Chapter 45
Milow
When the nurse came back with my dinner, she explained that my nose wasn’t broken, but that I’d just taken a hard enough hit for it to bleed a lot.
The swelling and bruising would fade over the next couple of weeks, she said, and the pain was already starting to ease because of the medication they had given me.
My right hand hurt the most. It was the one in the cast. She told me I’d fractured all four fingers, but that I would regain full use of them after keeping them immobilized for about a month.
My left hand wasn’t as bad. It was in a splint, but I could move my fingers a little without them hurting, and she assured me it would heal quickly if I held it still for a while.
After placing the food in front of me, she left the room. Wesley picked up the knife and fork and cut the chicken breast into small pieces. He smiled at me before spearing a bite and lifting it toward my mouth.
I let him feed me, and I appreciated his patience.
I felt tired and sore, and was grateful for the way he took care of me without making a big deal of it.
He stayed quiet, and I could tell he was searching for the right thing to say, weighing every word before letting it out.
I knew it wasn’t easy for him. It wasn’t easy for any of them to see me like this.
Still, I felt proud to belong to a family that stayed and showed up in the worst moments.
They loved hard and didn’t walk away when things hurt.
As I took another bite of the chicken and rice, Wesley drew in a slow breath, finally ready to speak.
“I don’t know why people are so cruel, or what drives them to want to hurt others,” he started, watching me with those pale eyes of his. “But I do know that someone as strong as you, with a heart as gentle and honest as yours, is rare.”
I kept my eyes on him, unable to look away, and unable to do anything but listen.
“You know… I’ve always known you were special.
From the very first day you became part of our family, something shifted for the better.
I was happy before Mom and Dad adopted you, I really was, but you…
” He stopped and drew in a shaky breath, his eyes shining now.
“You completed us. You filled in the space we didn’t even know was empty.
You were the missing piece, and I couldn’t have wished for a kinder or braver baby sister. ”
My brows pulled together as tears burned behind my eyes. I wanted to lift my hands and touch his face, but I couldn’t, so I just kept looking at him.
“And I know everyone else feels the same,” he continued quietly.
“You don’t see it, because you’re too busy worrying about everyone else, but we see you.
We see how hard you try to make everyone around you comfortable.
We see how much you give, and none of this happened because of who you are. It wasn’t your fault.”
His voice stayed firm, even as the tears started rolling down his cheeks.
“You matter, Milow. Your pain matters. And you don’t have to be strong for us all the time. We’ve got you.”
I swallowed hard as my throat started to burn.
It was that familiar pressure building the way it always did when too many feelings bubbled up inside of me, and my body begged for a sound to escape.
But like always, nothing came, and I was left forcing it all back down, trapping it inside my chest where it ached and lingered.
I looked at Wesley through the blur in my eyes, and at the way he was trying so hard to stay steady for me.
I felt that same pull I had felt my whole life.
Wesley was someone I watched and learned from without him ever realizing it.
I had grown up measuring myself against his kindness and patience, and the way he was always right there without needing to be asked.
If I knew how to be brave at all, it was because I had watched him do it first.
He wiped at his tears and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, letting out a slow breath as he pulled himself together.
“I love you, Milow, and I’m always here for you. No matter what, okay? Whenever you need me, for whatever you need me, I’m right here.”
I smiled and gave a small nod, then leaned in just enough to rest my forehead against his. He cupped the back of my head and held me there for a moment before pressing a soft kiss to my temple and pulling back. Then he picked the fork up again.
“Let’s finish this,” he said, sniffing as he lifted a forkful of chicken and rice. “Before it gets cold.”
He fed me the rest of the meal without rushing me.
When the plate was finally empty, he stood, set it on the table near the window, then folded the movable tray away and slid it to the side of the bed.
After that, he paused, looking around the room like he was checking that everything was in its place, and that I was safe.
Then his eyes came back to mine. “Do you want me to call Mom and Dad?”
I nodded immediately, my eyes brightening despite the heavy feeling in my heart. I missed them so badly it hurt, even though I feared what it would be like to see their faces when they walked in. They were going to look worried, but they would see that I was okay.
“Okay,” he said softly. “I’ll shoot them a text.”
I watched him type the message on his phone, and when he set it down again, he pulled the chair closer and sat back beside me. He reached out and rested his hand on my arm, gently brushing his thumb over my skin while his eyes searched my face.
I caught the flicker of amusement in his eyes, and I sat up a little straighter, wondering what he was thinking. “By the way…” he said, a small grin pulling at his mouth. “I won’t tell Mom and Dad about you and Ashby.”
My eyes widened instantly, heat rushing to my cheeks.
He let out a chuckle and leaned back slightly, keeping his hand on my arm.
“I’ve always known the two of you had a special bond,” he continued gently.
“Since you were little, you’ve been inseparable, always orbiting each other without even trying.
There’s always been this connection between you that kept pulling you back together, no matter what was happening around you. ”
I lowered my gaze, feeling that familiar urge to pick at the skin on my thumbs, only this time I couldn’t fall back into the habit. His smile was gentle when I looked back up at him.
He exhaled slowly, then added, “What you two have makes sense, and it’s so meaningful because it has been growing between you for years.
You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Tell Mom and Dad when you’re ready.
They’ll understand. But what matters is that you’re happy, and that you’re choosing something that feels right to you. ”
I pressed my lips together, nodding slowly as I soaked up his words. I felt a little weight being lifted off my shoulders, and having Wesley’s support meant everything to me.
Minutes later, the room was packed with my family, friends, and even their mothers, all offering me well-wishes and praising how strong I was. It was overwhelming.
When I glanced at Ashby standing next to my bed with his arms crossed, I could practically read his mind. He wanted me to rest and to have a calm evening, but I shot him a look to let him know I was fine.
They’d soon leave when visiting hours ended, but I appreciated each of them being here. Even Scottie, who should have been resting, had come. I couldn’t ask her how she was doing, but when I looked at her with a worried expression, she stepped closer and gently squeezed my shoulder.
“I’m fine, Milow,” she whispered with a smile. “Don’t worry about me.”
I nodded, but we both knew I’d still worry.
Stan came to stand beside Scottie, studying me closely. “So, I was thinking…” he started.
“That’s never good,” Wesley teased as Evie hid a laugh behind her hand.
Stan ignored him. “I should quit school and become your full-time bodyguard. I can make sure nobody ever hurts you again, and I’ll always be there with you.”
Nobody said anything at first. We all just watched him, amused and curious to hear how far he would take this.
“It’s not a bad idea, right? I have MMA training. I can take on anyone who even thinks about being mean to you. And it would be a real job, obviously. Gus would pay me.”
Dad snorted, crossing his arms. “That’s a generous offer, buddy. And completely unrealistic.”
“But I’m serious!” Stan protested, pointing at himself. “I’ll do it. Full-time. You can’t argue my loyalty and skill!”
“Oh, I’m not arguing your loyalty,” Dad said flatly, and the others all chuckled when he didn’t mention Stanley’s skills. He was teasing him. Their bickering made me smile and, for a moment, forget about everything that happened.
“Hey, I’m skilled,” Stan stated, puffing out his chest. “Tell them, Mommy.”
Chelsea laughed and patted Stan’s back before tugging at his sweater. “Yes, you’re my super-skilled boy,” Chelsea said, patting Stan’s shoulder and guiding him away from my bed. “But I’m not letting you quit school.”
“And Milow’s got all of us to protect her. Besides… we can’t cage her in,” Scottie said, her hand still on my shoulder, gently caressing me.
I smiled up at her, appreciating her encouragement. I knew Stan was trying to protect me, but I didn’t want him or any of them to give up their time and energy for me.
Stan sighed dramatically but pointed at me one last time. “I mean it, Milow. I’ll always protect you.”
I smiled, pressing my lips together tightly as I nodded.
One by one, they said their goodbyes, each of them squeezing my arm or brushing my hair back gently.
Mom and Dad lingered for a moment longer, making sure my water was filled up and my phone was in reach.
I wasn’t sure I would be able to use it tonight, but I could move my fingers on my left hand enough to maybe type a text or two.
After kissing my head and reassuring me that they’d be back first thing in the morning, they finally left the room.
Ashby stayed behind, and once the door clicked shut, he leaned in, cupping my face gently with both hands before pressing his lips to mine.
That’s what I’ve missed the most all day, and I smiled against his lips, not wanting him to pull away.
His kiss was careful, with his lips moving slowly against mine.
I felt a jolt deep down inside of me, and the overwhelming feelings crowding my chest made my head lighter.
He pulled back then, but his face stayed close. “I’ll be here first thing after school tomorrow,” he said softly, his eyes searching mine.
I nodded, letting myself lean into his touch. The simple motion carried all I couldn’t say.
“I hate leaving you here alone,” he continued, a sigh escaping him as he studied my face. “But you’re brave. You’re strong. I know you’ll be fine.”
I nodded again, smiling at him.
He pressed one more kiss to my lips, then another to my forehead. “I love you, Milow,” he whispered.
I closed my eyes and rested my forehead against his jaw, wanting to be as close to him as possible.
One of his hands moved into my hair, while the other stayed on the side of my face.
Taking a deep breath, I let him hold me for a moment longer.
And while the world around us held so much chaos, between us there was serenity.
__
I only spent two more days at the hospital before they finally sent me home.
The doctor had removed the splint from my left hand and told me my nose didn’t need to be taped at all, since there hadn’t been a fracture.
The swelling and bruising were going down well, and while I still had to keep the cast on my right hand, it hadn’t been as uncomfortable as I’d feared.
The ache was manageable with the medication they gave me.
Since I couldn’t use my right hand, I fingerspelled with my left instead, and even though it made everything slower and more tiring, everyone was patient with me, letting me take the time I needed to be understood.
I went back to school on the 10th of November, only a week after it happened.
Mom and Dad kept me home for the rest of the week after I was released, insisting I needed time, even though I worried about falling behind.
But in the end, I was grateful for it, because the thought of walking those halls so soon after everything had happened made me anxious.
Scottie told me the atmosphere felt strange, and nothing felt normal anymore after everyone found out what had happened.
Yesterday was the most uncomfortable day I could remember.
Everywhere I went, people stared. I had Ashby, Scottie, and Stan with me between classes and during breaks, which helped a lot, but every time I lifted my head, I caught someone looking at me with an expression I couldn’t quite place.
Some faces held pity, others curiosity, and some just didn’t know what to do with me at all.
Not that they ever did. I had always been the weird girl.
I tried not to let the stares get under my skin, forcing myself to keep my focus on my classes, even when it felt like the whole building was watching me breathe.