The Twisted Obsession
Chapter 129: Awake

Chapter 129: Awake

Abby’s eyelids fluttered open, the harsh light of the hospital room piercing through the haze of her consciousness. Blinking away the blur, she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. The sterile smell of antiseptic assaulted her senses, mingling with the faint scent of flowers that someone had brought in, a stark contrast to the clinical environment.

Confusion washed over her as fragmented memories began to surface. She remembered the despair that had engulfed her, the overwhelming darkness that had driven her to that fateful decision. Slitting her wrist had seemed like the only way to escape the suffocating pain, the relentless torment that had consumed her mind.

But now, as she lay in the hospital bed, her gaze fell upon the figure beside her. Remo. His presence was a jolt to her senses, a lifeline amidst the chaos of her thoughts. She watched him sleep, his features softened in repose, his breaths steady and rhythmic.

Tears pricked at Abby’s eyes as she reached out tentatively, her fingers trembling as they brushed against his arm. The warmth of his skin seeped into her, grounding her in the present moment. How long had he been there, keeping vigil by her side?

Emotions surged within her, a tumultuous mix of relief and guilt. Relief that she was still alive, that she had been given a second chance at life. Guilt for the pain she had caused, for the worry she had undoubtedly inflicted upon those who cared for her.

As Abby struggled to sit up, her movements clumsy and awkward.

Remo’s eyes shot open as he felt a gentle tug on his arm. For days, he had been sitting vigil by Abby’s bedside, his heart heavy with worry and fear. Every beep of the machines had felt like a countdown, every second ticking by an eternity of uncertainty.

But now, as he looked into Abby’s tear-filled eyes, he felt a flood of emotions wash over him. Relief surged through his veins, chasing away the shadows of doubt that had clouded his mind. She was awake. She was alive.

"Abby," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. He reached out, cupping her face in his hands as if to reassure himself that she was real, that this moment was not just another cruel figment of his imagination.

Tears welled up in his own eyes as he gazed at her, taking in every curve of her face, every strand of her hair. She was here, in his arms, and nothing else mattered. Not the sleepless nights spent agonizing over her fate, not the whispered prayers uttered in the darkness of the hospital room.

"You’re awake," he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I had lost you."

Abby’s hand found his, squeezing it tightly as if to anchor herself to reality. The weight of her gaze bore into him, raw and unfiltered, stripping away the walls he had built around his heart.

"I’m here," she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. "And I’m not going anywhere."

Abby’s heart ached as she saw the turmoil etched on Remo’s face, his eyes betraying the storm of emotions raging within him. She reached out, her touch a gentle caress against his cheek, urging him to meet her gaze.

"Remo, I’m okay," she whispered, her voice strained yet filled with tenderness. "I need to know that you’re okay too."

Remo’s lips quivered as he struggled to find the words, his brows furrowing in frustration at his own inability to articulate his feelings. He glanced away, as if unable to bear the weight of her concern, but Abby refused to let him retreat into his own thoughts.

"Please, look at me," she implored, her hand guiding his chin until their eyes met once more. "You look awful—are you alright?."

Tears welled up in Remo’s eyes anew, his defenses crumbling under the weight of Abby’s unwavering love and concern. He leaned into her touch, seeking solace in the warmth of her hand against his skin.

"I...I’ve been a wreck," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Seeing you like this...it broke me."

Abby’s chest tightened with the weight of her remorse as she looked into Remo’s eyes, seeing the pain she had caused reflected in his gaze. Tears welled up in her own eyes as she struggled to find the words to express the depth of her regret.

"Remo, I... I’m so sorry," she whispered, her voice barely above a hoarse whisper. "I was selfish, I know that now. I didn’t think about how my actions would affect you, or anyone else. I just... I couldn’t bear the pain anymore. Losing my father, it was like the world had shattered around me, and I thought that ending my own pain was the only way out."

Her voice faltered as she choked back a sob, her heart heavy with the realization of the hurt she had inflicted upon those she loved most. Remo reached out, his hand finding hers, a silent gesture of forgiveness and understanding.

"Abby, it’s okay," he murmured, his voice filled with compassion. "I know you were hurting. I can’t even begin to imagine what you’ve been going through. But please, don’t ever think that you’re alone in this. I’m here for you, always."

Abby’s heart constricted at his words, aching for the pain he had endured in her absence. She pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around him in a gesture of comfort and reassurance.

Remo buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he clung to her with desperation

Abby tears flowing freely now as she leaned into Remo’s embrace, seeking solace in the warmth of his presence. She knew that she didn’t deserve his forgiveness, but she was grateful for it nonetheless

As Remo leaned in to kiss her, Abby’s initial instinct was to pull away, embarrassed by the state of her mouth after being in a coma.

"Actually - kissing me right now would probably taste like kissing a dumpster. Maybe get me some mouthwash first," Abby teased, trying to deflect her embarrassment.

"I don’t care," Remo dismissed, not giving her a chance to argue before his lips met hers in a tender, passionate kiss.

Despite the chapped and dry state of their lips, the kiss was still filled with an overwhelming sense of bliss. As their lips moved together, Abby felt a rush of emotions flood her senses. He kissed her as if it were both the first and last time, pouring all of his emotions and longing into the embrace. And when he finally pulled away, his eyes locked with hers, Abby felt as though she were drowning in the intensity of his gaze.