PART 5 CHAPTER 181 JESS

I woke to the sound of steady beeping, the harsh scent of antiseptic filling the air. My eyelids felt heavy, my body even heavier, but something

soft and warm was holding my hand. I blinked, my vision slowly coming into focus, and when I looked down, I saw Laura sitting next to me, her head resting on the bed, fast asleep.

Her hand gripped mine tightly as if she'd been afraid to let go. Across the room, my mom was in a chair, her arms folded across her chest as she dozed off, dark circles under her eyes.

The hospital room was dimly lit, the only light coming from a small lamp near the door. Just great, I was back here. I shifted slightly, wincing at the dull ache in my leg and ribs. My throat felt like sandpaper, but I didn't want to wake anyone yet. Gently, I slipped my hand out from Laura's grip and slowly sat up, testing my body's limits.

"Come on, Jess. You've survived worse," I whispered to myself, though my body disagreed with every movement.

"The last time I want to see this hospital. They should be giving me fucking shares by now," I mumbled to myself.

I reached over and nudged Laura's shoulder softly, trying not to startle her, but she jumped up like I'd hit her with a jolt of electricity. Her eyes widened, blinking as if she couldn't believe what she saw.

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PARTS CHAPTER 181.

Then, without warning, she screamed, "She's awake! Oh my God, you're awake! I mean-you're awake! How are you feeling?!"

208 Wouchers

Before I could answer, Laura lunged forward and threw her arms around me, squeezing tightly. My ribs screamed in protest, and I groaned under the weight of her enthusiastic hug.

"I might need a second recovery, I teased, grimacing through the pain. "I think you just cracked a rib."

mother stirred in the chair across the room, rubbing her eyes. The next thing I knew, she was rushing over, her arms wrapping around me, too, tears already streaming down her cheeks. "Oh, honey. I'm so happy you

her a reassuring smile, though my body still felt like it had been run over by a truck. My mom pulled back,

flopped back down in her chair, her expression a mix of exhaustion and

to walk out of

I said, waiting patiently for her

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PART 5 CHAPTER 101

letting out a breath she'd clearly been holding. "But I don't know

enroll you in a nunnery. mean, seriously, men are just not your thing. Have you considered becoming a lesbian? Paris has plenty of beautiful women

absurdity, laughing

a grin. "Good try, though. I think the nunnery is more my style. Maybe I'll

if anyone could pull

laughed again, but the sound was cut short by a sharp twinge in my side. Laura caught the grimace that crossed my face and immediately stopped,

tone dropping. "You scared the shit out of us. I mean, Josh was ready to

Luke? Was IUke ready to tear down anything for

swallowed hard, memories of Bryan flashing through my mind like fragments of a nightmare. His hands around my throat, the darkness closing in, the sound

came rushing back, too fast, too raw. I closed my eyes, trying to push it back, but the weight of it still sat heavy in my

don't know," I whispered. "It's all kind

PARTS CHAPTER 181

don't have to talk about it right now. Just... take your

looked over at my mom, who was still on the phone, pacing near the window, and then back

out?" I asked quietly, my voice trembling a little more than I

out, but you were unconscious most of the time. They had to sedate you after they brought you in. You were fighting the nurses and even the doctor. You have a good right hook, Jess." I bit my lip, trying

him. I mean, I know I lost my memories, but I should have known. I fucking should have known." I mumbled more to myself than to

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