Defiant Heir (The Heirs #3) - Michelle Heard Page 0,9
at least.
I let out a relieved sigh. “Thank you.”
Dr. Menard, the plastic surgeon, will come to see me next Tuesday. I’m just hoping he’ll be able to remove the scarring.
“It looks much better,” Mom says, giving me a comforting smile.
Not wanting to talk about my injuries, I mutter, “I’m worried about Kao.”
Mom reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“I’m going to check on him.” I slip off the bed.
Mom glances at her watch. “I’ll head out then. I need to stop by the store, or your brother won’t have anything for dinner.”
“Forest’s visiting tomorrow, right?” I ask.
“Yes, Aria and Carla will probably come with him.”
The corner of my mouth lifts slightly because anything more will painfully pull at the cuts on my face.
I hug Mom before we leave the room. Walking down the hallway, I feel a little dizzy. The nurse said the sensation will come and go, but it will get better.
I push Kao’s door open, and then I hear the doctor say, “Both corneas were damaged during the accident. It’s probably from the force of the airbag deploying.”
My gaze darts around the room, and I see Mr. and Mrs. Reed standing on one side of the bed. Noah and his mom, Mrs. West, is on the other side, with the attending doctor at the foot.
I slink into the room and softly shut the door behind me.
“Do you have corneas in the hospital’s eye bank?” Mrs. West asks.
“I’ll have to check, but if we don’t, we can get a pair from another hospital,” the doctor replies.
“Let me know. I can check with other hospitals as well,” Mrs. West offers.
Kao lets out a bitter sounding chuckle, and everyone's eyes snap to him. His voice sounds deadly calm as he asks, “Can everyone leave?”
There’s a moment's silence, then Mr. Reed places his hand on Kao’s. “We’re discussing the treatment.”
Kao pulls his hand free, and there’s no emotion on his face as he snaps, “I want to be alone. Just for a minute.”
“It’s all overwhelming, I know,” the attending doctor sympathizes with him.
“Oh, do you?” Kao asks, his voice tight with anger. “I wasn’t aware you’re blind.”
He doesn’t get angry easily, so seeing him like this is unnerving.
“Let’s give him a moment,” Mrs. West says.
I stand to the side as they all file out of the room, then glance back at Kao. His eyes drift in my direction, and for a moment, it feels like he can actually see me.
My heart skips a hopeful beat, only to shatter once again when there’s no recognition in his gaze.
“Should I leave as well?” I ask softly.
Please say no.
Emotion ripples over his face, then he asks, “Has everyone left?”
“Yeah, It’s just me.” I walk a little closer. “And you.”
Kao lifts his right hand, reaching in my direction, and it makes me dart forward. I take hold of him and ask, “Want to talk about it?”
He shuts his eyes and shakes his head, letting out an exhausted sigh. “I just… it’s too fast, too much. I need to think.”
“My hermit,” I tease as I sit down on the side of the bed. “You’ve never liked a lot of people hovering around you.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. It’s only for a second before the hard lines are back. I lift a hand to his face, and when my fingers touch his jaw, he jerks.
I pause, and it makes him whisper, “Sorry.”
He lifts his left hand and places it over mine, pressing my palm to his jaw.
“Open your eyes,” I whisper.
Kao shakes his head, a pained look tightening his features.
“Please.”
His lashes slowly lift, and I get to see the clear blue I love so much.
“They say they can do a cornea transplant,” he murmurs.
“I heard. That’s good, right?”
It looks like he's caught in a daydream, his eyes not moving at all.
“Yeah,” he mutters, but there’s no conviction in the single word.
I swallow hard as a lump threatens to push up my throat. I wish I had the power to heal him.
“If I focus hard, I can see a million tiny lights… and streaks,” he admits, his voice hoarse with hopelessness. “It’s like I just closed my eyes.”
I lean closer. “You’ll see again. It’s not permanent.”
His right hand takes hold of my waist, and he pulls me against him. I wrap my arms around his neck, and we hug for a moment, then Kao turns his face toward me. “What’s on your neck and face?”
I pull back a little, instantly feeling