27. In the Hospital Bed #2
“Our special agreement, as you call it, returned the ground under my feet. I’m sure he told you what happened to me.” She gave me a pointed look, and I nodded, waiting for her to continue.
“I totally lost control over everything,” she sighed, shrugging.
“If Bastian hadn’t stepped up and taken me under his wings, I would’ve been rotting in the cemetery right now.
Thanks to him, I’m slowly gaining my life back.
” Rose stopped for a second as she hesitated over whether continuing was a good idea.
“It’s an excruciatingly long process, and I must admit that sometimes, I’m purposely sabotaging it because I’m scared that one day he’ll say that I don’t need him anymore. ”
“That’s why you acted like a total bitch?” I blurted out, slightly shaking my head. It felt like we were fighting over some popular guy in high school.
“Two things, Electra,” she snapped, narrowing her eyes at me.
“First, I was his main interest for the past five years. You’re stepping into my territory.
” She stood, crossing her arms over her chest. The sudden change in her demeanor caught me off-guard.
“And second, I wanted to terminate our contract and move out of your way. He refused.”
“That’s nice of you,” I stated, watching her as she frowned. “But still, you have no right to act like this. You don’t own him.” I averted my gaze from her face, looking out the window at the night sky. I expected her to argue with me, but she said nothing .
For a long moment, we were both quiet. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to her or anyone else. My mind was with Bastian. I wanted nothing more than to see him and tell him how much I loved him, but I had to deal with Miss Adelaine first.
“I told Bastian yesterday that your contract can stay in place, but I want to know everything he’s doing for you.” I broke the silence, noticing Rose wince. She was lost in her thoughts as well. She lifted one of her elegant eyebrows at me, waiting. “Whatever it is, I’ll know about it.”
Her brows shot up, and surprise appeared all over her beautiful face. “Excuse me?”
“I won’t be responsible for the worsening of your mental health because I’m jealous, Rosalind,” I explained, holding her gaze.
She came closer to me, studying me as if she thought I was bluffing.
Well, I wasn’t. I made a decision, and nothing could change my mind.
“I won’t interfere, and I’ll keep your secret, but I won’t let my man hold you during a breakdown without an explanation. ”
“Why would you do this, Electra?” she asked, studying my face.
“Because I respect him,” I answered, playing with the hem of the blanket. “He feels responsible for you and obligated to help you. Believe me, I don’t like it at all, but I’ll accept it if you play by the rules.”
“What exactly are the rules? Call you to allow him to visit me?” she mocked as she approached the bed. Her face was a blank mask, but her eyes told a different story. She was confused.
“Bastian doesn’t need my permission, Rosalind,” I retorted, slightly annoyed. “My point is that you have the attention and support of the taken man. And I have every right to know what is happening between you two.”
"You’re a fucking masochist,” she groaned, shaking her head. “Why don’t you demand the termination of our contract?”
“Because he cares for you,” I replied matter-of-factly, watching her coming even closer, towering over me on the bed. “I won’t ask for something he can’t give me.”
“This is the worst idea ever,” she mumbled, chewing her bottom lip and probably thinking about my suggestion. I tried to ignore my quivering stomach and direct my thoughts elsewhere, but all that was on my mind was Bastian .
My first instinct when I ran away from his apartment was to end things with him. I was heartbroken. But after the conversation with Grandma and everything that happened since then, I realized I couldn’t throw the past few months out the window.
Bastian showed me another life, another me. He made me feel desired and loved. Those were all new feelings for me. He introduced me to things I would have never guessed I would be into.
He was the man who woke me from a long slumber; he brought me back to life.
It wasn’t only about sex—it was about everything.
He pushed me to my limits. He helped me accept myself the way I was and opened my eyes to the new possibilities.
I began to believe in love, intimacy, and connection again.
And I knew I couldn’t be this woman without him by my side.
We belonged together.
The mere thought of losing him because of her or because of our accident was paralyzing me. I was prepared to do anything in my power to get him back.
“Fine,” Rose whispered, waking me up from my reverie. Her voice was soaked with doubt. “I’ll agree to this, but only because he loves you. And I would never stand in the way of his happiness. Choosing between us would break his heart.”
“Thank you,” I said sincerely, releasing a deep breath. I felt relieved that she agreed. She obviously knew Bastian too well to know he wouldn’t back down from his commitment.
Before Rose could reply or at least roll her eyes at me, my best friend Zoe burst through the door.
“Oh, my God,” she squealed, running to me with open arms. “You’re alive.” She squeezed me in her embrace tightly, and the familiar scent of her vanilla perfume hit my nose.
“I’m okay,” I breathed, tears falling down my cheeks.
I noticed Rose leaving the room out of the corner of my eye.
I wasn’t glad for the interruption, yet perhaps it was for the best. We were all in the wrong frame of mind to deal with anything else.
Bastian was our main interest. Because if he didn’t get out of the hospital bed, all of this was for naught.