28 | When I look at you
28 | when I look at you
CARA
A collective sigh of relief swept through us. I felt as if I were floating, the immense burden that had been pressing on my chest suddenly lifted. Overwhelmed with joy, tears streamed anew down my cheeks.
He was awake. William was awake.
‘Oh, thank God,’ Daphné said, her voice trembling with emotion. ‘How is he?’
Dr Patel scanned our group, her gaze lingering on each face. ‘Are all of you William’s family?’
‘No, some of us are friends,’ John replied, rising to stand. He wrapped an arm around Daphné’s shoulders in a protective embrace.
‘I see.’ Dr Patel’s face clouded over with apology, the space between her brows creasing. ‘Given the sensitive nature of this case and the security concerns involved, I will only share details with immediate family members and a woman named Cara Jane Darby.’
Daphné’s eyes swept over us, signalling with a subtle gesture. ‘Well, as you’re already aware, I’m William’s mother. John here is his father, Jason is his brother, and this is Cara Darby.’
Dr Patel’s expression tightened slightly. ‘I’m sorry to ask, but can you show me your IDs? With the suspected criminal element in William’s situation, we must adhere to strict protocols regarding who we allow near him.’
I quickly dug through my purse, my hands trembling as I pulled out my wallet. Jason, Daphné, and John also presented their IDs.
‘Thank you,’ Dr Patel said, handing them back. ‘Please, come with me.’
She led us into another room that ensured privacy. Turning to Daphné, she said, ‘I understand you’re a doctor.’
‘Yes, an oncologist,’ Daphné confirmed.
‘I see. Please let me know if anything I say is unclear.’
We all nodded, the tension palpable as we braced ourselves to hear more about William’s condition.
‘As I said, William has regained consciousness and is responding well, all things considered. However, he’s sustained a significant blunt trauma to the left side of his frontal bone, resulting in a closed, linear skull fracture. We have conducted a CT scan to evaluate the extent of the damage and, fortunately, the results indicate that no surgical intervention is required; the fracture should heal naturally. Nevertheless, he does have a concussion and currently has no memory of the incident. Additionally, he has broken three ribs and two false ribs – one rib and one false rib on the left side, and the others on his right.’
My stomach churned as she listed each injury, the room seeming to spin slightly with each word. Daphné brought her hands to her mouth in shock, while John and Jason turned pale, their lips parting slightly in distress.
Dr Patel continued, ‘He’s also fractured the ulna in his right forearm and will need to be in a cast for the next four to six weeks. He’s got a black eye as well, although we’ve found no issues with his vision.’
She paused, scanning our faces, her expression sombre. ‘Furthermore, he was stabbed in the left bicep, just below the shoulder. The wound was approximately two inches deep and severed his cephalic vein. Due to the blood loss, we had to perform a blood transfusion, but he’s been stitched up now.’
The room felt oppressively silent as we grappled with the severity of William’s injuries. I tried to breathe, to find steadiness, but it felt as if the ground beneath me shifted. Each detail added layers to a nightmare that seemed to tighten around my chest, making it hard to draw air.
‘Is that everything?’ Daphné asked, and she sounded ill. Faint.
Dr Patel hesitated. ‘Based on his injuries, it appears William was defending himself when he was stabbed. His head injury likely occurred afterwards. The paramedics suspect that his head was forcefully slammed into the basin, possibly several times. But, despite these severe injuries, I can say that his overall health is excellent.’
John stared at her, contemplative. ‘Do you think it’s possible that his assailant meant to kill him?’
Dr Patel looked uncertain, her eyebrows curving down. ‘It’s possible, but difficult to determine. We usually see injuries like these when there’s a lot of rage involved. Sometimes, that rage stems from a desire to kill. Other times, it’s merely a desire to cause harm. Typically, if someone intends to kill, especially when there’s a chance of being interrupted, they wouldn’t waste time inflicting such extensive injuries first. So, it’s tricky to determine whether his assailant was aiming to kill him and got stalled by William defending himself, or if the intent was merely to cause harm.’
‘Have you reported this to the police?’ John asked.
‘Not yet. But I’ll tell them exactly what I just told you so they can take it into account during their proceedings.’
‘Good.’
Dr Patel adjusted her posture slightly, her expression thoughtful. ‘If William regains any memories of the attack, he might be able to provide some clarity as to how the situation unfolded. That would help the detectives and the prosecutors to establish whether there was intent to kill.’
John shook his head, looking regretful. ‘As you’re likely aware, proving intent to kill in court, based solely on Will’s account and his injuries, will be nearly impossible.’ He crossed his arms, his demeanour indicating scepticism. ‘Given the evidence at hand, charging his assailant with attempted murder might be overreaching. It’s more probable he’ll face a charge of grievous bodily harm under section 18.’
‘Section 18?’ Jason echoed.
‘Wounding with intent,’ John explained. ‘You can get life imprisonment for that.’
‘I bloody hope so!’ Jason exclaimed.
John shook his head again. ‘In this case it’s unlikely he’ll get that sentence.’
Jason scowled, his frustration palpable. ‘Why?’
John waved a hand in the air. ‘I’m not a criminal law expert, but I know it depends on several factors, such as the extent of William’s injuries, whether Oliver is deemed a general danger to society, his criminal record, and whether he deliberately sought William out. Basically, it’s complicated. But he’s likely to serve a good few years at least.’
Dr Patel brushed away a lock of raven hair that had escaped her ponytail. ‘Fortunately, William’s assailant was interrupted in the nick of time – William will recover. However, we’ll be keeping him under observation in the intensive care unit for another three days to guard against infection and to monitor his head injury. After that, he’ll need to be transferred to another hospital that can offer the extended care he requires.’
Nodding, Jason folded his arms. ‘Has he said anything since he woke up?’
Dr Patel’s gaze flickered briefly toward me. ‘He’s asked what happened and where he is. After we explained to the best of our ability, he asked about Cara. He was worried she’d been harmed as well.’
I froze, my breath hitching in my throat. Words failed me; I was completely overtaken by the realisation that, amidst his own pain and confusion, William’s thoughts had turned to me. My heart swelled painfully with concern and love, the emotions surging through me with overwhelming force.
‘Oh, Cara,’ Daphné said softly, rubbing my back. ‘He’ll be so relieved to see you safe and sound.’
Dr Patel gave me a reassuring smile before addressing everyone. ‘You’re welcome to see him now, but I must insist that only two of you go in at a time, per the hospital’s rules. The rest of you will need to wait your turn to visit, which won’t be until tomorrow at the earliest. And please, be very gentle with him – he’s still experiencing some confusion.’
‘Only two?’ Jason frowned with disappointment. ‘Please, Dr Patel. Will would want to see all of us.’
She hesitated, her pause igniting a flicker of hope in me.
‘Can’t you make an exception?’ Jason implored. ‘Just for a few minutes. Ten, tops.’
Daphné gestured to Jason as she looked pleadingly at Dr Patel. ‘We’re basically two doctors here – we know how to handle him.’
‘And I’ve only just completed a placement in A his response was amusingly random.
‘What’s the matter, J?’ he asked, locking eyes with his tearful younger brother. ‘Did you get dust in your eyes?’ he teased.
‘That’s not funny,’ Jason said, his voice trembling as he grimaced in pain. ‘That’s not funny at all, Will.’ He shook his head and closed his eyes, fighting back emotions. I moved to his side and wrapped my arm around him, hoping to offer some semblance of comfort.
‘Better than Genghis Khan,’ John echoed with a chuckle. ‘That must feel great, indeed.’
‘Fucking amazing, actually,’ William said, flashing his father that familiar crooked smile. My heart fluttered painfully at the sight – oh, that damn irresistible smile…
‘My genes are just as formidable, if not better,’ William boasted. ‘Granted, he had countless concubines… That utter bellend. He couldn’t possibly have known all his children.’ He shook his head disdainfully. ‘What a fucking disgrace. Had I been his wife, I would have slaughtered him.’
The meds seemed to take his usual bravado to new heights, making him cockier and crazier than ever.
Daphné’s head dipped as she tried to stifle her reaction, but a faint giggle escaped her lips. ‘Language, William,’ she murmured, half-scolding, half-amused.
‘Oh, let him curse, Daphné,’ John interjected with a chuckle.
‘Yeah, let me curse, Mum. Fuck, cunt, shit, prick, tit—’ William’s list rolled off his tongue unchecked.
Jason let out an incredulous laugh. ‘This is hilarious.’
‘William,’ Daphné groaned, her tone a mix of exasperation and affection.
‘Sorry, I mean merde, putain —’ William switched to French, his cheeky defiance unrelenting until Daphné silenced him with a stern look.
William chortled. ‘Am I grounded?’
Daphné sighed, the sound heavy with a mother’s worry. ‘What am I to do with you?’ She bent over and covered her face, her shoulders shaking as she began to weep.
‘Love me unconditionally,’ William said softly. He lifted his left hand to gently stroke her blonde hair. ‘Don’t worry, Mum. I’m going to be all right.’
‘They’ve arrested the man responsible for this,’ John said, his tone sombre. ‘He’s in custody now.’
‘Andy was the one who intervened and got you help,’ I added.
Instantly, William’s piercing blue eye locked onto mine. ‘Andy?’
As I stared back at him, my face contorted with emotion – pain, relief, love. Beaten or not, he was a sight to behold. ‘Yes.’
He blinked a few times, clearly moved. ‘Well, then I owe him my life. Where is he now?’
‘He’s outside with Chloe, Alex, and Ivy,’ I replied. ‘They only allowed family members in.’
William raised a brow. ‘You’re not family – yet.’
My heart missed a beat at the implication, my lips parting slightly in surprise.
‘Well, apparently she’s your girlfriend,’ John interposed with a smirk, brushing away a tear from his cheek.
William’s lips twisted into a mischievous smile as he continued to gaze at me, his spirit undimmed. ‘In my dreams, definitely. But I plan to make that a reality someday.’
‘Well …’ Jason grinned, throwing a quick glance my way. ‘Cara’s already made that move.’
William turned to his brother, his brow furrowing. ‘What?’
‘Aren’t you his girlfriend, Cara?’ Jason teased, his voice light and playful. ‘That’s what we told the doctor.’
I inhaled deeply as William’s gaze met mine, a glimmer of hope flickering in his. But I had no intention of dashing that hope. Jason’s words had hit home – I already saw myself as William’s girlfriend. This ordeal had underscored a vital truth: every moment was precious and not to be squandered. Having faced the terrifying prospect of losing him, my resolve had solidified. I wanted to be by his side, come what may. Life without him would be a hollow void, bleak and unbearable.
I drew another deep breath, my heart racing as I gathered the courage to admit it out loud.
‘I am your girlfriend, yes.’
William’s jaw dropped, and for several long seconds, he simply stared at me in disbelief. Beside him, the machine monitoring his heart began to beep more rapidly. I glanced at it, my nerves fraying. Perhaps this confession was ill-timed.
‘Breathe, Will,’ Daphné urged gently, her hand caressing his cheek. ‘Slowly, in and out.’
‘If you’re having me on, I won’t forgive you,’ William said to me, scepticism permeating his features. It stung a bit to see him doubt my sincerity. Was the thought of me truly being his girlfriend so unbelievable to him?
‘I’m not,’ I declared firmly. ‘I consider myself your girlfriend.’
He took a sharp intake of breath, and the monitor beside him escalated into a frenzy. Suddenly, he winced, contorting in pain as he clutched at his chest – his ribs.
‘Bloody hell, that hurt,’ he gasped.
‘Breathe slowly, Will,’ Daphné commanded, standing up quickly. ‘Lie back,’ she instructed, her hands hovering above him, careful not to touch.
Gradually settling back against his pillow, William fixed his gaze on me once, his expression one of wonder and contemplation.
‘I sometimes believe in God when I look at you,’ he said out of the blue.
I gaped, his words igniting a whirlwind of emotions that ranged from amusement to a deep, stirring affection.
‘Wow,’ John mouthed, visibly impressed.
‘Well, then?’ Jason prodded.
William scowled slightly. ‘Well, I’m not sure if I’m hallucinating or actually hearing this. I’m dizzy as hell, you twat. They’ve given me enough meds to knock out a bloody elephant.’
‘You’re not hallucinating, dear,’ Daphné reassured him gently. ‘What’s your verdict? Don’t leave her hanging.’
‘My verdict?’ He furrowed his brows, looking momentarily irked. ‘The answer should be obvious – of course I want to be her boyfriend. I’ve been pining and grovelling for months now.’
I couldn’t help but smile. Only William could declare it like that and still sound romantic.
John turned to Jason, his eyes narrowing a fraction as he saw Jason’s grin. ‘You knew about them all along, didn’t you?’
Jason’s grin broadened even further as he met John’s stare. ‘I didn’t actually, no. Safe to say I was shocked when I found out. But I fancy them together. I’ve always thought of Cara as a sister, so I couldn’t be more pleased.’
‘Yeah.’ William smirked, his visible eye glimmering with a playful arrogance as he stared at me. ‘He’s been on my side the whole time, love. He might be your best mate, but he’s my brother . Thought you stood a chance, did you?’ He chuckled warmly. ‘You and I becoming a couple was a foregone conclusion the moment I learned you were his flatmate. You see, Jason and I combined is a force greater than Sherlock and Watson. Greater than anything you can imagine, really. He’s the Robin to my Batman. The Pumba to my Timon. We’re fucking incredible.’
I couldn’t help but laugh at the bizarre nature of his comparisons – especially the last one.
‘Just when I thought he couldn’t possibly get any dafter, he bloody goes and outdoes himself,’ Jason chuckled.
‘Were you aware when she applied?’ John asked, still looking at Jason. ‘Was that why you recommended her to me?’
‘No, they hadn’t met at that time,’ Jason said. ‘Wouldn’t have changed my course of action, though. Cara deserved that spot, regardless of her relationship with William. She’s super clever and hard-working.’
‘That she is, and now she’s finally mine. When can I have my kiss?’ William asked, sounding both smug and delighted.
Overwhelmed, I found myself staring at the ceiling to stop my tears from spilling. I was in a relationship with the man that I loved with all my heart. A few hours ago, I had feared I might have lost my chance with him forever. It didn’t matter that William was currently high as a kite – it didn’t ruin the moment for me at all.
I was bursting to tell him I loved him, but I resolved to wait until we were alone, and he was more lucid. As things stood, it wasn’t the right time – his mind was too scattered.
‘Here,’ John said, stepping back from William’s bed and giving me an encouraging nod. ‘Give him a kiss, love. He deserves it.’
I hurried over at once, eager to oblige. With utmost gentleness, I cradled William’s sharp jaw in my hands and pressed my lips tenderly against his smiling mouth. The fact that he kissed me back wasn’t something I took for granted. Those perfect lips could have been cold and lifeless if it hadn’t been for Andy, but instead they were warm and soft, moulding against my own in that exquisite, familiar manner.
His heartbeat quickened under my touch, prompting a smile from me. But, as it kept racing faster and faster, concern crept in, urging me to pull back. I quickly withdrew, a tear falling from my eye onto his cheek. Just as I was about to remove my hands from his jaw, he grasped my wrist tightly. His eye squeezed shut as he began to tremble, tears trailing down his cheek. A profound silence enveloped us, punctuated only by his muffled sobs. The sound was heart-wrenching, betraying a fear he had masked with bravery.
Suddenly, he released my wrist and brought his hand to the nape of my neck, pulling me close once more. Wanting to comfort him, I planted soft kisses on his lips as he wept.
‘I was so worried about you,’ he whispered. ‘I was terrified someone had hurt you.’
‘William,’ I whimpered, my face twisting as I caressed his cheek. ‘I’m fine, now that I know you’re going to be okay.’
‘Do you know who attacked you?’ John interjected.
William drew back slightly and looked at John over my shoulder. ‘No. The last thing I remember is dancing with Cara.’
I stepped aside slightly, allowing them an unobstructed view of one another.
‘His name is Oliver Seymour,’ John said.
William’s visible eye widened with shock. ‘Oliver?’
‘Yes.’ John nodded. ‘How do you know him, Will?’
A pained expression crossed William’s face, signalling his distress at the revelation. He recoiled as if experiencing a sudden surge of pain in his head. Clutching his forehead, he groaned softly, struggling to manage the intense discomfort.
‘That’s enough, John,’ Daphné intervened sharply, shooting her husband a stern look. ‘He needs to rest.’
‘I met him while I was studying at Cambridge,’ William murmured. ‘He was Kate’s friend.’
John knitted a brow. ‘That’s not the whole story, though, is it?’
‘What do you mean?’ William’s tone could have fooled me, but it did not fool John.
‘You’ve definitely got an idea, Will.’
William clenched his teeth, his gaze dropping to his lap. I knew he hadn’t told his parents about Francesca’s pregnancy – he didn’t want them to know unless he turned out to be the father. But now, with everything that had transpired with Oliver, it seemed inevitable that the truth would emerge.
‘I had…’ he mumbled, his frown deepening. ‘I had a casual arrangement with his ex a few months ago.’
‘She wasn’t his ex,’ John corrected.
William’s gaze snapped up to meet his father’s. ‘What?’ Confusion clouded his features.
I hated seeing him like this, so bewildered. It was painfully obvious Francesca had kept him in the dark.
‘Apparently, they were still together,’ John explained. ‘The detectives told us when they were here earlier.’
‘What?’ William’s voice rose in shock. ‘She told me they’d split up!’ He winced, clutching his head as pain flared. ‘Ah, fuck.’
‘John, enough,’ Daphné intervened sternly. ‘You’re angry, I get it, but don’t take it out on William. He’s hardly to blame here. I doubt he would’ve gotten involved with her if he knew the truth.’
‘Of course not,’ William said, looking earnestly at John. ‘I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean for this to happen.’
‘No, I’m the one who should apologise.’ John sighed, his expression softening. ‘Your mother’s right.’
William’s brows corrugated in a deep frown as he stared at his lap. ‘I can’t believe she lied to me,’ he murmured. ‘Why would she do that?’
‘God knows. Maybe she’s in love with you,’ John retorted gruffly, his voice thick with disdain. ‘Regardless, she’s hardly any better than her deplorable boyfriend.’
Daphné leaned closer to William, her touch gentle as she brushed her hand across his cheek, bringing a momentary softness to the tense room. ‘How are you feeling, sweetheart?’
‘Starting to feel a bit more alert … less foggy,’ William replied, managing a weak smile.
‘That’s good to hear. Do you need anything? Some water, perhaps?’
‘No, I’m all right for now, thanks.’
Just then, a soft knock sounded against the door. It creaked open, and a middle-aged nurse appeared, his expression apologetic but warm. ‘Hello, William,’ he greeted with a professional yet friendly nod. ‘How are you feeling?’
A spark of humour flickered in William’s gaze. ‘Actually, quite thirsty now.’
Daphné shot him a deadpan look, to which he responded with a wry, cheeky smile.
The nurse walked straight to the basin in the room and removed the plastic from around a disposable cup. As he filled it with water, he looked at us. ‘I’m sorry, guys, but it’s been ten minutes. You’re more than welcome to visit him tomorrow.’
‘Right.’ John nodded and looked at his wife. ‘Daphné, you heard him.’
‘Yes.’ Daphné stood up and bent to kiss the top of William’s head. ‘We’ll be back tomorrow, darling. Get some rest. I love you.’
‘Love you too, Mum.’
‘Aren’t you forgetting someone?’ John gestured to himself.
William chuckled. ‘I love you just as much, Dad.’
‘Good. And I definitely love you too.’
Jason moved past Daphné to William’s side, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. ‘Hey, Will, you’d better not scare us like this again, you hear? You owe me at least a dozen gym sessions when you’re back on your feet.’ His attempt at light-heartedness did little to veil his genuine concern.
William smiled weakly. ‘It’s a deal.’
Jason nodded, then leaned down, placing a gentle hand on William’s shoulder. ‘Good. I love you, man.’
‘I love you too, son of Jay,’ William replied, his gaze shining with brotherly affection.
Jason grimaced with a blend of anguish and amusement, then turned and walked toward the door with Daphné and John.
I lingered by William’s bedside, my heart aching as I took his hand. The idea of leaving him, even for a night, felt intolerable after everything we had been through today. My eyes searched his face, memorising each detail – his bruised skin, the faint traces of pain in his features, and the warmth of his gaze that held mine with an intensity that spoke volumes.
‘Will, I…’ My voice broke, the weight of unspoken words pressing heavily between us.
He squeezed my hand, a gesture so full of love and reassurance that it almost made me stay right there. ‘It’s all right, Cara. I’m not going anywhere. And neither are you, not really. You’re always right here,’ he said, bringing our entwined hands to his heart.
The nurse, standing politely by the basin, cleared his throat gently, reminding us of the time constraint. ‘Miss, I’m sorry, but we really do need to make sure all our patients get their rest.’
I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. I knew he was right, but leaving William felt like the hardest thing I’d ever done.
‘Come back tomorrow, first thing. I’ll be waiting,’ William said, his voice stronger now, edged with a playful challenge.
‘I will,’ I promised, bending down to press a soft kiss on his lips. As I straightened, I reluctantly released his hand. His fingers lingered in mine until the last possible second, sending a shiver through me.
As I crossed the threshold, William’s voice stopped me. ‘Cara?’
I turned back, finding him propped up slightly against his pillows, his gaze earnest.
‘Yes?’
A smile broke across his face, that mischievous, charming smile that had first drawn me in. ‘Don’t forget to dream of me.’
I laughed despite the tears pricking my eyes, warmed by his spirit. ‘You’re always in my dreams, Will – even when I’m awake.’
He grinned, and I drank in the sight, clinging to it as the nurse quietly shut the door between us.
Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough .