Chapter 148: Stay away from Lysander.

We walk into Victoria’s ward, and the sight of her makes the words I’ve been rehearsing all the way from the parking lot disappear.

She looks so tired and thin.

The hospital gown hangs loosely from her shoulders, and her face seems smaller than I remember. There are shadows beneath her eyes, and her skin is pale against the white pillow. A monitor beeps steadily beside her bed. The sound is quiet, but it keeps reminding me how close I came to losing her.

When she sees us, a smile spreads across her face.

"I was starting to wonder when you’d come see me."

She tries to lift both arms, as if she’s going to pull me into a hug. But she doesn’t have the strength. Her arms barely rise before they fall back onto the bed.

My throat tightens.

"Don’t do that," I say, hurrying to her side. "You’re supposed to be resting."

"I am resting." Her voice is weak, but the teasing is still there. "I was just checking whether you’d forgotten about me."

"As if I could."

I lean down and wrap my arms around her carefully. She feels so fragile that I’m afraid to hold her too tightly. I settle one hand behind her shoulders and the other against her back, drawing her close without putting pressure on the places that might hurt.

She presses her cheek against me and for a while, we stay like that.

When I finally pull away, she studies my face.

"You look awful," she murmurs.

I sniff. "You look worse."

"Rude."

"You started it."

Her smile widens, then fades a little as she shifts against the pillows. I immediately reach for her hand.

"Does it hurt?"

"Everything hurts," she admits. "But I’m alive, so I suppose I’ll stop complaining."

"You can complain as much as you want."

"Good. Because I have a list."

Isabella comes to the other side of the bed and takes Victoria’s hand. She asks how she’s feeling, and Victoria gives her the same answer she’s been giving everyone: tired, sore, and desperate to get out of the hospital.

We talk about ordinary things instead of the crash and the ridiculous attention it’s getting.

Victoria complains about the hospital food, saying she’s had enough of meals that taste like they were cooked by someone who hates joy.

I laugh, and for a little while, the room feels lighter. Then a nurse appears at the door and reminds us that visiting hours are over.

Victoria lets out a dramatic sigh. "Already?"

"We’ll come back soon," I promise.

"You’d better."

I squeeze her hand before stepping away. Isabella kisses her cheek and tells her to rest. Victoria gives us both a tired smile as we leave, and I look back at her twice before the door closes.

We walk down the corridor and outside the hospital. Promising to come see her again soon. Isabella wants to come tomorrow. I tell her we should check with the nurses first, but I’m already planning to return as soon as I can.

We’re still discussing it when a voice calls from behind us.

"Hi..."

I turn.

And I thought my day couldn’t get any worse but apparently, that was a lie.....it just got much worse.

It’s the fucking bimbo from Lysander’s office.

Why does she have to be everywhere?

I sigh, letting my eyes travel over her. She’s wearing another corset, and her breasts are practically spilling out of it as usual. The sunlight coming through the hospital windows catches on her chest, making it shine and glisten.

Did she....did she oil her boobies?

I nearly roll my eyes to the back of my skull.

Isabella glances between us, clearly trying to work out why this woman is approaching us. I’m wondering the same thing. I thought I’d left her behind at the club. Apparently, she’s decided to follow me into the hospital too.

"How can I help you?" I ask.

She looks me up and down, her lips pressed together.

"I need you to stay away from Lysander."

I stare at her and for moment, I honestly wonder if I heard her correctly. I look at her properly. There’s a faraway look in her eyes, and she’s swaying lightly on her feet. She seems high.

Yeah. That’s probably the only reason this fucking bitch just told me to stay away from MY husband.

"What the fuck?" Isabella exclaims. She turns to me, brows drawn together. "What’s going on, Rissa?"

I sigh and face her. "Ask your brother. He brought this bitch into our home, and now she thinks she has the audacity to stand here and tell me what to do."

"Don’t call me a bitch!" the woman snaps.

I look back at her. "Then stop acting like one."

"Fuck you and your all-prim-and-proper personality." She points at me, her finger trembling slightly. "I’m not fucking joking. Stay away from Lysander. He was mine. He is mine. Mine!. Not yours. He never was yours. He was all mine before you came along and ruined what we had."

I stare at her, trying to decide whether I’m more offended by the words or by the fact she’s saying them to me in a hospital corridor.

My marriage might be a mess. Lysander and I might fight more than we talk and I might still be furious with him.

But he is my husband.

And she doesn’t get to stand in front of me and claim him like he’s something she misplaced.

I about to say something, but she catches my wrist.

"Okay," shes say, keeping my voice flat. "I’m not standing here listening to this shit. Come on, Rissa. Let’s leave."

The woman lunges forward and grabs Isabella’s hand.

"I wasn’t done talking to her."

Isabella stiffens. I move before I even think, grabbing the woman’s wrist and pulling her hand away. I fling it aside and step in front of my sister-in-law, putting myself between them.

"Don’t you ever touch my sister again."

The woman glares at me. Isabella’s hand finds mine and squeezes it, trying to pull me back.

"This isn’t necessary, Rissa. Let’s go."

I want to. God, I want to leave this woman behind and never see her again. I’m tired and I have no patience left for whatever pathetic performance this is supposed to be.

But the bimbo steps in front of us.

"Listen to me," she says, her voice suddenly low.

She reaches into her bag and pulls out something.

A gun.

My body goes still and I move fully infront of Isabella.

She holds it up, flashing it in my face.

"I’m not fucking joking," she says. "Stay. Away. From. Lysander, you fucking bitch. This is just a warning next time it will be more than that."

Then she turns and walks away, shaking her probably fake ass too.