I Stopped Loving Him When He Let Me Bleed Out novel Chapter 453

Finn was slumped over the side of the bed, his head resting on one arm. His breathing was shallow, as if he had only just drifted off.

The morning sun spilled through the window, landing on his shoulder and highlighting the dark, dried blood staining his cuff.

It was her blood from last night.

Maeve didn't move.

She just lay there, staring at him. She watched him for so long that the sliver of sunlight crept across the room and widened into a glowing patch on the floor.

Finn's brow was slightly furrowed, a faint shadow of stubble coating his jaw.

He was hurt, too. The edge of a bandage peeked out from his left sleeve, covering a wound that still needed stitches.

Maeve's fingers slowly curled into tight fists beneath the blankets.

She thought of the dim amber light in the alley, and the raw, desperate way he had screamed, 'Mom.'

Her heart seized violently. She was terrified of the memory, yet she wanted to cling to it just a little longer.

Finn shifted and opened his eyes.

He lifted his head, saw her looking at him, and spoke in a raspy voice.

"You're awake? How are you feeling?"

Maeve averted her gaze, staring blankly at the IV drip. Her voice was flat and perfectly controlled.

"You don't need to stay here. I can hire a nurse."

Finn froze for a second.

"The nurse isn't here yet. I can look after you just fine."

"Look after me? Why?" Maeve turned her head to look at him, her eyes chillingly distant. "We are unrelated. You don't need to play the devoted son."

All the air was instantly sucked out of the room.

Finn felt as though his heart had been plunged into a bucket of ice water, sinking rapidly into the dark.

He stared at Maeve, his lips parting to speak, but he swallowed the words back down.

He didn't argue. He just lowered his head, swapped out the cold water on her nightstand for a fresh, warm glass, and set it within her reach.

"The doctor said you need to stay here for at least a week. I have to wait for some paperwork to clear anyway, so I'm in no rush."

Maeve closed her eyes, putting on a flawless mask of utter indifference.

But under the blankets, her fingernails dug painfully into her palms, slick with cold sweat.

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