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.

in a silence that was

looked up at me, and he motioned weakly for me to

what's been going 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 his statement - I looked a damn

lot to recover

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

what it is that's bothering you, Sofia, don't think you can't just because I'm stuck in here..." Daryl said gently, watching me with

who always had my back... and to think that he almost lost his life trying

took a shaky breath, my mind

Vincent... he's trying to help, but 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 danger. My

had began to offload, feeling that he of all people somehow deserved to know the truth of how

I'm bombarding you and look at what you've been through! Just tell me to shut up! My problems are minuscule compared to yours!" I babble out suddenly, pushing my hair

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 upset - I was too when I found out about what

since Daryl and I had spoke on good terms like this, with our

actually mattered now. Sure,

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quickly realised that life is far too short not to move on with those

best to just forgive and forget

being so hot on

let me forget him...

that I have a grip on things, something else just... spirals. I've only ever wanted to be happy Daryl and it seems like I'm the unluckiest

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 you'll feel better? Just start wherever you want to."

took a deep breath, gathering

don't know what to do about 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

take this time to apologise to you for how I treated you

hurt your feelings, b-but

Daryl laughs, waving a weak hand to shut me up before speaking- "Don't apologise for it. I've accepted now that you have romantic feelings for him, and truthfully, I've known that for a long time but I 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 you ever get sick of him too!" He