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.

He looked at my cheek, his jaw tightening.

Rian hand came up, gently tilting my face toward him. His eyes moved over my cheek, and the warmth in his eyes disappeared. He turned to my father slowly.

“Did you hit her?”

“That's none of your concern.”

“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…”

Before I could even react, Rian’s fist slammed into 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.” His voice was still calm, like he hadn’t just punched someone.

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.”

“The world doesn’t reward softness, Rhea. One day you’ll understand that.”

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.” He held my gaze. “But you’re hurt, and I’m not walking away again.”

“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 before he could respond. Every step sent a dull ache through my ribs, but I kept walking. If I looked back, I knew I’d stop.

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

A warm trickle slid beneath my nose.

I froze.

No.

Not now.

I raised my fingers, and when I pulled them away, they were streaked with blood.

I pinched the soft part of my nose and leaned forward, closing my eyes.

“Rhea?”

I opened my eyes.

Nathan stood a few feet away in his white coat, a bouquet of daisies in one hand.

“Nathan.”

His expression changed the moment he noticed the blood.

“You’re bleeding.”

He was beside me in seconds, crouching until we were eye level.

“Keep leaning forward,” he said gently. “Don’t tilt your head back.”

“I know.” I managed a weak smile. “This happens sometimes.”

His brows drew together. “Has it been happening often?”

I shook my head. “Only when everything gets… too much.”

Concern settled deeper into his features. He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a neatly folded white handkerchief, and held it out to me.

“Thank you.” I took it from him and held it beneath my nose.

“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 really didn’t have to do that.”

“I was worried sick.”

“I… I didn’t mean to worry anyone.”

“You don’t have to explain.”His gaze dropped to the daisies in his hand. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be awake, but… I brought these for you.”

I took them. 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 brow knitted . “Rhea, what happened to your cheek?”

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

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

“No. Not Dave.”

“Then who?”

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

I bit down on my lower lip, trying to stop the familiar sting behind my eyes.

“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 us.