GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

 

Chapter 80: The Sound of Her Tears

*Nicolas*

My gaze lingered on her empty blue eyes, searching for any hint of emotion. They darted around the room unsteadily, unable to focus on anything in particular.

A single tear fell down her pale check, followed by another and then another, leaving painful trails in their wake.

My heart clenched at the sight of her in such agony. I couldn’t bear to see her like this.

In an instant, I was by her side, wrapping my arms tightly around her trembling form. Her s o b s shook her body as she buried her face into my chest, staining my shirt with her tears.

My own heart felt heavy as I held her close. Over the past few days, I had felt every bit of her pain, loss, and fear. But now, it was mixed with a sense of disappointment and something else that I couldn’t quite place. It was almost as if all hope was slipping away from her.

And I couldn’t let that happen. That was all we had left, and I needed to cling to it with every fiber of my being.

I looked up and signaled for the doctor and Sara to leave the room,

giving us some privacy. My mate needed me more than ever, and I would be there for her no matter what.

As soon as the room emptied, I pulled her closer to me. The warmth of her body radiated against mine as I pressed a comforting kiss to her forehead.

“It’s going to be fine, Riles,” I murmured, trying to console her.

I felt her shake her head frantically against my chest. “No…” she cried out. “No…”

She pulled away, her hands darting across my face. Her eyes moved back and forth, tears pouring out like rain. “No…” it was barely a whisper this time as if she had finally accepted the harsh reality.

Suddenly, she pushed me away with surprising strength and jumped to her feet. “Riley!” I reached out desperately to grab her, but she was too fast. She tried to run out of the room, but instead, she was charging face-first towards the wall at full speed.

“Riley, stop,” I screamed, sprinting after her so I could put her back in my arms where she was safe.

But she didn’t stop. I could only watch in horror as she slammed into the wall, the sickening thud ringing in my cars before she crumpled to

the floor.

Chapter 80: The Sound of Her Tears

I rushed to her side, lifting her into my arms and carrying her to our room. I wanted no one else to see her like this, in such a broken state. Her body shook violently as she continued to cry.

I pushed the door open, laid her gently on the bed, and held onto her tightly as she let out all of the pain and grief she had been holding inside.

It broke my heart to see her like this, but I knew she needed this release. And so I stayed by her side until she cried herself into exhaustion and fell asleep in my arms.

I could hear her steady breathing, and feel the rhythmic beat of her heart against my chest. My mate had sacrificed a lot for me, I can’t let her down. I need to find a way to get her sight back.

As silently as possible, I eased her away from me and replaced myself with a pillow before slipping out of bed. My bare feet padded. soundlessly across the cool wooden floor as I made my way to the door.

I prayed that the doctor was still waiting because I needed to speak with him urgently.

I tiptoed out of the room, shutting the door quietly. I made my way to the living room, hoping Vera would tell him to wait there.

Chapter 20. The Sound of Her Tears

And she did. The doctor was still waiting, just as I’d hoped.

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting so long.” I began, taking a seat opposite him. “She didn’t take it well.”

“I completely understand,” he replied, sympathetically.

“But this is only temporary, correct? She just needs some more time to heal and then her sight would return to her?”

“I wish I could say that, Your Majesty,” the doctor began. He looked up at me, the pity in his eyes obvious. I hated that. “But I’m afraid there’s a chance of permanent blindness.”

My face twisted in disbelief and desperation. “What are you talking

about?”

“Her eyes were burned by silver powder,” he explained. “The injuries. are too deep, too severe to heal fully in such a short time, or ever.”

“You can’t say that to me. There must be something you can do. I can’t go back and tell her that she might be blind… forever.”

“That’s the truth, I can’t lie to you, your majesty,” he replied.

I stared into the space. How did we get here? There was no way I could. tell Riley what the doctor just told me. After what occurred in this very

Chapter The Sound of Her Tears

room only an hour ago, I could only imagine what she would do to herself.

I had to protect her from this. I made up my mind without hesitation.

“You can’t say this to Riley. You can only tell her that her eyes will heal. It will take time, but it will heal.”

He nodded in understanding. “I’ll be sure to tell her that.”

“Tell me what?” a weak voice asked behind me.

I turned to find Riley, slowly making her way into the room, Sara by her side.

“You’re awake,” I said, stating the obvious.

Sara led her to me, sitting beside me. I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, signaling Sara to give us the room.

“Tell me what?” she asked again, her voice trembling with anticipation.

and fear.

I turned to the doctor, urging him to say the words, just as I had instructedhim.

His face was grave, his eyes flickering with concern. He cleared his

Chacter The Sound of H

throat before speaking. his professional tone masking any underlying emotions. “Well, I was just saying to Alpha Nicolas that your vision. would return. Your eyes just need more time to heal. But it will return.”

I watched Riley closely, hoping for some sort of reaction to the news, but her face remained blank. She simply nodded slightly.

“That would be all doctor, thank you,” I said, dismissing him.

With a nod, the doctor gathered his bag and silently left the room. Ast soon as his footsteps faded away, I felt Riley’s hand reach out and grasp mine tightly.

“Will I never see you again?” she whispered, her voice breaking with despair. “Will I never see your face again? Or never know what my babies look like? I can’t live like this, Nic. I can’t.”

I closed my eyes, pulling her into my arms. “That won’t happen, Riles. You’re going to see it again. Everything will be all right,” I reassured her gently.

But deep down, I knew the truth.

I failed her, again.