Page 26 of Life Or Death

She doesn’t want to hear that anymore than I want to say it.

Tori sighs, reaching for my hand. “I met with your new doctors before the transfer. They all seem wonderful. Dr. Patel especially seems to know his stuff.”

I remain silent, staring at the ceiling.

Only the best for Mrs. Holland.

“They also mentioned you’ll be starting counseling soon.” She squeezes my hand. “It’ll be good to talk to someone professional about everything you’re feeling. Process it all, you know?”

I close my eyes. Therapy won’t fix me. I can talk until I’m blue in the face, but it won’t change the facts. My life before is gone. Pain and suffering, horrific scars, and staring at the ceiling—it’s all my new normal. I know it would be easier for her if I just accepted it. If I just plastered on a smile and thanked God for allowing me to live—but I can’t do it.

“I, um . . .” Tori hesitates, and I open my eyes to find her staring at our joined hands. “I’m going back to work tonight. Max has been understanding, but I’ve used up all my sick days and then some.”

The thought of being alone in this hospital room sends a spike of panic through me, but I bite it back. Tori has her own life to live.

“It’s going to be a little difficult for me to be here every day,” she continues. “Between work, taking care of Poppy, and the hospital being over an hour away now . . .” She trails off, her eyes searching mine before she slips off the bed and returns to her purse. Rummaging inside, she produces a sleek new phone and places it on the rolling table beside my bed, along with a charger.

I stare at it blankly for a beat, then lift my gaze to her.

“What happened to my old phone?”

“It wasn’t recovered from the bar.” She picks up the new phone and holds it out to me. “I programmed my number in. We can add anyone else you want to . . .” She pauses, her gaze hopeful. “Maybe Amelia?”

At the mention of my coworker, my eyes snap to Tori’s face. I hadn’t even thought about Amelia. She was there the night of the fire, working the floor alongside me.

“She’s okay,” Tori says quickly, reading my expression. “She’s called me a few times to check in on you. I’m sure she’ll visit when you’re up to it.”

Tori adds Amelia’s number to the contacts, then looks back at me. “Anyone else?”

I shake my head.

“I can’t accept this,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’re already doing too much, Tori. I don’t know when I’m going to be able to work again, or where, for that matter. The bar is . . .” I swallow hard. “It’s a heap of rubble. And you count on me for half the rent. I can’t let you spend money you don’t have on a phone I don’t need.”

Tori’s expression softens, and she picks up the phone, turning it over in her hands.

“I didn’t pay for this, Jess.” She meets my eyes, and something shifts in her gaze. “Lucifer did.”

Shock courses through me, but it quickly fades, giving way to anger.

“Take it back to him,” I demand.

I do not want to be anymore indebted to him than I already am.

“Did you know?” The question comes out sharper than I intended, and Tori flinches. “About the marriage. Did you know what he was doing?”

The silence that follows is deafening. Tori’s eyes drop to the phone in her hands, and I watch her throat work as she swallows.

“They needed a copy of your signature to forge the documents.”

The betrayal cuts deep.

“Why?” I croak.

Tori’s eyes fill with tears. “Because I was terrified, Jess. I didn’t find out what happened until Poppy and I got back from vacation, and when I got to the hospital, he was there. He had already told them you were his wife, and as mad as I was about that, I respected him for it. If he hadn’t done that, God knows what would’ve happened. He made sure you weren’t alone, and that you got the medical attention you needed.” She sighs heavily, dragging her fingers through her hair. “Look, he is not my favorite person. I think he’s shady as fuck, and . . .” Her voice trails, and she closes her eyes briefly. “ . . . the man drained his savings, Jess.” Her eyes spring open. “I had nothing to contribute.” She reaches for my hand, but I pull away. “I know it was wrong. I know it was a violation. But it was the only way to keep you getting the care you need.”

“So you sold me to him,” I say flatly.

Tori flinches as if I’ve struck her. “That’s not⁠—”