He Didn’t Kidnap Me. Not Exactly novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182

{Daisy’s POV)

The moment I saw Mabel standing in the doorway, every pleasant thought in my head immediately packed its bags and left.

For several seconds, nobody spoke. Mabel simply stood there staring while her gaze moved from me to DeLuca, then back to me again before returning to DeLuca. The longer she remained silent, the harder my heart seemed to pound against my ribs.

I had spent months avoiding this exact situation.

Every strange excuse, every awkward exit, every time I had slipped away before Mabel could ask questions or make connections had been for the sole purpose of preventing this moment from eyer happening.

And now it was happening.

Worse, it was happening on a day when I couldn’t even run.

I was lying in a hospital bed with enough wires attached to me to qualify as medical equipment, while Mabel stood in front of me looking as though she had just discovered the earth wasn’t round after all.

The silence continued stretching between us, and I became painfully aware of the fact that everyone in the room had noticed it. Aria tooked confused. Archer looked confused. Even the nurses seemed uncertain about whether they should remain in the room or quietly excuse themselves.

Meanwhile, Mabel’s attention remained fixed on DeLuca and me as though she were trying to solve a puzzle. Her eyes kept moving between us, taking in details she hadn’t been present to witness before.

DeLuca was sitting beside my bed. DeLuca had been close enough to touch me. And DeLuca had been looking at me with a softness I still wasn’t entirely convinced was real. I could practically see the realization forming inside her head as each piece slowly locked into place.

Then her breathing changed.

At first it was subtle enough to ignore. A little heavier and a little quicker. But within moments it became impossible to miss.

“Mabel?” Aria asked carefully.

Mabel didn’t answer.

Her gaze remained fixed on me. Then…

“You!”

The single word landed like a thrown stone, and my stomach immediately dropped. Dread spread through me so quickly that it almost felt physical. I didn’t need anyone to explain what was happening. I knew exactly what was happening.

Mabel was putting the pieces together.

But please not now. Not here. Not when I can’t even get out of this bed.

Mabel took another step forward, and when she spoke again, her voice cut sharply through the room.

“What the hell is this?!” She demanded and I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

The truth was that I didn’t even know where to begin. How exactly was I supposed to explain this situation when I barely understood it myself?

How was I supposed to explain DeLuce sitting beside my hospital bed? How was I supposed to explain the fact that he’d been touching my face seconds ago? There wasn’t a version of this conversation that ended well.

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