Drowning in fear

Chapter 50

Lucia Lorenzo's POV

He is not improving. A few hours ago, Johnson and Cyril helped me carry him into our bedroom. I've been waiting to see if the lashes in his chest would get better, but they haven't.

His hooded sweatshirt surrounds me like a shield. My heart keeps hammering even though I try to find solace in the warmth of the sweatshirt and his scent.

For a moment, I hear my family and friends downstairs, and then my ears keep ringing. I'm appreciative of their refusal to leave, all of them. I grab his hand and squeeze it firmly.

Clara assured me that he would recover, but his wounds are still causing me pain in my chest. It's still there, and my hope keeps dwindling.

My attention is drawn to the steady creaking sound of the door. I notice that familiar hazel eyes are peering at me through the tiny gap between the door and the wall.

If Mirabel and I weren't so apart from one another—if we were just sisters who occasionally got into arguments but always supported one another—I wonder what that would be like. To be honest, if it meant getting my sister back, I would end my relationship with Blaine.

I desire that we might have shared life together as we entered this world together.

I sat up straight and got ready for her to say something.

"I would have kept him safe.

I ought to be Luna. "

I brace myself for words that never materialize, and instead, I hear words from her that I never imagined hearing.

"Are you okay?"

It's sincere. There is concern in her voice. Her tall frame stood clumsily near the entrance, as though she was not sure if she should get any closer. Her gaze darts over the room, pausing briefly on Blaine.

I wonder deep down, when she changed into this person. Rather than the sister who made fun of me in front of my pack, I made an effort to recall the sister who was always by my side. But as I reach into the cracks in my memory, the Mirabel I wish to recall gets confused with the Mirabel I see in front of me right now.

"I'm okay."

I can even hear the trembling breath that escapes me and the uneven tone in my voice when I respond, which is meant to be dismissive. I lied. I'm not okay, and I doubt I ever will be if I never again see Blaine's black eyes. Mirabel is my twin, and even though we are different, I know that as soon as she entered the room, she sensed my dejection.

She approaches me and helps me get out of bed. I try to object, but I can't get the strength to say anything. I trail behind her to the big glass doors that open to the outdoor balcony.

There's a little table that was never utilized on the balcony. Even though it was dusty when I moved in, the setup instantly conjured up a vision in my head. In the morning, it was the ideal spot to sip coffee and take in the breathtaking scenery. At first, I imagined myself taking a seat in one of the two chairs and carefully sipping my steaming coffee. Blaine joined me, something I never anticipated to happen.

He would make him and I coffee every morning. My mug was large and purple, whereas his was smaller and dark blue. Even though I prefer creamier coffee over genuine coffee, I still classify myself as a caffeine enthusiast. Blaine was crazy since he drank his coffee black, yet he never stopped making fun of me for my coffee preferences.

The unseen wooden table gradually became a part of our morning routine, and now that it's there with our mugs still placed next to each other, I cry.

I let out a sob and fell to the ground. I know I should remain strong for him and not cry, but this fear is overwhelming. I'm unable to stop it from progressively infecting my whole body. I am simply unable to.

"It's going to be okay, Lucia."

Even when they are genuinely said to me, there is still a trace of uncertainty. Mirabel picks me up off the ground and settles me into a chair. My body is moving, but my brain is unable to interpret it.

"Blaine!"

Every beat of my heart hurts, every breath makes my lungs tighten, and I feel like I have no control over my limbs.

Mirabel said in a whisper, "Lucia, you're the strong one." She crosses the table to bring the seat over and places it next to me.

I can hear what she's saying, but it sounds like I'm underwater. Am I going to drown? I feel like I'm going to drown.

"Lucia!"

The noise startles me. I bring my gaze up to Mirabel, who stares at me with grief and fear.

"He will be okay, but you need to be okay too."

Okay. I'm so sick of that word. I'm not okay. No one truly knows if Blaine will be okay.

How can I be okay when today might be the last day I see my companion live?

I tried my best to compose my thoughts and gave my complete attention back to Mirabel. In the back of my mind, I am still haunted by thoughts of Blaine dying, but I try to put my belief in Clara. She said he would heal, so he will.

I took in the sight in front of me. Mirabel always had her hair short because our mom used to have our hair running down our backs when we were kids. Her eyes look a little less troubled than they did years ago. She still appears to be a bit out of her depth.

"You know, I think the goddess must hate us because this situation is..."

I nod at her. What were the odds of Blaine and I being friends when he was dating my sister?

A sigh escapes her. Her hands are clenched in her lap, and her head is leaned forward. She gave me a look.

"I apologize for the way I managed everything. I was simply enraged, you know?

For an instant, I'm in shock. I'm at a loss for words with her. My sister apologized, which surprised me, but I now realize that's what I've been praying for.

In all honesty, I don't blame you. Was it spooky? Yes. However, fate betrayed you after you loved him for such a long time, I told her. My mental fog gradually begins to lift.

"That's not it, please. I was Blaine's crutch, and he was mine. We were only here temporarily. Crutches are not something you have to use forever; ultimately, you heal and become independent."

I raised an inquiring eyebrow.

"I guess I'm madder at myself for not realizing the truth sooner."

I'm more perplexed now.

"You know, you two have always had something. The way you looked at each other and how you argued should have warned me that you would become friends. I might not have destroyed our relationship if I had realized it sooner.

A sob breaks off her statement. I reached over the thin barrier separating us and hugged her. My senses are assaulted by the comforting aroma of peaches.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she said, pausing now and then.

"I forgive you, Mirabel."

A tiny smile appears on her face as she draws away. Before she talks again, there is a brief pause.

"You must love this house."

I grinned.

"I do; it's everything I ever wanted."

"I know; it's why he built it."

"What?"

"He would constantly ask me these questions about you when you were away in Italy. I suppose he took what I said and turned it into this mansion because most of them were about the kind of house you dreamed of."

The house was quite beautiful. The kitchen, floors, light fixtures, and even the bathrooms were all precisely how I imagined my future house to look. The allure was further enhanced by the stunning view of the lake.

I mumble, "That's wonderful." I'm at a loss for words. I want to thank Blaine for realizing my dream and kissing him, but something keeps getting in the way.

"It was pretty easy to remember everything; I remember your HGTV obsession," she said with a grin.

I think I used to watch Property Brothers, Flip or Flop, and House Hunters nonstop when I was in high school. Though I could build the ideal house in my imagination, it was never quite finished. I was clear about what I wanted, but I had no idea how it would all come together. " Blaine made it happen."

I reply, "Hey, HGTV doesn't get enough credit."

I carry on talking to Mirabel, but my mind is preoccupied with one idea.

If he never thought he would be my partner, then why would he build this house? Even though he was going to mark Mirabel, he still built this house for me!