“You piece of shit! Who told you to hit her with that truck! If something happens to her, I’ll kill you myself!“]

I woke up to Dominic yelling at someone.]]

The second he saw I was awake, his whole face lit up.]

He rushed over and grabbed my hand, his voice shaking:

“Lauren, you scared the hell out of me. I thought I was gonna lose you…”

“Why didn’t you move out of the way? Don’t you know how much it would hurt me if something happened to you?“]]

I couldn’t hide the bitter smile on my face.

Dominic, why don’t you think about it–how the hell was I supposed to get out of the way?]

Before I could even cry, he pulled out some chicken soup and brought it to my

lips:

“Lauren, you’ve taken care of me for so long. Finally I get to take care of you for once.“]

He looked so serious.]

Like he was really crazy about me.]]

Like he was this grateful, amazing guy.]]

But…

The same guy who was screwing Sophia on the bed next to mine while I was half–conscious–that was him too!]

They were so damn loud.[]

Like they wanted the whole building to hear them.]]

If my eyelids weren’t this damn heavy, I swear the second I pried them open, I’d be staring right at that sickeningly filthy mess.[]

But now…

The soup touched my lips.[]

Cold as my tears.

All of a sudden.]

My throat started closing up.

I looked at that bowl, my instincts kicking in:[]

“Dominic, what the hell did you put in this…“]

He looked totally lost, staring at me all worried:[]

“Just chicken soup, with some mushrooms and veggies…“[]

I stared at him, feeling hopeless.[]

My face was turning red. I couldn’t breathe at all.

Dominic.

After all these years, you don’t even remember I’m deathly allergic to mushrooms.

While he was freaking out, a nurse came running in:]

“Mr. Sterling! You need toe quick! Miss Sophia, she… she pricked her finger on the roses you sent.,.“]]

“What?!“]

Just like that.

Dominic forgot I even existed.]

He was halfway out the door when he finally remembered me lying there, basically choking to death.]

“Lauren! Just wait a sec, I’ll be right back!“]

Then he turned to everyone else:]

“Get all the doctors! Check on Sophia! She cares so much about how she looks don’t let her get any scars!“]

And there I was, forgotten in that room…]]

Breathing got harder and harder. Everything was going ck.]

I curled up on the bedb, /bfeeling like someone was cutting my throat with a dull knife.b[/bb] /b

I tried to hit the emergency button, but he’d been in such a rush that he’d ripped the cord out.

I was like a fish drowningb, /bjust watching my world fall apart.]

Tears wouldn’t stop falling.]

All these years hurt so damn much…]

I shut my eyes, hopeless, bracing for death to hit any second.[]

But some doctor who was pissed at Dominic bfor /bmaking such a big deal walked by my roomte and saw something was wrong.]

They shouted as they ran–shoving past Dominic even though bhe /btried to bstop /bthem, and scrambled over to save me…]