Chapter 8
"Yeah, it seems our 'luck' ran out tonight," Gary whispered. The sound of fabric rustling echoed in the quiet hospital room. "I spent the whole night pretending to look for her. How are you going to make it up to me?"
"Stop it, we're in a hospital..." Delilah giggled again.
The wet sound of mouths connecting hit Giana's ears.
Under the thin hospital blanket, Giana's hands curled into tight fists. Her fingernails dug so hard into her palms that the skin nearly broke. A wave of pure disgust rolled through her stomach.
Before she could rip the blanket off and scream at them, the sharp click of high heels sounded in the hallway outside.
The brass door handle turned.
Gary and Delilah jumped apart like they had been shocked with electricity. Gary quickly smoothed his hair. Delilah wiped her mouth.
Angele pushed the heavy door open. She held a stack of medical bills. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.
Gary instantly dropped into the chair next to Giana's bed. He grabbed Giana's limp hand and squeezed it.
"Aunt Angele, why isn't she waking up? I'm so scared of losing her," Gary said, his voice cracking with fake emotion.
Giana couldn't take it anymore. The feeling of his sweaty skin on hers made her want to vomit.
She let out a soft groan, squeezed her eyes shut tightly, and then slowly fluttered them open.
"Giana! My baby, you're awake!" Angele dropped the papers and rushed to the side of the bed. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Thank God!" Gary let out a loud, dramatic sigh. He leaned down, aiming his lips at the back of Giana's hand.
Giana's eyes went ice cold. Before his mouth could touch her skin, she ripped her hand out of his grip. The sudden movement yanked the IV tube, sending a sharp sting up her arm.
Gary kissed empty air. He froze, his face hovering awkwardly over the bed. A flash of genuine anger crossed his eyes.
"Don't touch me, Gary. I'm nauseous," Giana said. Her voice was weak, but the disgust in her tone was razor-sharp.
Angele thought it was a symptom of the concussion. She quickly pushed Gary by the shoulder. "Step back, Gary. Give her some air."
Gary gritted his teeth and stepped back.
Delilah moved closer to the bed, putting on her sweet, concerned face. "Giana, you terrified us! How could you be so clumsy..."
"Delilah, my head hurts. I don't want to hear your voice right now," Giana cut her off completely. She didn't even look at Delilah.
Delilah's mouth snapped shut. She exchanged a panicked look with Gary. Giana was acting like a completely different person.
Giana turned her head to look at Angele. The coldness vanished from her eyes, replaced by soft, genuine tears.
"Mom, I'm so sorry I made you worry again," Giana reached out and grabbed Angele's hand.
"Oh, sweetie, it's okay. You're safe," Angele cried, stroking Giana's hair.
"When I was falling down those stairs, I thought I was never going to see you again," Giana said, her voice trembling. "It made me realize how stupid I've been."
The room went dead silent. Gary and Delilah stopped breathing.
"I've wasted so much time on useless things and useless people," Giana said, shooting a cold glare straight at Gary.
Gary swallowed hard. He took a step back.
"I'm done partying," Giana looked back at Angele, her voice hard and determined. "When I get out of here, I'm focusing entirely on my grades. I'm going to get into an Ivy League school. I won't disappoint you and Dad anymore."
Angele gasped. She covered her mouth with both hands, sobbing with absolute joy. "Giana... I am so proud of you!"
In the corner of the room, Gary and Delilah looked like they had been punched in the stomach. If Giana became a perfect, successful daughter, their plan to steal the Caldwell inheritance was completely dead.
Suddenly, the heavy hospital door was violently pushed open.
Dave Ortiz walked into the room. He wore a black suit and a blank, terrifying expression.
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