I rushed to her side. There she was my Aurora those beautiful blue eyes locked with mine. I could see the flicker of excitement in them, but also something else… something faint and fragile. I knelt beside her, cupping her face in my hands like porcelain.
"Baby, what happened to you?" My voice cracked with worry. "How could you leave your pills behind? You really are careless."
"Jake, I'm—"
"Let me talk," I cut her off, overwhelmed. "And what of your hoodie? You could've taken that along too. How could you let your guard down?" My voice trembled. "What would have happened to me if I'd lost you?"
I kissed her forehead gently and stood back up, pacing restlessly. "I accept I'm at fault here I was a fool but dammit, Aurora, you should've stayed at Angel's place for the night!" She flinched as my voice rose.
"Knowing your condition, why the hell would you risk your life for a damn cell phone?" I raked my hand through my hair, overwhelmed.
"Jake, I'm fine!" she snapped. "You don't understand, damn it!" Crash!
The porcelain vase by the window shattered under my clenched fist.
Aurora flinched, eyes wide with fear, but I wasn't angry at her I was angry at myself.
I stood still, chest heaving, trying to calm my breath. I sniffed the air, grounding myself. Then, softly almost broken I said, "Do you know what I felt like when I heard your car fell off the bridge? My whole life everything was pointless in that second."
She looked at me, hesitant. "How was I supposed to know that? "God, you're still being naive." I shook my head and stepped closer. "I'm sorry, young lady but I'm crazy in love with you. I love you so much. I love you with everything in me. Get that into your head. It might save your life someday."
I turned away, heading for the door, chest tight with guilt and panic but before I could take another step, she grabbed my wrist. Her legs wobbled. She almost fell, but I caught her just in time, lifting her carefully back to the bed.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, looking up at me with pleading eyes. "I didn't mean to make you feel all that. I promise it won't happen again."
I stared at her, hard. "It better not repeat itself," I said, waiting for her to nod.
"I promise," she said, voice barely audible.
"Always be by my side."I will."
I leaned in, closing the space between us. I kissed her softly, just a gentle brush of emotion. But she pulled away, her face twisting slightly.
I paused. "What is it? Are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah. I am… but I don't feel good."
My eyes darkened with worry. "Tell me where does it hurt?"
"I'm okay, just that…"
Just what?" My voice was sharper than I intended.
"It's nothing."
"Aurora," I said firmly. "Are you sure?"
Yes, Jake."
I stepped back, brows furrowed, emotions all over the place. "Maybe I made a mistake kissing you. Maybe… you felt disgusted?"
Jake! What are you saying?"
"I saw the look in your eyes when you pulled away. Please, don't deny that." She looked stunned, hurt. "Your words… they're hurting me."
I turned away, ashamed and confused. I couldn't face her, not like this. Silence settled like a thick fog until I heard her soft sobs. "Please… look at me for once," she whispered, her voice cracking as tears fell.
Something in her voice made my heart stop. I turned and froze. Her lips. They were no longer the soft pink I loved. They were darkening… turning purple. My breath caught in my throat.
"God your lips… what are they turning into?"
Panic surged through me. "Aurora, I… I guess that's why you were feeling uncomfortable all along?" My voice trembled. "Why didn't you tell me?!"
She opened her mouth to speak, but the words didn't come out. She was slipping.
I didn't wait. I slammed the emergency button beside the bed and screamed for a nurse.
"Help! Someone, help! Her lips she can't breathe right!" Doctors rushed in, nurses scrambled, alarms blared and all I could do was hold her hand and whisper: "Don't you dare leave me. Not after I just got you back."