What…the…fuck? Oh my God, he was talking about Charlie. I tried so hard to open my eyes, reach out and grab this guy, but it was useless. Being a prisoner in my own body meant I couldn’t protect myself, let alone Charlie.
Then he pulled away and I heard his faint footsteps as he left my room. What’s going on? Charlie had told me about the break-in. I’d bet my life this was the guy who broke into our place. Since he whispered it was difficult to get a read on his voice, but I knew I’d remember the scent of his cologne. It was very distinctive.
If I could come out of my coma just from sheer will, I would. I’d chase the guy down and stop him from breathing the same air as Charlie. But, there was nothing I could do except wait. Wait for this nightmare to end and get my life back. Please, God, give me my life back.
Chapter Forty-One
Charlie
End of March
Two weeks had gone by before I got up the nerve to actually tell Mitch I was pregnant. I had no intentions of telling Garrett. I couldn’t deal with him and was grateful he was gone. I’d gone to visit Mitch every day, but as I sat there holding his hand, the words got caught in my throat and I couldn’t turn them loose. Today I was determined to tell him even though I had no idea if he could hear me or not. Kate and Natalie had assured me it’d be good to get it off my chest. They had both been so supportive and believed no matter what happened, Mitch and I would work out. Holding onto their positive thoughts was all I could do right now.
Squirting lotion into my hands, I picked up Mitch’s right hand and began lathering him with the thick mixture. His hands were so dry and I made sure to work the lotion in until they became soft again.
“I miss you so much, baby. I just want you to open your eyes. Will you do that for me?”
I said this to him every day as if he’d answer my request, but nothing happened.
“Work’s been crazy. We have a new product coming out, so everyone has been putting in long hours.” I wanted to hit myself in the head. Work? Who cares? Having a one-way conversation was so difficult. I was used to Mitch’s quick wit that always made me laugh.
Looking at him lying there with his dark hair and strong jaw, he was so handsome. I hated that what I was about to say had the potential of breaking his heart—if he could hear me. I’d read about coma patients and many of them were completely aware of what was going on around them. I imagined this was the case with Mitch.
“Mitch, I have something to tell you. Something that is very difficult for me to say. Something I wish I wasn’t gonna say.”
I paused to gather my courage. I really needed a drink before getting this out, but that wasn’t going to happen.
“I’m just gonna come out with it. I’m pregnant.”
I had fantasized about saying that to Mitch, but not under these circumstances. In my mind there’d be celebrating, tears, laughter, cigars. But not in this scenario. At least I had finally told him.
“I can only assume that you and Garrett were fighting over what happened between him and me. It breaks my heart that I did what I did, but I can’t take it back and there’s a possibility this baby is his. I’m so sorry, Mitch. I hate this more than anything. All we wanted to do was move up our wedding date and get married at my parents’ house. Everything’s so messed up. I just hope when you wake up you can forgive me, Mitch. I love you so much. I never meant for any of this to happen to us.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Mitch
Charlie’s voice trembled as she spoke to me. I could hear her pain, and if it’d been anything else, I would’ve said of course I can forgive you. But this, this was huge. I might have to look into the face of what they did…a child. I was supposed to be the father of her children, not Garrett.
No. No. No. No. Stop talking. I don’t want to hear this. Screaming this out in my head did no good since Charlie continued on.
“I know I didn’t use a condom with Garrett, and that’s why I’m thinking he’s the father. I’m so sorry,” she said again.
“Sorry? Sorry?” I whispered as my eyes barely opened. Focusing on her was difficult, but I was awake. No longer drifting in nothingness.
“Oh my God. Mitch, you’re awake.”
“Awake,” I said, astonished, my voice coming through a little stronger.
Charlie attempted to hug me, lying her body over my torso. I didn’t hug her back. I felt weak, and I really couldn’t move my body much. Fucking muscle atrophy.
“Pregnant? Garrett’s baby?” Why was it so hard to talk?
Tears streamed down her face. “Yes,” she gasped out. “Mitch, I’m so sorry.”
“You said that.” My tone was biting. My breathing had accelerated and words were beginning to flood my mind. “This is worse than a coma. I could pretend you didn’t sleep together. Now it’s all just a fucked-up reality. How could you do this to us, Charlie?”
Charlie’s sobs only made me angrier. She had no right to cry. All of this was her fault. I was so angry I could tear this room apart…that is, if I could move. My body wasn’t exactly complying with my mind.
“I don’t know how everything’s gone so wrong, but you’re right, it is all my fault. I let Garrett take care of me when you didn’t remember us. He comforted me and I needed him. I had no idea he wanted me. But you broke up with me and then I saw you and Heather at the Italian restaurant. I think I drank two bottles of wine all by myself.”
She grabbed a tissue and wiped her nose.
Her excuse was she needed comfort? Kate…Natalie…they couldn’t comfort her? She had to sleep with my brother? I wanted to say all of this, but it was too exhausting. The words wouldn’t come out.
“I know it’s no excuse, but I was drunk and I thought Garrett was you. I woke up in the middle of the night and…I really thought it was you and I had been having a terrible dream.”
I exhaled loudly. Through gritted teeth, I managed, “Leave.”
“Please let me stay. We need to talk, Mitch. I know we can get through this.”
I managed to shake my head. As if on cue, a nurse came in to check my vitals. Once she realized I was awake, my room was swarming with medical professionals.
“I love you, Mitch,” Charlie said as she reached the door. I heard her, but didn’t acknowledge. I couldn’t look at her.
Chapter Forty-Three
Charlie
My dad was waiting for me in the hospital lobby. He stood up when he saw me approaching.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong? Did something happen to Mitch?”
“Yes, I happened.”
“I’m confused. What do you mean?” my dad asked with a puzzled look.
“Mitch woke up while I was telling him about the baby. Needless to say, he’s beyond angry. He practically threw me out of his hospital room.”
My dad pulled me into his arms, my body shaking from my sobbing. At least my parents’ reaction to my news had been met with tenderness. I’d only mustered the courage to tell them I was pregnant about a week ago.
“It’s going to be okay, Charlie. Mitch will come to his senses once he’s had some time. You just have to be strong and give him the time he needs right now. It’s going to be hard, but you can do it.”
“But what if he doesn’t? What if he never forgives me, Dad?”
“We’ll have to cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, don’t borrow trouble. Let’s get you home so you can rest. You have a big day tomorrow.”
“What do you mean?”
“I got a call from the ADA that another trial lacked sufficient evidence, so it was dropped. They moved Eric’s trial up to tomorrow. Both sides agreed they were ready.”
“Really,” I sighed, almost too tired to even care. I had to face Eric sometime. It might as well be tomorrow. Could this day get any worse? Time was slipping away from me, going faster than I ever thought possible.
“I’m sorry to give you more to handle.”
“It’s okay.”
My dad drove us home and
I stared out the window aimlessly. Tears were still spilling out of my eyes and I couldn’t seem to stop them.
When we got home, I lay down in my room and texted Kate and Natalie. I didn’t have it in me to talk to them. Of course, they were both thrilled Mitch had come out of his coma, but they empathized with me about our circumstances. I told them both I needed to just get through the trial and then I could focus on getting Mitch to listen to me. They agreed. I figured Kate would have her say with Mitch when the time was right. She’d always had a way of talking with him that was so helpful, just like when he was with Heather.
I barely slept, feeling nervous about the trial starting in the morning. Entering the courthouse, I was shaking like a leaf in a storm. I had to get a hold of myself and calm down before going on the stand. Showing up with an entourage in tow, I gave a tight smile to the ADA, Jason Matthews, who seemed to be making mental notes of who was in my party. It was only four people for goodness’ sake, but he didn’t look happy. At least he was already familiar with my parents.
“Charlie, a surprise witness was added to the docket this morning. She’s a former girlfriend, testifying for the defense.”
“Are you serious?” Kate asked.
“I’m afraid so,” Jason replied.
“What are you expecting her to say?” my dad wanted to know.
“I’m assuming she’ll say he was a good boyfriend and didn’t have any anger issues when she was with him.”
I nodded slightly. What could I say? I had no idea if he’d been a good boyfriend to anyone else. I only knew how he’d treated me.
I sighed. “Thanks for the heads up. Whatever happens here, I’m grateful Mitch wasn’t on the meds long enough for them to cause any damage.”
“You have a good attitude. I don’t want your hopes to be too high because I’m pretty sure she’s here to blow holes in our theory that he was motivated to get to you.”
A woman came up, handing Jason a file folder, and he excused himself, saying he’d see us inside the courtroom in a few minutes.
I sat with my family and friends as I watched Eric being brought into the courtroom. He didn’t get out on bail when he was arrested for tampering with Mitch’s drugs. He’d been in jail for the last few weeks.
Somehow, Eric had managed to hire one of the best defense attorneys in San Diego. Neil had told Kate that I should be prepared for anything. Looks like the surprise witness was going to be that anything. After I testified to the evening I saw him while getting Mexican food and painting the portrait of an abusive boyfriend whom I was afraid of, she took the stand. Victoria Tate.
She was a beautiful blonde whom I’d never seen before. If I had, I would’ve certainly remembered.
“Miss Tate, how do you know the defendant, Eric Machado?”
“He’s been my boyfriend on and off for the last three years.”
“Are you currently dating now?”
“Yes, we recently started seeing each other again.”
Miss Tate, as she was called, went on to describe the perfect boyfriend who always put her first, treated her well, and had never mentioned any ill feelings toward past girlfriends. She went on to say he simply made a mistake when filling the prescription. She’d kept him up late the night before and he was tired. The whole thing made me want to puke. For all I knew, he’d paid her to testify for him and everything she said was a lie. I couldn’t wait for the lunch recess so I could get away from Eric and his attempt to manipulate the court.
“I can’t believe the testimony from that woman,” Kate said as she was about to take a bite of her sandwich.
“Surely the jury isn’t gonna believe her over you,” Natalie said, squeezing my hand.
Thank God my best friends were here for me. My parents were still paying for their lunch, so we had a minute to ourselves.
“Who knows what’s gonna happen. Eric is like a cat. He always lands on his feet.”
“Regardless of what his girlfriend had to say, he’s the one who filled the prescription and I think he’ll be found guilty.” Kate was right. No one else could be charged because Eric’s name was on the prescription. It was all on him.
My parents joined us and they got Kate and Natalie talking about being married. It was a good distraction from me being consumed with my own problems.
When we returned to the courtroom, the prosecution began calling Eric’s co-workers up to the stand. One by one, they each gave a glowing report about his impeccable work ethic and that he was diligent in his job. He’d never made a mistake like this before and had even caught mistakes made by others. At first I thought their testimony was helping to make him look good, but then I realized it was giving credence to how competent he was and it was highly unlikely for him to make such a mistake.
Eric glanced back at me several times, but I didn’t make eye contact. From my peripheral vision, I saw him whispering to his attorney. It made me wonder what would happen next because if there was one thing I knew about Eric, he was cunning.
When Jason finished with his last witness, Eric was called to the stand to testify. His attorney didn’t look happy, but he began questioning him just the same.
“Mr. Machado, did you have malicious intent when you filled the prescription for Mitch Hawkins?”
Eric looked me in the eyes before he began answering. I couldn’t help looking back at him, surprised at what I was seeing. Remorse. I had no idea if he was being genuine or not, but he seemed sorrowful somehow.
“At first, no,” he said, looking down for a moment. “But then I spoke privately with Mrs. Hawkins, Mitch’s mother.”
“What was communicated during that conversation?”
“Mrs. Hawkins made it clear she didn’t want Mitch to remember his old life with Charlie, that he belonged with his girlfriend from high school. At that moment, all I could think about was how I belonged with Charlie, so I said I could switch the medication, which could cause delays in recovery.”
“Then what medication did you dispense to Mr. Hawkins?”
“Mitch Hawkins had retrograde amnesia, and there is no medication prescribed that can bring back memory. However, what I gave him, Tramadol, a narcotic-like pain reliever, can have side effects of headaches and nausea, the result of which can cause a patient to have difficulty concentrating. I mixed in Anavar, Clomid, and Cytomel to give him roid rage, hoping to delay his recovery even further. His doctor had prescribed Co-codamol, which is a compound analgesic consisting of codeine phosphate and paracetamol—basically, a low-grade, pharmacy issued painkiller. Mrs. Hawkins was very pleased and agreed it’d be for the best.” There was a quiet mumbling around us at that revelation. I couldn’t look back at her. I simply couldn’t.
“So, in your estimation, the drugs you gave Mr. Hawkins would induce side effects like headaches and nausea, slowing his recovery and potentially thwarting the regaining of his memory?”
“Yes.”
I sat there dumbfounded that Eric was probably telling the truth, but even more astounded Lillian had struck a deal with him. I couldn’t decide who was the devil, him or her. I knew she hated me, but I never in a million years thought she would’ve risked Mitch’s health to get me out of his life. I couldn’t listen to any more, so I got up and quickly made my way out of the courtroom.
I caught a glimpse of Lillian sitting in the last row, her hand covering her mouth. I glared at her. She made eye contact with me for a brief second and if I could’ve breathed fire on her, I would’ve. The guilty expression on her face said it all. Eric was telling the truth. But if there was anyone more cunning than Eric, it was Lillian. Somehow I knew in my heart she’d find a way out of paying for this crime. Edward sat next to her, shaking his head, disbelief spreading across his face.
Sitting on a nearby bench, I rested my head in my hands and began crying. All of this deception to keep me away from her son. What kind of a monster is she? The courtroom doors opened and Lillian walked past me in a hurry. No doubt, attempting to escape being arres
ted. So many things raced through my mind that I wanted to say to her, but in the end, I decided she wasn’t worth the energy it would take right now to say them. I just watched her walk away down the hall until she was gone.
My dad joined me on the bench and wrapped his arms around me. I cried all over his shoulder. He didn’t say anything; he just comforted me like he’d been doing every time I fell in my life. He’d help me back up and give me the strength to continue on, no matter what the circumstances. He’d been my rock and my hero as far back as I could remember.
“Sweetheart, it’s all going to be okay,” he said in a soothing voice.
I looked up at my dad. “How? How’s it going to be okay?” I didn’t believe it and I needed an explanation.
My dad didn’t say anything. He just stared at me with great concern in his eyes. “This may sound hollow to you, but I have faith God is going to work all of this out.”
“I just have to have faith. Things worked out for Kate and Natalie. I’m going to do my best to be positive. It’s just so difficult right now,” I said, slightly shaking my head.
“I know it is, sweetheart. But you don’t need a mountain of faith, just a small mustard seed.”
I thought about all the times my dad had walked me into Sunday school. He raised me to believe in God. Now, I was being tested and I had to rely on my faith to carry me through this trial…not just the one going on a few feet away, but the one where the man I loved may never want to see me again.
Mitch being so angry with me, never looking into my eyes again, never laughing with me, never holding me, was way worse than anything Eric or Lillian could cook up. The thought of not spending my life with him made me cry even harder against my dad’s chest. He squeezed me tighter and rested his chin on my head.
“Mitch is going to find his way back to you, Charlie. I believe he’ll forgive you. Trust me.”
Forgotten By You (Redeeming Love #2) Page 16
