Rian

“You're not allowed in here,” Dave said. “Only two visitors at a time…”

“Then get the fuck out.” His voice was flat.

“Riri?”

I couldn't answer. Tears were streaming down my face. I touched my cheek. It was burning.

Rian hand came up, gentle, tilting my face toward him. His eyes moved over my cheek, and something in his expression went cold.

He turned to my father slowly.

“Did you hit her?”

“That's none of your concern…”

“Did you hit her?” His voice was deadly low now.

“Stay out of this, Rian. This is between me and my daughter…”

“She's in a hospital bed!” Rian's hands clenched into fists at his sides. “She was in a car accident fifteen hours ago. And you hit her?”

“She was disrespecting her mother's memory…”

“So you hit her?” Rian took a step toward my father. “You hit your daughter? While she's… it's taking everything in me not to put you on the ground right now.”

“How dare you speak to your father that way…”

“You're not my father!” He spat. “She is your daughter! Your blood! And you treat her like this?” He gestured at me. “Right after she crashed her car? Because of this bastard?” He pointed at Dave.

“Watch your mouth,” Dave said, stepping closer. “You think you can just…”

Shivers ran down my spine as his fist connected with Dave’s jaw.

Dave hit the floor with a grunt.

“Rian!” My father's voice cracked.

But Rian didn't look at him. He turned to me, extending his hand. “Come on, Riri. Let's go.”

I didn't hesitate. I took his hand.

He helped me up slowly, carefully, his other hand supporting my elbow.

“Where are you taking her?” My father demanded.

“Anywhere that's not here.” Rian’s voice was cold. “Because this place stinks of you and this fool’s bullshit.”

Dave was getting to his feet, touching his jaw. He moved toward us.

Rian shifted, putting himself between Dave and me. “Touch her and you'll be the one in that bed. Try me.”

My father grabbed Dave’s arm to hold him back.

I looked at my father one last time. “You're going to regret this.”

His face was stone. “The only thing I regret is that your mother made you soft.”

The words lodge deep in my chest.

Rian's hand tightened around mine. “Let's go.”

As we reached the hallway, I pulled my hand free.

He stopped, turned to face me. “What’s wrong?”

“I can take care of myself.” The words came out sharper than I intended. “You don’t need to do all this.”

“Do what? Help you?”

“You can’t just swoop in and play knight in shining armor after what you did five years ago.”

He flinched. “You’re right. I fucked up. But I’m here now, and I’m trying to help…”

“I don’t want your help.” I blurted out. “I don’t need you to rescue me. I’ll handle this myself.”

“How?” His voice rose slightly. “You have a concussion, bruised ribs, and….”

“That’s my problem. Not yours.” I cut in.

I turned and walked away before he could respond, my legs shaking with every step.

I found a chair near the nurses’ station and collapsed into it. My whole body was trembling now—from pain, from exhaustion, from everything.

I pressed my palms against my eyes.

Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t….

“Rhea?”

I looked up.

Nathan stood there in his white coat, a bouquet of daisies in one hand. Concern was written all over his face.

“Nathan.”

He crouched in front of me so we were eye level and pulled me into a hug. I leaned in while inhaling scented soap.

“When the call dropped last night, I thought…” He stopped, shook his head. “I’ve been checking on you every hour since they brought you in.”

Something in my chest cracked. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Don’t say that Rhea.” He released me from his arms. “I was so worried.” His face etched with concern.

I…I just don’t want to… you know…”

“It’s fine, Rhea.” He handed me the flowers. “These are for you.”

I took them, my fingers brushing his. The daisies were bright yellow, cheerful, so at odds with everything I was feeling. “Thank you. For the flowers. For calling 911. For…” My voice broke. “For saving my life.”

“Anyone would have done the same.”

“No.” I shook my head. “Not anyone. You did.”

He smiled, but it faded as his eyes moved over my face. His expression darkened. “Rhea , what happened to your cheek?”

I touched it without thinking. “It’s nothing…”

“That’s a handprint.” His voice went flat. “Someone hit you. Who? Dave?”

“No. Not Dave.”

“Then who…”

“Does it matter?” I looked away. “It’s done.”

“It matters to me.” He was still crouched in front of me, “Rhea, talk to me. What’s going on?”

Before I could answer, footsteps approached.