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.

the door, leaving us in a silence

up at me, and he motioned

on while I've been out of it? It looks like you've been to hell and back." He comments,

to

been in here? The conversation I just had with Vincent that left

tell me 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 an understanding that made

had my back... and

took a shaky breath, my

marriage deal. I want to forgive him, but I just feel like he's put me in so much danger. My gut is telling me to run away from here and to never look back but physically, I can't. I don't want to leave this place... to

that he of all people somehow deserved to

look at what you've been through! Just tell me to shut up! My

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

I had spoke on good terms like this, with our friendship having been

made us all realise that none of that actually mattered now. Sure, Daryl had his moments, but that certainly didn't make him a

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short not to move on with those

best to just forgive

now being so hot on my tail due

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

to even start," I admitted, meeting his gaze. "It's like every time I think that I have a grip on things, something else just... spirals. I've

"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." His voice had that familiar strength I knew so well, even as he lay there

took a deep breath, gathering

back today... with contacting my father... and to cut a long story short, I'm really hurt over it all and I 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 I am... or at least, who I'm with. He's going to find me soon..." I lick my drying lips, my voice quiet when discussing my father out in the open. Daryl takes

done Sofia, but I do think now that it was only coming from a good place - I'll at least give him that. I also want to take this time to apologise

Daryl I never wanted to hurt your

carry on, 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