Page 46 of Rising Star

Emily spoke again. “Yes, Dr. Bera is a very good surgeon. I’ve assisted him a few times, and I can vouch for him. I’ll get updated on Maddie’s situation. You all stay here. I’ll be back as soon as I have more news for you.”

And as she said this, she transformed back into a doctor instead of a concerned sister. I bet it helped her to deal with the trauma. Or it was easier for her to manage this surreal reality if she viewed it as a doctor. She steeled her back and blew out a long breath before leaving us.

Without a word, Riley, Brent, and I all sat down, with our silence for company. Only the normal hospital sounds and our rushed breaths were heard through those bleak walls.

The wait became untenable. I watched my phone screen every couple of minutes as if Madison would text me any second to tell me it was all a prank. Unable to stay still any longer, I rose to my feet and paced the room. With my fingers laced behind my neck, I inhaled through my nose, praying for the coils tightening my stomach to loosen.

After what felt like forever, Emily walked in followed by Dr. Bera and his team.

Riley joined me in the middle of the room. I held my breath, balling my hands, bracing myself for the updates about Madison’s condition.

Emily stood next to me and grabbed my hand in hers, and right now, I needed all the support I could get.

“So?” I asked, in a breathless voice.

15

SAM

Seated in an armchair, I held the hand of a heavily sedated Madison, just as Mikaella advised me to. Since I couldn’t pull her into my arms, it was the only thing I could do, other than speak to her, that would let her know I was here by her side and would never go away.

“Hey, it’s me,” I said. Her visage was bruised and swollen. She had stitches on her cheek, a bandage over her forehead, IV lines attached to her arms, a neck line for life-saving drugs, a tracheal tube down her throat connected to a ventilator. And the rest of her body was wrapped in dressings under the hospital covers. She looked nothing like the woman I kissed goodnight almost twenty-four hours ago. Since she was placed in isolation to prevent infection, I had to be suited up—gown, cap, mask, gloves—before I could meet her.

The constant beeping sounds of the machines regulating all her vitals reverberated through the room.

A tear trailed down my face. “I’m so sorry. For everything. You shouldn’t be lying here.” I used my sleeve to rub my watery eyes. “The doctors said the next few days are critical. And they can’t tell me your prognosis until then. I am shaken up, Maddie. I need you. You-you have to fight this. Do you hear me? You gotta come back to me.” I raked my fingers through my hair. “I don’t wanna lie to you. It is bad, pretty bad. You have been banged up inside out. Don’t worry about your head, okay? That’s fine. Your left leg suffered the brunt of the injury. Nobody knows the outcome. You were in surgery for almost sixteen hours. The surgeon said there were some moments when the blood loss was massive. But you did good. I swear. You didn’t allow yourself to be sucked in. I’m proud of you. Because you are strength and courage, Maddie. And I am learning so much from you.”

My voice stuttered to a stop as I tried to swallow the giant lump in my throat.

“Maddie, gotta tell you something. I am done hiding my feelings from myself and from you. You see…I love you. I’ve been afraid to voice them out loud for the longest time. Afraid if I did, my happiness could be stolen from me. And I realize now it never mattered.” I snorted. “I didn’t even say the L-word out loud, and you still got hurt. My heart almost got ripped out of my chest no matter what. I should have told you when I had the chance. I’m so sorry you never heard those words from me before now.” I tightened my squeeze on her fingers and took a deep breath in to calm the storm rising in me. “Madison Prescott, I love you. I’ll tell you that every day for the rest of my life if you come back to me. To us. I will make your happiness my life’s mission.”

I leaned forward, hoping my words carried to her ears.

“You gotta be strong, okay?” I stared at her as if the intensity of it could reach a place deep inside her, and I addressed the flame, I knew she possessed, to fight for her life. “You better fight this and win. I know you’ll get through this because you’re strong and stubborn, and you never back down when you know you can do something. I won’t let you give up. You have my word on that.” I huffed. “You’re not alone. You have me. Just get better.” A soft laugh left my pinched lips. “If you could see how badass you look right now. Like you got knocked out in the ring. Don’t worry, your face…it’ll all heal.”

I pressed my forehead to our joined hands, hoping I could send all the healing vibes through this contact. I closed my eyes to decrease the wild beating of my heart and prayed like I have never prayed before.

Then I opened my eyes. “Emily has been taking care of you. We’re all waiting for you to get well. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

The automatic doors of the single ICU room opened, startling me, and I straightened in my chair, wiping away the tears soaking my face.

“How are you holding on, Mr. Stevens?” Mara, the nurse in charge of Madison asked, dressed in the same isolation gown as me, observing the data displayed on the monitors and noting them on a tablet.

“Same.”

“Let’s talk outside, okay?”

I nodded and followed her after I whispered one last I love you to Madison.

Mara and I both removed our masks, and I let the heaviness of the situation register. Away from Madison, I didn’t have to pretend to be stronger than I really was.

“Any updates?” I asked, pushing my hands into my pockets, not knowing what to do with them.

“Ms. Prescott’s vitals are stable. The next forty-eight to seventy-two hours are critical. She’s not out of the woods yet, but she’s in good hands. We’re hopeful.”

I bowed my head.

Emily joined us and moved to stand beside me, gripping my arm fiercely.