Shadows In Durango

Chapter 129

*****Sofia's POV*****

Seeing Daryl awake, hearing his voice - it was something I'd longed for since that night, after Ashton landed him here in that hospital bed...

But I had to admit, now that it was finally happening, the nerves were hitting me hard.

Emma opened the door quietly, and I stepped inside behind her, my heart pounding as I saw Daryl propped up in bed, his eyes half-open, a faint smile tugging at his lips when seeing the pair of us. Relief washed over me at the sight of him, more awake and alert compared to the first time we had both visited his room...

"Sofia," he rasped out, his voice weak but warm.

His gaze met mine, his eyes filled with that familiar mixture of warmth and strength that had always been Daryl since the day we first met.

I swallowed back a wave of emotion, forcing myself to stay steady as I walked closer to his bedside. "Daryl... you have no idea how good it is to see you awake again."

He managed a chuckle, though it sounded more like a soft cough. "Good to see you too. From the look on your face, I'm guessing you didn't think you'd see me awake like this, huh?"

"Not after what happened," I admitted, my voice shaking slightly. "Daryl, I... I can't even begin to say how sorry I am. If I hadn't have "

"No, stop." His voice held a faint edge of authority that only he could pull off, even now. "Whatever you're thinking, don't. I'd do it all over again if it meant freeing you from that nutcase." My chest tightened at his words.

Daryl had always been a person I could count on like a true brother that I had always wished for, unlike what I had actually got...

But seeing him lying there, his face pale and exhausted, brought a thick sense of guilt to me that I couldn't quite shake.

Regardless of what he said, I would still blame myself for him winding up here like he did...

Emma, sensing my nerves, cleared her throat and gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze. "I'll give you both a few minutes alone," she said softly, which I nodded, thankful for.

out of the door, leaving us in a silence

eyes softened as he looked up at me, and he

on while I've been out of it? It looks like you've been to hell and back." He comments, as I laugh dryly at the truth of

It's been... a lot to recover from." I hesitated, not knowing where to

explain everything that had happened since he'd been in here? The conversation I just had with Vincent that

can't just because I'm stuck

approachable Daryl who always had my back... and to think that he almost

a shaky breath, my

things are so messed up after I found out about the entire secret marriage deal. I want to forgive him, but I just feel like he's put me in so much

to offload, feeling that he of

through! Just tell me to shut up! My

shook his head, his hand lifting slightly before dropping back down, the movement slow but filled with resolve. "Sofia, don't do that," he said, his voice soft but steady. "Your problems aren't minuscule, and I don't want you holding back with me. You have every right to be

Daryl and I had spoke on good terms like this, with our friendship having been on the rocks due to his previous disagreements

actually mattered now. Sure, Daryl had his moments, but that certainly didn't make

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too short not to move on with those you care for... so perhaps forgiving

forgive and forget about

father now being

him... never... and that was my biggest

every time I think that I have a grip on things, something else

head, "I know, and none of this is fair on you, but you will be happy one day. Let's talk about it and maybe

took a deep breath, gathering

it. He's apologised for it way more times than I can count but the one thing I'm still worried about most is that my father now knows where I am... or at least, who I'm with. He's going to find me soon..." I lick my drying lips, my voice quiet

that. I also want to take this time to apologise to you for how I treated you that night at dinner. Truthfully, I was only pissed off because I finally realised that you chose him over

I never wanted to hurt

just didn't want to accept it. But I have now, and I'm prepared to get over it as long as we can stay good friends... and you know where I am if