Reading Lara (#3)

Chapter 10

It's dark and the house is quiet when I wake up.

I see no sign of Maddox as I walk downstairs to the kitchen for a glass of water. My eyes feel puffy from crying and my mind is crammed with thoughts of earlier today.

As I drink my water, I spot a note hanging from the fridge. I set the glass on the counter and walk over to the fridge, ripping the note away from it. It's from Maddox.

Lara,

I've decided to give you some time and stay at my office for a couple days. I want you to know that I never meant to hurt you or keep what I did from you. I love you, sweetheart and nothing or nobody will ever change that. When you're ready to talk, I'll be here.

Maddox

I hold the note to my chest as I sob brokenly. He left me. I ran off the only man I've ever loved wholeheartedly.

What is happening to my life?

* * *

Three Days Later...

It's been three days. Three days of nothing but silence in this big, empty house. Three days of me not eating and sleepless nights. And three days since Marcus came to visit me.

I don't know how much longer I can take being like this. November called yesterday to say she would be by to check on me. Maddox must have called her. He can't check on me, so he's having his mother do it. The thought of that hurts me more.

I move upstairs and into the bathroom to take a shower. I take my time washing my hair and body, letting the bathroom turn into a sauna before I turn off the water and step out. I decide to catch up on some laundry and make lunch for once in the past few days.

As I'm tossing a load in the dryer, a strong wave of pain rushes through my lower stomach, causing me to gasp and hold the area. What the hell was that?

It comes again seconds later and I rush to the bathroom. That's when I see the blood. There's not much in the lining of my panties, but it's there nonetheless. I finish and wash my hands, utterly freaked.

Then, everything goes black.

* * *

Alpha Maddox Teller-

"Why don't you just go home, Maddox? Explain things to her," Lennon asks from my office door.

I sigh and run my hands over my face. "I can't. She hasn't called or anything. She's obviously not ready to talk. Me going home won't help the situation."

"It's been three days. You look like s**t, man. And you two being apart isn't good for either of you."

"I don't know. I-..." My phone rings, cutting me off. I answer. "Yeah?"

I hear sobbing. "Maddox, honey," Mom greets.

"Mom? What's wrong?"

She hiccups. "You need to get to the hospital. Now, Maddox. It's Lara," she says and I feel the fear and worry set in.

"What happened?" I ask nervously, making my way to my car.

"I found her in the bathroom upstairs. Her face is covered in bruises, Maddox. She was unconscious when your father and I got there."

No.

Please, no.

* * *

I make it to the hospital in record time.

After being buzzed in, I receive Lara's room number and run to that part of the hospital, my heart racing the entire time. At the waiting area, I see Mom, Dad, Aunt Layla, Uncle Nash, Mayson, Lennon, and my sisters all sitting in chairs.

Dad stands up when I approach. "Son-"

"What happened to her?" I demand.

"Now, Maddox-" he places a hand on my shoulder, but I shrug him off.

"What happened?!" I shout desperately.

"She's pregnant," he says. "They don't think she knew. Someone did a number on her, also. Doc says the bruises are new, can't be more than a couple days old."

"Is she okay?" I whisper, feeling my throat become tight. "Is the baby okay?"

"We don't know, yet. You can go see her, though." I rush down the hall to her room and am greeted by a doctor exiting.

"I'm sorry, Alpha. Visiting hours are over."

"She's my mate and the mother of my child," I inform him.

He sighs. "Miss Henderson is asleep. Try to keep quiet," he says, walking away. "Doc?"

He turns around. "Yes?"

"How is she?" I ask. I need to know before I walk in.

"She's stable. The fetus is also perfectly healthy at about four weeks into the pregnancy. As for her injuries, there was rage behind this. Whoever did this did it to prove a point."

"But, why was she unconscious?"

"Her body was under a lot of strain, which caused the spotting. It's common in the early stages of pregnancy. She has a minor head injury from when she passed out, but everything looks fine. She should make a full recovery," he explains.

Thank the fates.

I nod in acknowledgment. "Thank you," I tell him before walking into her room. The lights are off, but I can still see her small form in the darkness. The only light comes from the streetlights outside.

I take a seat in the chair beside her hospital bed. I hold her hand in mine as I listen to her soft snoring.

Man, I've missed my girl so much.

Though my mind and body are filled with worry, I force myself to try to get some sleep. I need to be alert and awake when she wakes up.