Page 173 of A Second Dawn
“I’m sorry,” I say again. “For our fight yesterday.”
“You were right. We needed to cool off. It’s all good, lucida.”
I bob my head, the tears still streaming from my eyes. I know he wants to take me into his arms to comfort me, but he’s holding back… for my sake, because I told him I’m giving Tiero a second chance.
Instead, he opts to stroke the back of my hand with his fingers. It’s familiar and soothing, and part of me is lapping it up.
I look up and search the room for Tiero. He’s standing at the end of the bed, arms crossed, watching us intently.
His expression is unreadable. Though he seems calmer than when my panic hit. I don’t spot anger in his demeanor.
And then the unthinkable happens.
Tiero steps toward Ade, holding out his hand to him.
“Thank you.” His voice is earnest and full of gratitude. I let out another long breath, taken positively aback by Tiero’s gesture.
I look at Ade. He rises to his feet, staring at Tiero’s outstretched hand, unmoving. I hold my breath.
Please take it.
Glancing at Tiero and then back to his outstretched hand, Ade hesitates.
Come on, Ade,I will him.
The seconds tick by. Just when the scene looks like becoming an impossibly awkward standoff, Ade finally takes Tiero’s hand, and they shake firmly.
Could this be the beginning of a truce? Please God, let it be.
Tiero sits down beside me and pulls me close against his body.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers against my neck. “I’m sorry I didn’t spot you were spiralling into a panic attack.” His expression screams guilt. “Please forgive me.”
I nuzzle closer, relishing his touch.
“There’s nothing to forgive. You took charge of the situation with the IV and the doctors. That’s what was needed.”
He places a gentle kiss on my forehead and wipes away the last of my tears with his thumbs. I know he needs to touch me after this episode, but it’s also a claiming of sorts in front of Ade who takes a step back and leans against the wall.
“They’re testing the tampered IV solution. We should have the results any minute now,” Tiero tells us.
Time stretches, each passing second laden with tension. Nurse Anne is keeping a close eye on me, checking my vitals every few minutes.
Tiero is glued to my side, making sure his hand is always touching a part of me. It’s my anchor to sanity.
Finally, Dr. Smith enters the room, his face sombre. Tiero stands, his hand firmly intertwined with mine.
“Mr. Burg’s allegations were correct. The IV solution was tampered with,” he says, unable to maintain eye contact.
He looks pale and downright frightened. I guess he’s worked out who he’s dealing with.
His expression triggers a fresh wave of fear. My stomach drops, my heart rate spiking.
Oh god!
What poison is running through my veins?
“The solution in the IV was to trigger an abortion. It was double strength,” Dr. Agosti fills in. For the first time since meeting him, he’s full of apprehension.