𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 | 𝘙𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯

𝑨 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕

The next morning, we headed back to the hospital. We hadn't wanted to leave Anna, but the hospital rules didn't give us much choice. They had told us we needed rest and that only immediate family could stay overnight. Since the house where she was shot had turned into a crime scene, we were forced to get hotel rooms. I don't think I could have slept in that house anyway. The Pogues had managed to keep the money and gold safe, and I had my own funds to cover whatever we needed.

Amara had gone home, and so were Anna's friends, Sofia and Lucia,after finding out that Anna was stable. Amara tried to stick around, but I told her whatever lies I needed to, just to get her off my back. Breaking up with her had been strangely easy. I didn't feel a damn thing. The only person I cared about—the only person I ever really cared about-was Anna.

As soon as I stepped into Anna's hospital room, I nearly dropped to my knees. She was lying there, still and pale, but alive. The steady beep of the heart monitor was the only sound I could focus on, grounding me in the reality that she was still here.

She took a bullet for me. That thought played over and over in my mind, gnawing at me.

I stood frozen, unable to move, unable to speak. The sight of her lying there hit me harder than any punch l'd ever taken.

JJ was first to reach her , wrapping her in a careful hug."Anna, you scared the hell out of us," he said, his voice shaky with emotion.

Sarah followed, tears in her eyes as she hugged Anna tightly. "I'm so happy you're okay," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Pope and Kiara leaned in next, both of them scanning her face to make sure she was really okay. "How do you feel?" Kiara asked softly, concern written all over her face.
John B stood nearby, his relief evident in the way he exhaled deeply. "You're tough, Anna," he said, giving her a smile. "But don't put us through that again, alright?"

Anna gave them all a small smile.
"I'm okay," she assured them, her voice still a bit weak. "Really, I am."

I stood back, the feeling of not deserving to be as close to her as they were overtook me.
She could've died because of me. She almost fucking did.

I kept watching them crowd around her, their relief evident in every word, every touch.
They were kind of her only family, the people who'd been by her side long before I ever was. But she was my world. And seeing her surrounded by the people who loved her, who would do anything for her, only made me love her more.

After they had their moment, I couldn't hold back any longer. I moved closer to her, my heart pounding in my chest. When she looked up at me, I could see the pain in her eyes, but also something else-something that made me feel even worse. She didn't regret it.
She didn't blame me.

"Anna.." My voice cracked, and I had to swallow hard to keep it together. "I'm so sorry"

She reached for my hand, her grip surprisingly strong despite her condition. "Don't apologise," she whispered.

Once things settled down and I was finally sitting near her, my hand in her hand, JJ looked over at Anna.

"We should get a new house," he said,breaking the silence. "The old one... it's full of bad memories. We need to start fresh."

Kiara nodded, looking between Anna and me. "Maybe you and Anna should get a place close to us," she suggested. "So she's not far but you two still have a lot more privacy."

John B chimed in, his tone thoughtful. "It's a good idea. A fresh start for all of us."

I turned to Anna, and she met my gaze. The idea of starting fresh, somewhere new, felt right. We both needed it.

"Yeah," I agreed quietly, taking her hand. "Maybe that's what we need."

I kissed Anna's hand gently and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt like everything was going to be okay. This was our chance to move forward, to leave the past behind, and to start something new together.

But first I needed to do something, or else I would never find peace.

I needed to kill Ward Cameron.

Killing your own dad for a girl?

I wouldn't kill a person I looked up to for any other girl. But for Anna?
Yes, I would.