Chapter 161: Excuse me?!.

When I come back to consciousness, the first thing I notice is the dizziness.

My head feels as though someone has stuffed it with cotton and is spinning it around. My vision swims in and out, and I struggle to make sense of the blurry shapes above me.

Am I lying down?

I try to move, but my body feels strangely heavy.

Then I feel something prick my arm, a needle.

I tense immediately.

Wait.

Does he need more? Are they taking more blood?

I try to lift my head, but the movement sends another wave of dizziness through me.

"No..."

My voice is barely audible. I try again, struggling to move my other hand.

"Don’t..."

But nobody seems to hear me or perhaps they do, and they simply don’t understand what I’m trying to say.

I feel another tug around my arm, followed by the faint sound of someone speaking.

Then everything fades again.

The next time I come around, there’s shouting. Someone sounds furious.

"Why the hell didn’t anyone check her properly? How much did you take from her?"

I wince. The voice sounds distant, almost as though it’s coming from somewhere deep inside my ears.

I try to open my eyes, but the light feels too bright.

"Rocco, you knew she was already exhausted! You should have stopped!"

Another voice responds, but I can’t make out the words.

I want to ask what’s happening, i want to tell them I’m fine.

I just need to know whether Lysander is okay but my tongue feels too heavy, and before I can gather enough strength to speak, consciousness slips away again.

When I finally come around properly, sunlight is pouring into the room.

I blink several times against the harsh brightness.

For a few seconds, I simply stare at the ceiling, trying to remember where I am.

My body feels heavy, my head hurts and my mouth is so dry that swallowing feels like work.

I slowly turn my head, then attempt to sit up.

Bad idea.

My vision immediately begins swimming, and I bring a hand to my forehead, trying to steady myself.

"Careful. You should lie back down."

I turn towards the voice to find Jeremiah

He’s sitting in a chair beside the bed, looking like absolute shit.

His shirt is creased, his hair is a mess, and there are dark circles beneath his eyes. He looks like someone who has spent the entire night running his hands through his hair and forgetting that sleep exists.

I stare at him.

What the hell is he doing here?

I open my mouth but nothing comes out, my throat feels like sandpaper.

I swallow and try again.

"What are you doing here?"

My voice comes out terribly hoarse.

Jeremiah raises an eyebrow.

"Well, someone had to carry you here after you passed out."

I frown.

"Passed out?"

I lift my hand towards my face, intending to wipe away whatever is making my skin feel uncomfortable when a sharp tug on my other arm stops me.

"Ouch."

I look down. There’s an IV connected to my arm, and beside the bed is a bag containing what looks like blood.

My eyes follow the tube for a moment.

Then everything comes rushing back, the treatment room, Rocco, Lysander lying on the table.

Oh, God.

"Lysander!"

I immediately attempt to get out of bed but a terrible wave of dizziness hits me, and the room tilts so violently that I nearly fall sideways.

"Whoa!"

Jeremiah jumps out of his chair and catches me by the shoulders.

"Jesus Christ, Nerissa! What the fuck are you doing?"

"Let go!"

"Are you trying to crack your skull open?"

I try to push him away, but my arms feel weak.

He adjusts his grip and helps me settle back against the pillows.

"You need to calm down. You’re still recovering."

"Fuck!"

I close my eyes briefly, waiting for the dizziness to settle.

Then I look at him again.

"How is Lysander?"

Jeremiah pauses, something shifting across his face.

"He..."

He clears his throat.

"He, uhmm..."

My stomach tightens.

"What?"

He looks away briefly before returning his attention to me.

"Didn’t make it, unfortunately."

My heart stops or at least, that’s what it feels like.

I stare at him and for a moment, I can’t even breathe.

He presses his lips together.

"Yeah. It’s unfortunate, really."

My heart begins pounding violently against my chest

No. No, no, no.

"WHAT?"

Jeremiah suddenly bursts into laughter.

"I’m joking! I’m joking!"

I stare at him, watching as he throws his head back, laughing harder.

"You should see your face!"

I don’t move.

I simply look at him, completely horrified.

"He’s alive?"

Jeremiah wipes the corner of his eye.

"Yes, Nerissa. He’s alive."

I let out a breath so shaky that it almost sounds like a sob.

Then I glare at him.

"Who the fuck jokes about his brothers death?."

"Me, apparently."

He grins.

"Watching your face was worth it, though."

I stare at him in disbelief.

This man, this absolute menace.

My husband nearly died, I nearly drained myself trying to save him, and this idiot thinks his brother’s death is an appropriate subject for a joke?

I swear, I don’t know how Isabella puts up with him.

Actually, I do.

She’s probably just as crazy.

"You’re an asshole," I mutter.

"Thank you."

"An insufferable one."

"Thank you again."

I roll my eyes, immediately regretting it when another dull ache spreads through my head.

Jeremiah notices and finally stops laughing.

He pulls the chair closer and sits down. His expression becoming serious.

"He survived, Nerissa. All thanks to you."

I remain quiet.

Jeremiah rests his elbows on his knees.

"Rocco managed to stabilise him. He’s still unconscious, and they’re monitoring him closely, but he’s alive."

I swallow.

"Can I see him?"

"Not yet. Rocco wants you to rest first."

"But..."

"Don’t start."

I close my mouth.

Jeremiah studies me for a moment.

"What you did was stupid, though."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You nearly died because you refused to tell Rocco you were feeling dizzy. Apparently, you thought you could donate half your blood and walk away like nothing happened."

"I was trying to save your brother."

"And you nearly made yourself a dead person."

He shakes his head.

"Don’t ever do that again. Do you understand?"

I look at him for a moment.

He genuinely looks upset.

I give him a small smile.

"If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you cared about me, Jeremiah."

He immediately straightens.

"Yeah, that’s my cue to leave."

I laugh weakly.

He gets to his feet and adjusts his shirt.

"Isabella should be here in a minute."

Then he scrunches his nose and takes a small step backwards.

"Maybe she can help you take a bath too. You stink."

My mouth falls open.

"Excuse me?"

He starts walking towards the door.

"You heard me."

"Jeremiah!"

He looks over his shoulder, wearing that irritating little smirk.

"Get some rest, Nerissa."

Then he walks out.

Classic Jeremiah style.