I stare at Grayson, then at Torrance, unconscious in the hospital bed. "Did they say what the damage was?" I whispered. He shook his head.
The doctor came in. "Grayson, right? Torrance's brother?" he asked.
"Yes, I am," he responded.
The doctor glanced at me. "Your Torrance's wife?" he asked.
Grayson shot me a confused look. I gave him a 'just go with it' look and nodded to the doctor. "Yes, I am," I lied.
The doctor explained some things but said there wouldn't be terminal damage. He should recover in about a week or two. I sighed in relief – thank God. As the doctor left, Grayson leaned against the wall. "So, wife?" he grinned.
I groaned. "It was the only way I could see him," I blushed.
He laughed. "You know he's going to make it real, right?" He flashed a grin.
I stuttered but backed down. He wasn't wrong...Torrance would've proposed. I sighed and sat in a chair next to him. "It's going to be okay..." I whispered, tracing his scars.
"I've known Torrance my whole life, and not once has he been sweet on a woman before," Grayson began. "You're special...He talks about you all the time." He continued.
I smiled at the thought. "I think of him too," I replied.
"He will get through this, okay? He is strong," Grayson comforted.
I hummed. "I know...he will," I smiled.
I leave the room after some minutes and get a snack. I missed food....not eating for days isn't the best choice. I get back in the room and see a small, young girl, maybe around 5, clinging onto Torrance, who was still unconscious. I look at Grayson, who seems stressed and tired. "Is this the kid?" I asked.
He nodded. "Yeah, but she won't talk about anything," he sighed.
I looked at the girl again and saw how close she was to Torrance. I sat in the chair and offered her a cookie from the pack. She looked with dull eyes and slowly took the cookie. I smiled, but it faded as her eyes were still cold and dark. I felt bad...this girl must've been through so much. "What's your name?" I asked softly.
"A-Athenia," She stuttered as she ate the cookie slowly.
I take in the appearance of the girl. She has a pink cast on her right arm, which is being held by a small sling. She has bruises and cuts, but the thing that gets my attention is a mark on her left wrist. It has a variety of numbers. 6 black numbers on her skin, Was she branded?....I look at the numbers again. 746291...None of the numbers repeat nor do they symbolize anything since she is too young for a tattoo. I walk to grayson. "Hey the girls wrist is that-" I begin.
"Yes...it is." He responds quickly clearly not thrilled about it either. "Where are her parents" I asked, Grayson looks at me then looks away. "Its confidential" he mumbles.
I wanted to ask another question until I heard a groan, I turn to see Torrance stirring awake. his eyes flutter. "Torrance" I whisper. I start walking back but stop in my tracks along with grayson when we hear the girl call him daddy. I look at grayson and he sighs and nods knowing my question before I ask.
My mind swam. Daddy? Torrance, who stalks me and takes down underground rings, is a father? I bit my lip, so many emotions crashing over me. Jealousy, confusion, disbelief, a pang of protectiveness towards the little girl...what should I do and think now?
Before I could formulate a coherent thought, Torrance's eyes fully opened. They were dark, swirling pools, and they locked onto me immediately. His gaze was intense, possessive, burning away any lingering doubts I had about his feelings. But then, his eyes flickered down to Athenia, and the possessiveness softened, replaced by a tenderness that nearly broke my heart.
"Athenia…" he rasped, his voice rough from disuse. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Are you alright, bambina?"
Bambina? He's Italian?
Athenia nodded, clinging tighter to his arm. He looked back at me, a question in his eyes. I tried to smile, tried to act like this wasn't completely throwing me for a loop, but I'm sure I failed miserably.
"Torrance," I said softly, "You're awake. That's… that's good."
He frowned slightly, sensing my unease. "Isabella? What are you doing here?" he growled, his protective instincts kicking in. "Is something wrong at Northernglades?"
He still called it by its name, he still knew I was his Isabella.
I shook my head. "No, everything's fine. Grayson called me. He said you were hurt."
His gaze hardened on Grayson. "And why would you do that?"
Grayson shrugged. "Because she cares about you, fratello. And because you needed someone here. Someone who actually gives a damn."
Torrance glared, then looked back at me, his expression softening slightly. He reached out a hand, and I hesitantly took it. His touch was warm, strong, reassuring.
"Isabella…" he said, his voice low and husky. "Thank you for coming."
The warmth spread through me, chasing away some of the cold confusion. But then Athenia stirred in his arms, and the question flared up again: Who was this child? And what was her connection to Torrance?