Caroline stepped up beside me, shooting me a sharp look. “Come on,” she said. “Let’s go.”
I followed, a sinking feeling settling in my gut.
Caroline never held back when she was angry, and I had a feeling she wouldn’t start now.
She marched ahead, footsteps hard and fast, her shoulders tight with tension.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw Caleb following, the same worried look etched across his face.
When we finally arrived at Evie’s room, Caroline came in first, and I followed. Evie was awake, and she looked at Caroline with a flat expression, probably thinking just another doctor coming in to check. I wasn’t sure if she realized Caroline had been there too, in the parking lot, when she spoke to Sloane.
Then her eyes found me. They lit up instantly.
I walked closer to her bed, and her gaze followed me.
“How are you feeling?” I asked.
“Like I’ve been hit by a car,” she said softly, trying to smile.
“I heard they’re keeping you overnight, just to be safe.”
“Yes,” she said, and I saw her eyes start to mist.
“Caleb already did an initial exam,” I continued. “Are you in any pain? Nausea? Dizziness?”
“A little dizzy,” she admitted. “It comes and goes.”
I gave a small nod. “They’ll keep monitoring you. That’s normal with a concussion, but if anything gets worse, you have to let them know right away.”
Caroline’s presence beside me started to weigh heavily, so I said, “This is Caroline, my sister.”
Evie’s eyes shifted to her, but she stayed silent.
“I’ll get straight to the point,” Caroline said, her voice tight with restraint. “I know you’ve been in an accident, and I’m sorry for that. But this ismyhospital, and I’m asking you to keep things calm. Don’t make this harder for Cameron, and especially not for Sloane. You’re an adult, and I expect you to handle this with some decency.”
Evie frowned. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I didn’t even realize this was the hospital he brought me to.”
“Maybe,” Caroline said, folding her arms. “But I bet you told yourself the same thing last week, right before you showed up and wrapped your arms around Cam in front of everyone.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose as a headache began to form. I’d expected Evie to shrink back under Caroline’s glare, but she didn’t.
Her voice was soft, but the anger behind it was unmistakable.
“That was wrong. I know that. But I was desperate. Desperate people in love often do foolish things. I’m sorry if I caused trouble.” She looked straight at Caroline. “But I love your brother. I’m not afraid to admit that, because it’s the truth. Even if he doesn’t love me back, I still love him.”
I was taken aback; I wasn’t expecting that kind of honesty in front of Caroline.
My sister looked just as stunned.
But Evie wasn’t done.
“I won’t apologize for loving him. I know what we had was wrong, and I am sorry for that. But I don’t regret how I feel. Not for a second.”
Caroline glanced up at me, and I met her eyes. For a moment, neither of us said anything. We were both stunned into silence.
Evie took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, they were shining with tears.
“Cameron ended things with me, and I’m still trying to accept it. But having all of you here, cornering me like this, it’s not helping. Please... just go.”
