Chapter 33
Violet
I wake up to the sound of beeping and the strong smell of antiseptic.
Disoriented, I look around, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Slowly, the memories from the day before come crashing back: how I was taken by John, and how Austin found me in the woods when I thought I was going to die.
I remember Adrian, Josy, Noah, and Esteban being there, making sure I was okay. And then, I recall the beautiful words Austin said to me in the middle of the night, how he told me he loved me.
I look around my room and see Austin slumped in the chair by my bed, his head tilted awkwardly against the backrest, one arm crossed over his chest, the other hanging limply at his side. Even in a deep sleep, his presence feels steady, like an anchor holding me in place.
I watch him, unable to look away. The soft light from the window catches the lines of his face
the strong jaw, the curve of his cheekbone, the faint shadow of stubble. He looks tired, and I feel a pang of guilt knowing that’s because of me. He must’ve been up all night, running himself ragged trying to find me.
But beyond the guilt is something much stronger. Admiration. Gratitude. Love.
How did I get so lucky? Of all the people I could have bumped into on my first day at work, it was him. That simple, ordinary moment set off a chain reaction that I never could have predicted. And now, I can’t imagine my life without him.
My chest tightens at the thought. What would I do if I ever lost him? The mere idea feels unbearable, like a cold void opening up inside me. Austin isn’t just a part of my life now, he’s a part of me.
In such a short time, this man has done what I thought was impossible. He’s broken down every wall I built around my heart, every barrier I thought was impenetrable. For years, I carried the weight of pain and self-doubt, convinced that no one could ever see past the cracks and scars left by my marriage. But Austin? He didn’t just see them—he embraced them, held me close, and reminded me that I’m worth loving.
My heart aches, but not in the way it used to. It’s not the sharp, bitter sting of the past. This is different. It’s a warm ache, one that comes from healing, from realizing just how much someone cares about you.
I know I’m not fully healed. There are still days when the echoes of my past creep in, whispering lies about my worth, about who I am. But with Austin, those whispers are quieter. He’s been a fundamental part of my journey, a steady hand guiding me toward something brighter, something better.
I glance at his hand, resting loosely on the armrest of the chair, and resist the urge to reach out and take it. He’s given me so much—his kindness, his patience, his unwavering belief in me. And not just to me. To Adrian, too. The way he treats my son, with such love and respect, melts my heart in ways I can’t even describe.
I wasn’t lying when I told him I loved him. I love him in a way that scares me, in a way that feels bigger than anything I’ve ever known.
For now, I let myself simply watch him. The rise and fall of his chest, the slight furrow in his brow, even in sleep. I let myself relish this new love, this fragile, beautiful thing that feels like a second chance.
Whatever comes next, I know one thing for certain: Austin is my future. And I’m not letting go of that. Not ever.
A few moments pass and Austin stirs awake and looks at me. He smiles and stands up. “Good morning, beautiful. How are you feeling today?” He winces as he rubs his neck and tries to stretch. His face shows he’s not getting rid of that pain easily.
“I’m okay,” I reply, my voice a bit raspy. “But you look like you’re in pain.”
Austin chuckles softly. “I’ll be fine. Just a little stiff from that chair.” He walks over to my bed and gently takes my hand. “I’m just glad you’re awake.”
I squeeze his hand, feeling a surge of warmth and love. “I can’t believe you stayed with me all night.”
“Of course, I did,” he says, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I wasn’t going to leave your side, I promised that. You have to get used to me, because I’m not going anywhere, beautiful. You are mine and I will always take care of you.”
Tears well up in my eyes, but they’re tears of happiness. “Thank you, Austin. For everything. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” he says softly. “I love you, Violet. I’ll always be here for you.”
Hearing him say those words again makes my heart swell with joy. “I love you too, Austin. More than you’ll ever know.”
He leans down and kisses my forehead. “We’re going to get through this together,” he says. “You, me, and Adrian. We’re a team.”
I nod, feeling more hopeful than I have in a long time. “Yes, we are. A team.”
Just then, a nurse walks in, interrupting our moment. “Good morning, Violet. How are you feeling today?” she asks, checking the monitors and taking notes on her chart.
“I’m feeling okay,” I reply, glancing at Austin. “Just a little sore.”
“That’s to be expected,” the nurse says kindly. “The doctor will be in soon to check on you. In the meantime, just rest and let us know if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” I say, appreciating her gentle demeanor.
As the nurse leaves, I turn back to Austin. “I can’t wait to get out of here and go home,” I tell him.
“Me too,” he agrees. “But for now, just focus on getting better. We’ll take it one step at a time.”
I nod, feeling grateful for his support.
I drift off, attempting to take a nap because my eyes will not stay open. I tell Austin to leave and get some food for himself, and walking around will be good for him. However, I am awoken by a knock on the door and a doctor walking in to speak to me.
“How are you feeling, Violet?” he asks, checking my eyes with a flashlight.
“I have a headache, but overall I’m okay. Ready to go home.”
“I bet you are. Officer Miller is outside, he wants to interview you and take some pictures. After he's gone, the nurse will bring the discharge papers, and you can go home. I want you to take it easy. If at any time you experience nausea, dizziness, or extreme migraines, give me a call. If not, I recommend you visit your primary health care provider in about five days for a follow-up. I’ll prescribe medication for the headache and send it to your pharmacy. Do you have any questions?”
“No, thank you,” I reply.
The doctor nods and leaves the room.
“Did I just hear that we are going home soon?” Austin walks back into the room holding some snacks and already looking better than he did this morning. He leans down to give me a small kiss. “Are you ready to speak with Officer Miller?”
“I guess I have to be. The faster we do this, the sooner we go home.”
Officer Miller knocks on my hospital door. “Can I come in?” Miller asks.
“Sure,” I respond.
“How are you feeling, Violet?”
“I’ve been much better, thanks. But I’m okay.”
“I’m glad you’re safe,” Miller says gently. His tone is professional but laced with genuine concern. “Now, I need to ask you some questions for the report. I need to know all the details that you can remember, starting from the moment you were abducted last night.”
The weight of his request presses down on me like a heavy blanket. I know that this is necessary, but the thought of reliving those moments makes my stomach churn. My mind flashes back to the suffocating darkness, the chilling sound of John’s voice, and the overwhelming sense of helplessness.
I open my mouth to speak, but the words seem stuck in my throat. My fingers instinctively tighten around the hospital blanket draped over my lap. It was only four hours. Four hours of being trapped. Four hours that felt like an eternity.
I hesitate, the silence stretching between us, and my eyes dart toward Austin. He’s standing beside me, his gaze locked on mine. There’s no pressure in his expression, only quiet reassurance. Slowly, he leans down, his face close to mine.
“You can do this, Vi,” he says softly, his voice steady and grounding. “You’re safe now, and I’m right here beside you.”
He presses a gentle kiss to my forehead, his warmth seeping into my skin like a balm against the cold fear lingering inside me. Then he sits beside me on the bed, taking my hand in his. His thumb strokes over my knuckles, a simple yet powerful gesture that steadies my trembling nerves.
I let out a shaky breath, my eyes flitting between Miller and Austin. “Okay,” I whisper, though my voice wavers.
I start from the beginning, forcing myself to push through the fog of fear and exhaustion. “I had just stepped out of the bathroom,” I say, my voice low but growing steadier as I continue. “I was walking back to the game when... I didn’t even see him. He hit me in the back of the head, and I blacked out.”
Austin’s hand tightens slightly around mine, grounding me as I push forward. I recount the moment I woke up in the cabin. I tell them about John’s unhinged rambling, how he bound my wrists and put tape over my mouth, the tunnel, the moment I saw a chance to escape.
My words flow in stops and starts, sometimes halting as the memories overwhelm me. Each detail feels like a wound being reopened, but I press on. I describe the damp, oppressive darkness of the tunnel, the way the air felt thick and stale, and the sheer panic that gripped me when I realized John was close behind as I ran into the woods.
By the time I finish, my throat feels dry, and my body feels like it’s been wrung out. Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them back, determined not to let them fall.
Miller nods solemnly, his face unreadable as he jots down notes. “Thank you, Violet. You did great. This helps more than you know.”
“I really don’t know why he did this. He has always been so nice to me, and his poor wife,” I say, sadness evident in my voice as I shake my head.
“We already interrogated John, and he admitted to sending you the letters. He has been charged, and we just need your statement to continue the process. As for why he did it, he claims he is in love with you.”
A shiver runs down my spine at the thought. “It’s all so surreal. I never saw it coming.”
Austin squeezes my hand, offering silent support.
Officer Miller continues. “We’re going to make sure he faces justice for what he’s done. Your cooperation is crucial in making that happen.”
“I understand,” I reply. “I’ll do whatever I can to ensure he can’t hurt anyone else.”
“Thank you, Violet,” Miller says, standing up. “We’ll be in touch if we need any more information. For now, focus on your recovery.”
After Officer Miller leaves, the nurse arrives with the discharge papers. She hands me the medication instructions and helps me prepare to leave.
“Home, sweet home,” Austin says softly as he helps me into a wheelchair.
As we head out of the hospital, I feel so exhausted. Austin stays close, making sure I’m comfortable and taken care of. The thought of finally going home makes me feel so relieved.
When we finally step through the door of my apartment, I breathe in the familiar scent and feel a wave of gratitude.
“We’re home,” I whisper, feeling Austin’s arm around my shoulders, grounding me.
“We’re home,” he echoes. The first thing I notice is the sound of Max’s nails scratching the floor as he runs toward us. I smile as Max approaches at full speed. He is jumping at my feet, trying to get some love from me. As I am about to go down and pick him up Austin does it for me. He brings Max close to me and I pet him while he is trying to get free of Austin’s arms. “Shhh, it’s okay. I am here now. I love you too,” I say to Max as he gives me kisses. After I am done petting Max, Austin puts him on the floor. Then I hear foot steps. I look up and see Adrian running in my direction. He hugs me tight. I feel so happy to have my baby boy in my arms. He’s getting so big, and at that moment, I vow to never take any moment with the people I love for granted. When Adrian is done hugging me, Josy takes his place.
"I'm so happy that you're okay. I love you, Violet. Don’t ever scare me like that again," Josy says, her voice trembling with emotion.
I laugh lightly at her words. "I'll try my best not to get kidnapped again so you don’t have to worry about me."
Josy chuckles and lets me go. We sit on the couch, and I recount what happened. With every retelling, I feel lighter. When I finish, Josy tells me about the messages she’s received from people in town. No one can believe that John would do something like that. She also mentions how devastated Miriam and the kids are about the news.
“I need to take a shower. I’ll be back soon,” I say, standing up.
As I walk to the bathroom, I hear Adrian, Josy, and Austin talking. When I get to the bathroom, I look at myself in the mirror for the first time. My right cheek is bruised purple, my hair is a mess, and I’m covered in mud. I take a deep breath and let the tears loose. Now, in the confines of my bathroom, I can finally let go of my stress.
Once I start crying, I can’t seem to stop. I’m overwhelmed with emotions I can’t control—from my experience with Taylor, to the letters I received over the past few months, how scared I was the night before, thinking I would never see Adrian or Austin again, and finally, how I felt when Austin declared his love for me.
I sink to the floor and keep crying. Suddenly, I feel strong arms embracing me from behind. Austin’s presence is solid and reassuring. My crying was so intense that I never heard him enter the bathroom and sit down behind me.
“It’s okay, beautiful. Let it all out. I’m here with you,” Austin says gently.
I turn in his arms and sob against his chest. His warmth and strength ground me, and I feel relief wash over me. Austin’s hand strokes my hair, his touch soothing and comforting.
“I was so scared, Austin,” I manage to say between sobs. “I thought I’d never see you or Adrian again.”
“I know,” he whispers. “But you’re safe now. We’re all here for you.”
“I don’t know what I would have done without you,” I admit again.
“You’re stronger than you think, Violet. You’ve been through so much, and you’re still standing. I’m in awe of you,” Austin says, his voice full of admiration.
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. Slowly, my sobs subside, and I cling to him, feeling a sense of peace.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“For what?” he asks, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“For loving me. For being here. I will never get tired of thanking you,” I reply, looking up at him.
He smiles softly and leans down to kiss my forehead. “Always,” he says.
We sit there for a while, holding each other, the storm of emotions gradually calming. I know it will take time to heal.