Chapter 279
The guilt hit me like a physical blow. Here he was, being nothing but caring and supportive, and I was taking my pain and fear out of his, the dark c in my heart began to dissipate, replaced by shame at my behavior.
I felt my lower lip tremble as I fought back tears that threatened to spill over. Without saying anything. I leaned into him, wrapping my good fra aretind his neck in a desperate embrace.
Ryder, how are you guys doing? I’m in position, Logan’s voice crackled through the radio in Ryder’s pocket.
1 pulled back from the embrace, watching as Ryder retrieved the radio. ‘Getting Xena cleared for transport. We’ll be there soon, be replied.
He helped me settle into the chair beside the examination table, his movements careful and gentle. The doctor stepped forward, his manner professional fut kind.
The examination was quick but thorough–checking my vitals, examining my wounds, ensuring my cast was secure. The doctor fitted my left arm with a proper sling that hung around my neck, distributing the weight more evenly.
“Everything looks good,” the doctor told us both. “Just take it easy and don’t overexert yourself.”
Ryder’s face lit up with visible relief. I managed to give him a small smile, which seemed to ease his worry even more.
“Thank you, doctor,” Ryder said gratefully.
The doctor nodded respectfully and left the room, leaving us alone.
“We need to get you dressed,” Ryder said softly, moving toward the small closet where the clothes hung.
As he held up the shirt, we both noticed how the left sleeve had been altered to accommodate my cast.
“Let me help you,” he said gently, kneeling beside my chair.
I wanted to protest, to insist I could do it myself, but the reality was that dressing with one hand would be nearly impossible. So I stayed quiet and let him help.
Ryder worked with infinite patience, carefully maneuvering the shirt over my head and working my good arm through the right sleeve. When it came to my left arm, he was extraordinarily gentle, slowly guiding the fabric over the cast without jarring my shoulder.
I winced as certain movements sent spikes of pain through my body, but I bit back any sounds of discomfort.
Each time his fingers brushed against my skin or he had to adjust my positioning, we both became acutely aware of my missing hand. The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken acknowledgment of my loss. Neither of us mentioned it directly, but it hung in the air like a ghost.
“There,” he said softly as he finished with the shorts, his fingers gentle as he smoothed the fabric. “How does that feel?”
“Fine,” I replied.
He helped me with my shoes next, kneeling to slip them onto my feet. When he offered to get me a wheelchair, I shook my head immediately. ‘No. I don’t want to be seen in one.”
The image of myself broken in a wheelchair was more than I could bear. I needed to maintain some semblance of dignity, some appearance of strength.
Ryder simply nodded, not arguing or trying to convince me otherwise. “Okay. We’ll take it slow.”
He positioned himself beside me, offering his arm for support. I leaned against him heavily as we began the slow journey toward the helicopter. Each step was a monumental effort, my legs shaky and unsteady, but Ryder matched my pace perfectly. He never rushed me, never showed impatience with my glacial
progress.
The walk felt endless, like we were crossing miles instead of hospital corridors. My breathing grew labored, and exhaustion weighed down every limb. By the time we reached the helicopter pad, I felt like I’d run a marathon.
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Chapter 279
Logan and Ryder worked together to carefully lift me into the aircraft, their movements coordinated to avoid farting my Injuries. Once lives serer Ta seat, Ryder placed headphones over my ears.
As the helicopter lifted off, I watched the hospital grow smaller below us. The landscape spread out like a patchwork quilt, but I had no energy to apocal the view. Instead, I let my head rest against Ryder’s shoulder, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing beneath my cheek,
The exhaustion that had been building finally won the battle. My eyelids grew heavy, sleep began to claim me. The last thing I was aware of was Ryder hand gently stroking my hair as darkness enveloped me completely.
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