For once…I’m going to actually fight for the woman I want.
"Yes,” I say loud and clear, using every bit of strength to get on all fours, before I slowly get up, even with the world spinning. I turn to look him dead in the eye, seeing his rage initially but deep under those stunning eyes, I dare see a glimmer of pride.
“I owe Verena a chance to know the man who loves her. Not a projection of a past she knows nothing of. It may mean I have to start over, but so be it. I’ll start from scratch if it means I have a shot at trying to prove to her she’s not Iris and that I do care for her…even if it’s in my own unique way. If that means…youcan’t be in the picture because of what we have…it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to take.”
I have to pause, ignoring how my heartaches.
“Even if it means needing to let you go so I can dedicate to her 110%.”
No one says anything as we share an intense look. I can see his rage, how it burns and yearns to strike me.To burn me to ash.Yet, I’m positive he won’t lash out here.
I’ll have to deal with those consequences.
Theo rises, purposely using his hands to brush away the excess dirt before he looks at Zander and Ren.
“Get her to the car.”
He turns away not a second later.
“Do whatever the fuck you want. You think you can erase what made you, go and try,” he seethes. “See if I fucking care.
He’s stomping away before any of us can stop him, but I hear Zander mutter, “I’ll pick her. You’re probably gonna have to drive.”
“Probably. Let’s move.”
I look to confirm they’re moving Verena; Zander gathers Eva's limp form with infinite care, cradling her against his chest as he rises. Her head lolls against his shoulder, short silver hair spilling like liquid moonlight over his arms.
The sight makes my chest constrict with emotions I can't begin to untangle with everything else that’s tousling into a bundling mess of chaos.
"Warren." Ren's hand finds my shoulder, squeezing gently. I didn’t even catch his movement. “You can make it to the car?”
“Yeah…” I say that, but I’m not too sure."
“I’ll stick close,” he assures me instead. “But we should move.”
I nod, agreeing with the implications and the obvious rush as we play with time and fate. By the time we get closer to the car,I end up taking Ren’s help, needing it as exhaustion plagues my body and mind.
That adrenaline spike suddenly plummeted.
"You think she’s gonna give you a second shot?” Ren questions as he helps me as we reach the concrete and see a van in sight. I’m thankful to see Kian and Arlo already on deck, aiding in getting V inside and hooked up to machinery and IVs.
“If I’m worth a second shot, maybe,” I confess, unable to fight the heaviness in my eyes any longer. “I’ll prove it…to her…to anyone I need to.”
Maybe this time, I won’t be alone on this journey which will give me the courageous push to be a man and practice what I preach. Toward the next phase of a battle, I finally understand I can't fight alone.
Even if accepting help feels like another kind of surrender.
1
THE WHITE ROOM
~GEMINI~
The first thing I notice is the silence.
It’s not the kind of silence that comes after a storm or the quiet that settles in the early hours of the morning.
This silence is absolute, and oppressive, as if the world itself has been muted. I can’t hear my own breathing, the rustle of my clothes, or the sound of my footsteps as I shift my weight.
