Page 115 of Irreplaceable

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Istared up at the ceiling as if in a daze. My baby had been ripped from my womb. My stomach had been stapled shut. But it was my heart that was the most battered and bruised.

I was broken and sad, and my son—my baby—was hooked up to a respirator in the NICU. I’d seen him briefly before being wheeled to my room, and he was beautiful. Beautiful and miraculous but struggling.

And he wasn’t the only one. God, I felt as if I’d been to hell and back. My body—I was on so many drugs, it was difficult to keep track of them all. A cocktail of painkillers, antibiotics, and who else knew what. I was dirty and exhausted. Defeated and broken.

I knew I should be grateful to be alive. That my child was alive. But I was… I let out a deep sigh, my bones weary and my heart heavy. I didn’t know how I was going to get through this. Especially not when it felt as if my body had been plowed over by a Mack truck—repeatedly. Worst of all, the one person I wanted to comfort me had caused me immense pain.

There was a knock at the door, but I continued to stare at the ceiling. The nurses and doctors came in and out as they pleased. I so appreciated them and their efforts, but I just wanted to be left alone. I was so tired. So very tired.

“Hey, Harp,” Dad said, taking the seat next to my bed. “You’re awake. How are you feeling?”

I lifted a shoulder as the door closed, grateful for the privacy. “Okay, I guess.” I tried not to cry when Dad took my hand and held it in his.

“You’ve been through quite the ordeal,” he said. “You scared the shit out of me.”

I laughed and wiped away a tear. “I’m not sure I’ve ever heard you curse.”

“I felt the situation warranted it. We were all scared, and I know Enzo was too.”

I scoffed and turned away. Enzo was in Abu Dhabi, and I hadn’t heard from him since our fight. Did he know I was in the hospital? Did he even care?

Dad rubbed my hand, and it was so comforting. His warm, gentle touch. “Enzo’s a good man. He loves you and Aiden. He’s been here nonstop, doing everything he can for the two of you.”

I frowned. “What are you talking about? Enzo’s in Abu Dhabi.”

Dad shook his head. “He’s here. He came as soon as he found out you were rushed to the hospital.”

“What?” I shrieked. Why had no one told me this?

“He and Nico bring your team and the NICU team snacks and coffee every shift change. He checks in on you every night. Enzo’s been sitting with you while you’re sleeping. Then he goes to the NICU and stays with Aiden all night. He’s been learning how to care for him.”

None of this made any sense. There was no way Enzo would give up on his dream to win the World Cup. None.

Dad nodded. “I think you should talk to him.” He paused. “Only when you’re up for it. I will not have you jeopardizing your recovery, but I fear for your heart.”

He was right. And knowing that Enzo was here—that he’d sacrificed his dream for me?

“I want to see him.” I needed to see him. Needed to know what had happened.

“Of course.” Dad stood and headed for the exit.

A few minutes later, Enzo stood in the doorway, a large bouquet of blue flowers in hand. He opened his mouth to speak, but I shook my head, tears forming in my eyes.

“Oh my god. You’re really here.” I lifted my hand to my lips, scanning his form. Apart from the dark circles beneath his eyes and the worry creasing his brow, he looked as handsome as ever. He also seemed nervous, gripping the bouquet tightly, his lips in a line, almost buried beneath a thick layer of scruff.

“Uccellina,” he croaked, looking as if he might cry.

I blinked a few times, certain I must be hallucinating despite what Dad had told me. It wouldn’t be surprising, considering all the drugs I was on. Enzo stepped forward and placed the flowers on a shelf near the door, directly in my line of sight. I wondered what these blooms symbolized.

“I’m sorry.” He came to my side.

“What are you doing here?” I glanced at my phone to check the date. I’d been so out of it, and time had seemed to pass in weird increments since I’d come to the hospital. “Why aren’t you in Abu Dhabi?”

“I told you—” he took my hand in his and kissed it “—you are my life, and I cannot live without you.”

“But the World Cup, the…”