Stretcher 71

After that scare, Dad ended up in the hospital.

Even after the ICU brought him back, he stayed in a coma.

But then the hospital called–he’d finally woken up.

Mom and Lila were both wrecks.

So it fell on me, the only one thinking straight, to go see him.

He sat propped up, oxygen mask over his face, staring at the blinds–covered window.

Not that he could see much.

Pretty sure the last thing he wanted to see was me.

Too bad.

I was the only one who bothered showing up.

I tucked his blanket in with a smile.

Told him everything that had gone down.

Rick called off the wedding.

After all the family disasters, who’d wanna marry into us?

Didn’t even get the deposit money back–just a quick, ugly breakup.

Then I told him what Brayden tried to pull on me.

“How high that rooftop was. And man, the wind that night…”

“Crazy coincidence, huh? Brayden just had to fall right in front of you.”

“I didn’t bother warning him the railing was busted.”

“Watching him panic and fall–I’ve never felt so free.”

“A bastard like him? Hell’s the only place he belongs.”

Dad’s eyes nearly popped out of his head,

His breathing turned ragged, knuckles shaking as he clenched the sheets.

I took his hand gently, whispering:

“Lila’s sick again. She’ll probably be joining Brayden soon.”

“Mom cries herself to sleep every night… especially since I dumped Brayden’s ashes in that ditch.”

“But you get it, don’t you, Dad?”

“You used to beat me every chance you got.”

“Wanted to marry me off when we couldn’t pay the bills.”

“Now I’m broke, so I dumped Brayden.” Read full story at Find1Novel.net

00:21

“Guess I learned it from you–sometimes we just don’t have a choice.”

Tears welled in his eyes. His cracked lips rasped:

“Monster…”

I sneered.

“Look who’s talking. You’re no better. We’re all monsters here.”

All at once, his chest heaved like he was drowning.

He gripped my hand with desperate strength, eyes blazing red.

And then the heart monitor flatlined with a single sharp beep.

I pried his stiff fingers off mine.

Doctors said his heart was too weak, he couldn’t handle any more shocks.

But me?

I thought it was perfect.

Because Dad?

He deserved to rot in that same ditch with Brayden.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.