Chapter 22
Darius
The sterile room hums with chaos—voices clipped, metal clattering, machines screaming—but all I hear is the pounding in my head: don’t let this be what breaks her.
She’s already lost once without warning, survived more than most. If death wants me tonight, it’ll have to fight like hell, because I refuse to leave Ingrid with nothing but another ghost.
Strength flickers back into me, enough to catch the doctor’s wrist and hold on tight. His gaze drops, questioning, and I manage a single word through my cracked voice. “Ring.”
“Sir, let us help you.”
“Yes… but first… my pocket.” I suck in a deep breath. “The ring.”
Pressure digs into my side, another voice cutting through. “We’re ready when you are.”
“Not… yet.” My chest burns as my fingers dig into his wrist. “The ring. Take it. Give to… beautiful lady.”
I have to pause, suck in a few breaths, ignoring the pain. “Please. Needs it. Ingrid. Remember… Ingrid. Promise.”
“We’ll worry about all that later.” He gives an exasperated nod. “First, we need to get you to surgery.”
“No!” Pain slices through me, stealing air. “Tell her… Not going to die.” My eyes burn into his. “Cause I’m not.”
“Not on my watch. Glad we agree.”
“Right.” I grunt and the wheeze. “Give it to her. Hold it… until I wake.”
“Can we go now?” He raises his eyebrow.
“Soon.” My grip tightens again. “Important. Don’t… fuck it up.”
A smirk slips past his serious demeanor. “Anything else, Your Grace?”
“Yes.” I close my eyes and groan. “Don’t… call me that. Don’t… let her… worry. Make her believe… I’m fine.”
He lets go of my hand and motions for the others to get moving, but I’m not done yet.
“And when this is… behind us.” A fragile smile forms on my lips. “I’m… fucking her… so hard… we’ll learn what… heaven looks like.”
The doctor shakes his head, the corners of his mouth twitching as he tries to stifle a snicker. “Not until after you heal, I’m afraid. I’m sure she’ll be fine with waiting.”
We move to an elevator, and as soon as we’re inside I grab his hand again. “Waited too long… already. Just tell her… so she knows… I’m okay.”
The noises fade, shadows creeping in. But I lock onto one truth—I’m not fucking dying. Not when I finally have something worth living for.