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.

door, leaving us in a silence that

softened as he looked up at me, and he motioned

hell and back." He comments,

a lot to recover from."

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

can 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 it easier to open up to

I had always appreciated, the approachable Daryl who always had my back... and to think that he almost lost his

shaky breath, my mind

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 gut is telling me to run away from here and to never look back but physically,

was shocked at how quickly I had began to offload, feeling that he of all

me to shut up! My problems are minuscule

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

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

us all realise that none of that actually mattered now. Sure, Daryl had his moments,

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on with those you care

to just forgive and forget

father now being so hot on my tail due to

let me forget him...

just... it's hard to know where to even start," I admitted, meeting his gaze. "It's like every time I think that I have a grip on things, something

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

a deep breath,

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 a second to digest my words, nodding along to show that he was listening which I

at least give him 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

to hurt your feelings, b-but at

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