Chapter 222EdenThe world is hazy as I struggle to open my eyes. It's extremely difficult but I fight against the fatigue plaguing my body. The last thing I can remember is feeling like shit at the shop. Correction, I'd been feeling rough for a few days, but there'd been no way I could take time off or close early. A Whole Latte Love has been barely making it since I opened a few months ago, but business is finally starting to become consistent. The money I managed to bring with me from Chicago has quickly been running out. If only I'd planned to get more. I'd been debating on what my choices were with the shop when I started to believe I was really sick. And then I'd panicked because I'd been alone.No wait, Devante was there. He was there, and I'd ridden in the ambulance.There's a beep, beep, beep, in the background and I wonder if this has all been a dream of some sort and I've slept through my alarm. If I have, I'm late for opening, and I can't afford that. With a burst of

Chapter 224Eden I'm back in that weird space again. Where everything reminds me of a dream, but also feels as if it's staying still. I can't remember how long I've been here or what I'm doing. There's that annoying beeping again. The one that continues in a rhythm, almost like a song I've heard before. I can't place it though, that's what keeps bothering me. It's on the tip of my tongue and I can't seem to make it work.My mouth is dry as the desert and I want nothing more than a drop of water. My eyelids are heavy as I fight against their weight to open them. It's almost too much for me to do, but I keep going. If I can pool together all my strength, I can do it, I know I can."Eden?" It's a voice I recognize. But my mouth is so dry I can't seem to make it work. "Eden?" The voice says again. "You okay?"No, no I'm not okay. I'm thirsty, and I'm scared. I can't remember what the hell happened to me, and instinctively I know I'm in a foreign place. Where am I?In my mind I'v

Chapter 226Eden"You're going to have to have surgery."The doctor's words echo in my brain as I try to make them sink in. I've never had surgery before, and I'm immediately scared shitless. "Are you sure? There's nothing else that can be done? Like some more medicine or something?"He gives me an almost condescending smile. "If there were, we would have already done it. I'm afraid this is what's going to have to happen. If we don't get it out soon, we'll be right back where we started. Right now we've got the inflammation down and the infection under some semblance of control. Waiting or trying something else will take us a step back and could lead to sepsis. Which means it would poison your body, and then it would worse than you could even imagine. I'm talking ICU or maybe death," he stops to let that sink in. And the pregnant pause does its job. "Okay, I get what you're saying. How much longer will I need to be in here?""Depends on what we find when we get inside. When we'

Chapter 228Eden"Eden, wake up."I recognize the voice. Someone who comes in for coffee at the shop, but it also seems more familiar than that. "C'mon Eden, you're out of surgery."Surgery? What did I have surgery on? Then it all comes flooding back. The pain I'd felt for days, trying to make it through so I could keep making money. Devante finding me at the shop, and then bringing me to the hospital. Him not leaving my side since this started, and being everything I've needed him to be.With a gasp, I surface from underneath whatever was keeping me down."There you are."Karsyn is standing over me. Not long ago she took a job here, and I don't think I've ever been so happy to see someone in my life. Knowing the face staring back at me is a relief. "Am I okay?" I sob unexpectedly."Aww, you're fine." She pushes back my hair. "Do you want a cool washcloth for your face?"I nod, trying to keep my chin from wobbling, my teeth from chattering. "What's happening to me?""Is

Chapter 230EdenWaking up today is much harder than it was yesterday, because I already feel how sore I am, and Devante is saying words.Words that are annoying me."Eden, open those pretty eyes."I push at where I think his voice is coming from. "Noooo," I groan."C'mon, are you okay?""Annoyed," I mumble.He chuckles loudly. "Are you not a morning person?"Opening my eyes, I glare at him. "Not until after I've had my first cup of coffee," I sigh. "Usually you don't see me until after two." "I was starting to wonder if I'd need to pull out the smelling salts.""Are those really a thing?" I ask, turning my head to the side. "I've only ever heard of them in old movies.""They are." He reaches out, putting his palm on my forehead. "Just making sure you don't have a fever.""Am I good?" I grumble, wrinkling my nose at him.Even though he's annoyed my slumber, I'm still thankful I woke up next to him. Here, I feel safe. Safer than I've felt in years. Last night I slept lik