"Woah," the nurse gasped as she stepped into the hospital room. Her wide eyes scanned the space.
"Did your boyfriend leave all these?" the female doctor chimed in, her tone carrying equal parts curiosity and envy.
"Wow, I'm so jealous," the nurse sighed, shaking her head.
And who wouldn't be? The room was filled with chrysanthemums in an unusual shade of purple, a blend of pink and red. Her favorite.
Riley stepped in, stopping in her tracks as she took it all in. "Woah, that's... a lot."
"Doctor. Nurse," she greeted politely before turning to Peace, Ashley close behind with a bemused expression.
Ashley slipped her hand into Peace's. "Hey, how are you feeling?"
Peace offered a weak smile. "I'm good."
Ashley's detective instincts kicked in almost immediately. "Wanna tell us what happened?"
"I fell in the pool," Peace replied, her tone casual but guarded.
Ashley arched a brow, her sharp eyes scanning for any signs of injury. Peace knew there wouldn't be any, he never left visible marks. That was the problem. Convincing anyone he was real felt impossible.
Riley sat down beside her, placing a tray laden with breakfast on the small table. The food was styled beautifully, each dish artfully plated. But Peace's stomach churned at the thought of eating.
"Will she be discharged today?" Ashley asked the doctor.
Doctor Elly nodded with a soft smile. "Yes, all her vitals are stable. She can go home."
Ashley's gaze turned playful as she subtly showed off her engagement ring. "Thank you, that's great to hear." She rested a hand on Riley's shoulder, and Doctor Elly took the hint, exiting with a knowing smile.
Even with the effort Ashley had put into the breakfast, Peace couldn't muster an appetite. The sugary sweetness of everything felt cloying.
"Don't you like it?" Ashley asked, her voice tinged with guilt. Her hands disappeared into the pockets of her soft cashmere sweater.
Peace forced another smile. "I do."
She couldn't bring herself to admit that the only sweet thing she liked was her coffee. Everything else was too much for her to stomach.
---
Outside the hospital, Peace took a deep breath, the fresh air soothing against her skin.
"Want to hang out at our place?" Riley offered as she slid into her convertible.
Peace shook her head, climbing into the passenger seat. "Nah, I'm good. Just drop me off at home."
The trees blurred past as they drove, her mind wandering to the events of the night before.
His panic when the oxygen failed. The desperation in his voice as he breathed life back into her.
The way he refused to leave, even when the doctors and nurses insisted. He had stayed all night.
She sighed, her phone buzzing with a new message.
Come over for family dinner.
Her mom's text gleamed on the screen.
Without a second thought, Peace powered off her phone and stared out the window.
She wasn't ready to see her family. Not yet.