Chapter 9 #2
I have one more question for him, the biggest and most important of all. “Were they able to get DNA from the baby?”
“No, honey. It was too late by the time we got here.”
The disappointment is gut wrenching. How will I ever make Ryder pay for what he did to me without the baby’s DNA for proof?
It’ll be my word against his, and they’ll believe him because of how accomplished he is.
I’m nobody next to him. Maybe that’s why he chose me to attack in the first place.
He knew he could crush me in every way that matters.
Kane stretches out next to me and holds me while I cry. “I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but you’re going to be okay. I promise.”
He smells like fresh air and sunscreen.
I realize he has tears running down his face, too. As I pull back so I can see him, I’m struck by his obvious devastation. “Kane…” I brush away his tears. “What is it?”
“There was a nurse in the ER… She was so nice and caring. She…she said we’re young and we can try again. That we’ll have lots of babies when we’re ready for them.”
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry.” Of course she thought the baby was ours. Why wouldn’t she?
“It’s true, you know. We are young, and we’ll bounce back from this and have lots of babies and a happy life. We won’t let this ruin anything for us, do you hear me?”
“Yeah, I hear you.”
“As awful as this is, we’ll get through it together and be stronger for it.”
“I often wonder what I did to get so lucky to meet you when I was so young, to know I wanted to be with you forever, no matter what.”
“Same, honey. We’re so lucky, and we’re going to stay that way.”
He holds me as close to him as he can possibly get me, which is right where I want to be. Like always, he makes me feel so much better than I would’ve without him by my side. When he tells me we’re going to be all right, I believe him.
The next day, my father calls to check on me after I’m released from the hospital with orders to take it easy for the next four to six weeks. We texted him the news last night and said I wasn’t up for talking but to call me the next day.
“How’re you feeling, sweetheart?”
“Tired and sore, but otherwise okay.”
“I’m so sorry you went through another traumatic ordeal.”
He sounds tearful, which breaks my heart. My dad is the strongest person I know, and I hate to hear him broken because of me. “I’m all right, Dad. I promise. But what happens now that we can’t use the baby’s DNA to prove he attacked me?”
“I’m not sure. I have a call with the prosecutor later today to update him.”
“I still want to testify against him. Even if we lose, I want people to know what he did to me.”
“I’ll pass that along. You amaze me, Niece. I’m so proud of you.”
“I get my resolve from you.”
“I suppose you do, but I wasn’t strong like you are now when I was your age.”
“What is it you always tell me? That people step up to the moment when they need to? That’s all I’m doing.”
“I’m very proud.”
“That’s all that’s ever mattered to me. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yeah, sweetie. I know. Do you want me to come up there?”
“There’s no need for that. We’re fine. Kane is taking very good care of me.”
“Tell him thanks from me.”
“I will. How’s Mom?”
“She hasn’t had a drink in a week, and she went to an AA meeting with Mrs. Dalton. Do you know her?”
“The neighbor down the street?”
“Yes. Mom had heard she was in recovery and reached out to her. Mrs. Dalton offered to take her to her first meeting and to be her sponsor.”
“That’s progress.”
“I guess. We’ll see if it sticks without some sort of in-patient rehab.”
“I hope it does.”
“Me, too.”
“Do you still love her, Dad?”
“That’s a complicated question. If you’d asked me that before this happened to you, I would’ve said yes. Now… I don’t know. I’m furious that she let you suffer in silence for weeks after you were attacked. How could she not know you were going through something so awful?”
“She’s got an illness. I don’t blame her for that, and you shouldn’t either.”
“I’m trying. Mrs. Dalton suggested Al-Anon for me, and I’m thinking about it. I’ve heard great things.”
“I think you should try it. Can’t hurt, right?”
“That’s what Mrs. Dalton said, too. Let me know how you’re doing later?”
“I will. Thanks for checking on me.”
“Love you so much, honey. I hope you know…”
“I do. I’ve always known that. Love you, too.”
“How’s he doing?” Kane asks as he delivers a cup of tea to me.
I sit up on the sofa and take the mug from him. “Thanks. He’s doing okay. Upset, of course. I feel like that’s the word of this summer. Upset.”
“I prefer something more like resilient or courageous or inspiring.”
He makes me smile when I would’ve thought that was impossible today.
“Is it strange that I’m sad about the baby despite everything?”
“I can see why. He or she had nothing to do with any of this and deserves to have someone mourn for them.”
“It helps me that you understand.”
“I do. I feel sad about it, too, and not just because the baby would’ve helped you get justice.”
“That’ll be much more complicated now.”
“All you can do is tell the truth and hope for the best.”
As I try to imagine taking the stand to testify against Ryder, my whole body goes tense.
“Don’t worry about that now.” I should be used to how he can always tell what I’m thinking. “There’ll be plenty of time for you to prepare for that later. Right now, you need to focus on resting and healing. Okay?”
My gaze meets his, which is full of concern and love. So much love. “Okay.”