DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 151

Red Flag 151

Scarlett

The words hung in the air like a blade pressed against my heart.

I stared at Viktor, my voice barely above a whisper, tears already spilling down my cheeks.

“You… you don’t really remember me?”

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He looked at me with that same polite, distant confusion, his eyes gentle but empty of any recognition. My chest squeezed so tightly I thought it might crack open.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly, his voice calm and sincere. “No…. I don’t.”

The room tilted. I felt my knees weaken as fresh tears blurred my vision. Before I could say anything else, his parents slowl approached the bed, their faces pale with worry.

His mother reached out a trembling hand and touched his arm. “Viktor, honey… do you remember us?” Her voice cracked. “Do… you remember us?”

He looked from her to his father, then back to me, his expression still blank.

“No,” he replied quietly. “I don’t. Who are you all?”

My eyes widened in horror. A choked sob escaped my throat. His parents froze, their faces draining of color. His father took a shaky step back, his voice thick with panic.

“I… I should go call the doctor. What is happening?”

He turned toward the door, but Viktor’s voice stopped him instantly.

“Wait, Dad!”

His father turned around, hope and fear mixing in his eyes.

Viktor looked at all of us for a long second… then a soft, familiar laugh slipped from his lips.

“How would I forget any of you?” he said, the corners of his mouth lifting into that shy smile I knew so well. “I remember you all.”

For a heartbeat, the room was completely silent.

Then his mother let out a gasp. “Oh my God! You scared us!” She pressed a hand to her chest, half-laughing, half-crying. “Don’t joke like that anymore!”

“Sorry, Mom,” Viktor apologized, still smiling weakly, though I could see the exhaustion in his eyes.

Relief crashed over me so hard that the tears I’d been holding back came rushing out even harder. Loud, ugly sobs tore from my chest. I couldn’t stop them. All the fear, the guilt, and the weeks of praying by his bedside it all poured out at

once.

—

Viktor’s expression changed instantly. Without hesitation, he reached for me and pulled me into his arms, hugging me tightly against his chest.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered into my hair, his voice warm and full of regret. “I’m so sorry, Scarlett.”

How could he?

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The relief twisted into something sharper. I pulled back from his hug, my hands flying to his chest as I hit him several times. with my fists, not hard enough to hurt, but hard enough to release the storm inside me.

“How could you?” I snapped between sobs, my voice breaking. “How could you joke around like that? I thought… Ithought I’d lost you forever! I thought you didn’t remember me!”

His mother cleared her throat gently, wiping her own tears. “We’ll… excuse you two,” she said softly. She took her husband’s arm and guided him toward the door. “Take all the time you need.”

The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Viktor and me completely alone.

The moment we were alone, he didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his arms around me again, pulling me even tighter this time, one hand cradling the back of my head while the other rubbed soothing circles on my back.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered again, his voice low and sincere against my ear. “I didn’t mean to scare you like that. I just… I woke up and saw how worried everyone looked. I wanted to lighten the mood a little. It was a stupid joke. Forgive me?”

I buried my face in his chest, still crying, but the anger was already melting away into pure, overwhelming relief. His heartbeat was steady under my cheek – real, alive, and here.

He was really here.

And he remembered me.

I clung to him, letting the tears fall freely now, no longer fighting them. For the first time in weeks, the heavy weight of guilt and fear began to lift, even if just a little.

Viktor held me closer, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of my head.

“I’m here, Scarlett,” he murmured softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Viktor pulled away just enough to look at me, his eyes soft and warm. For a moment, the whole world narrowed down to just the two of us.

“I missed you so much,” he whispered, his voice low and full of emotion.

A fresh waye of tears threatened to spill, but this time they were happy ones. “Me too,” I replied, my voice shaky. “I missed

you too.”

He started leaning closer, his gaze dropping to my lips. I couldn’t help the soft chuckle that escaped me. I cupped his face gently with both hands and guided him the rest of the way, pressing my lips to his in a soft, careful kiss. He was still recovering, after all.

When I pulled back slightly, I smiled against his lips. “You were about to kiss my nose.”

He chuckled, the sound a little embarrassed, and rubbed the back of his head. “Guess I still need those glasses.”

“It’s my fault your glasses got damaged,” I said quietly, guilt flickering in my chest again.

Viktor shook his head immediately. “It’s fine. I had to save you no matter what.”

Before I could respond, the door suddenly opened. Rose stepped inside, looking relieved but a little hesitant.

“I got a call that you were fine,” she said, walking over to the bed. “Thank goodness. I am so glad you’re okay.”

She reached out and held his hands warmly. Viktor blinked at her, confusion clear on his face.

“Sorry… but who are you?”

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Rose’s eyes widened in shock. “What?”

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I couldn’t help it – I slapped his back lightly, trying not to laugh through the lingering tears. “He remembers you. He’s just been pulling our legs since he woke up.”

Rose let out a surprised laugh and shook her head. “Anyway, I am so sorry for barging in on you two lovebirds. I’d better take my leave now.”

I only smiled at her, grateful for how gracefully she was handling everything. As she slipped out and closed the door behind her, the room fell quiet again. Just us.

“Rose is actually nice,” I confessed softly. “I must admit that.”

“I know, right?” Viktor nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.

”

”

‘,

Then silence settled between us – comfortable, but heavy with everything we still needed to say.

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