Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53

“Yeah. But after twenty–four hours, it’s fine.” He pulled a bandage out of his pocket and motioned me into the bathroom. “We can take this off after you’re done with your shower.“.

I didn’t say a word, simply stepped forward and tilted my head to give Anson better access to my cheek. His large hands were remarkably gentle as he carefully smoothed the bandage over my face. Then he bent and pulled out a set of towels. “These are clean. I’ll get you a T–shirt and sweats that you can sleep in.”

“Thank you.” My voice was barely above a whisper, but I couldn’t seem to get it any louder.

He stepped out of the bathroom, and Knox stepped forward. Ilis hand ghosted over my unmarred cheek. “You’ll be okay. You’re so damn

strong.”

I knew I would be okay, that I’d made it through worse and I would make it through this too. But sometimes I didn’t want to have to be strong. Right now, I wanted to fall apart. To sink into that dark abyss I felt hovering below me.

Anson wove his way around Caspian and Lucas, setting a pile of clothes on the counter. “They’ll be big on you, but the sweats have a drawstring.” He cleared his throat. “Do you need help?”

Caspian’s eyes flared. “I think she can handle this part on her own.”

“I’ve got it,” I cut in before an argument could start. “Thank you.”

The guys slowly filed out of the bathroom, closing the door behind them. Their muted voices filtered through the door, but I shut the sound out. I didn’t want to hear their concern or pity. I didn’t want to hear anything at all. I moved to the shower large enough to fit twenty and turned the

water to hot.

Slowly, I peeled off my clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor. My muscles screamed with each movement. Only my face was truly injured, yet it felt as if I’d been hit everywhere.

I opened the door to the shower and stepped inside. The hot water scalded my skin, but I welcomed it, letting it pour over my face and down my body. I watched it swirl around the drain, streaked with red.

The red of the blood washed away. Yet, somehow, I knew it would always stain my skin. The world wouldn’t see it running down my face, caking my neck, but I would. Evidence of my mother’s hatred.

A sob tore free as I dropped to the floor. I pulled my knees to my chest and held them tight, rocking back and forth. The woman who had loved and cared for me almost all my life now despised me with everything she had in her.

Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the water of the shower. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. The pain. The grief. The loss of what once was.

Sobs rocked my body with a violence I’d never experienced before. I struggled to suck in air, my lungs refusing to obey my commands.

A knock sounded on the door. “Senna? Are you okay?” Riverasked.

I couldn’t get any words out as I sputtered and wheezed.

“Ro?” His voice was more urgent now.

My fingers began to tingle and dark spots danced across my vision, but my sobs didn’t stop. It felt as if I was having a heart attack. Maybe this was the end. I’d cease to be from a broken heart.

The door opened a crack, but I couldn’t make anything out through the steamed glass. I heard a muttered curse, and then the door to the shower swung open. I couldn’t find it in me to worry about my nakedness.

—Markod Me First!

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Chapter 53

“Ro.” Lucas‘ voice cracked as he sank to the tiled floor. He pulled me into his lap and wrapped his arms around me

“What the hell is going on?” Knox barked.

“Turn off the water and get me a towel,” Rivershot back.

Knox did as instructed, shutting off the shower and wrapping a towel around me as I struggled to breathe.

Riverput one hand on my non–injured cheek and the other on my neck, letting out a grunt as he did. “Let it go. You have to release it, Ro. It’ll kill you if you don’t.”

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