"Thanks, Sara," I returned genuinely. "Where's Evan?"
"Cooking something," Sara explained. Moving closer, she raised her hand to my cheek, careful not to touch it. "That's going to take some great makeup skills. Good thing you have me."
"Good thing," I agreed with a wry smile, wincing when I pulled myself up to sit, moving the pillow behind me. Sara's eyes tightened.
"Oh, I have these for you," she said, handing me two ice packs. "Evan has strict orders."
I took the packs to set on my bruises. Sara opened her mouth to say something, then stopped. Her brows pulled together, listening intently. She walked to the door and opened it. I watched her curiously, and then I heard it too. It sounded like someone was calling my name.
Sara moved out the door quickly and I scooted off the bed to follow. I couldn't make out who was saying it, but they kept calling for me.
"I know she's here," the muffled voice declared. "Emma!"
Sara was standing in the open doorway of the kitchen when I rounded the corner.
"Sara, don't let her out here, okay," Evan instructed from the porch.
"What's going on?" I asked, my pulse picking up when I caught sight of the hardened look on Evan's face.
Sara closed the door, and I could hear Evan continue sternly, "She's fine. You don't need to be here."
I looked out the window in the sitting room and found Jonathan standing in the driveway. My heart faltered. He was clenching his fists and his face was reddening.
"Just let me see her, Evan," he demanded, becoming more agitated and taking a step toward Evan. "At least tell her I'm here."
"Why is he here?" Sara asked from behind me.
"He just wants to know that I'm okay," I told her, heat rising to my cheeks. With Evan stonewalling him, I knew he was on the brink of losing his patience, and I couldn't let it escalate. I moved past her toward the kitchen.
"Where are you going?" Sara demanded urgently.
"He just wants to know that I'm okay," I repeated with my heart beating harder against my chest.
I opened the door and Evan glanced at me quickly without realizing it was me. He turned back, stunned, when he did. "Emma, don't."
"It's okay," I assured him with forced calmness. "He just wants to make sure I'm okay."
Evan tensed when I walked past him, but he didn't stop me.
Jonathan's face softened when I approached, the confrontational glare instantly replaced by a subtle smile, but the anxious look in his eye remained.
"Hey," he greeted quietly when I neared him. I stopped in front of him with my arms crossed protectively over my ribs.
"Hey," I returned timidly. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry," he began. "I've been trying to call you. I was going out of my mind worried about you. You left so fast after..." He paused, and my heart faltered at the remembrance. "I didn't know how badly you were hurt. I needed to see you."
"Oh," I responded, my cheeks reddening. "Um, I don't even know where my phone is. I should've called. I'm sorry I didn't." I could feel Evan watching us, and knew Sara was probably next to him as well. I didn't dare look.
"How are you?" he asked, but it was a loaded question, and I didn't answer until he clarified. "How badly are you hurt?"
"I'll be okay," I returned softly.
"I scared you, didn't I?" he said, his voice faltering. I looked up into his eyes, having avoided them since I stepped out of the house. I was struck by the sorrow that coated them. "I promised never to do that. I'm so sorry, Emma."
I swallowed hard, and nodded, unable to speak.
"I care about you," he explained. "I couldn't―" He glanced toward Evan without finishing―recognizing we weren't alone. "What does he know?"
"Um," I faltered. "I didn't say anything, really. Just explained how everything was a mess with Rachel. And I didn't tell the police you were there either. I told them I walked in on the guy and couldn't remember what he looked like."
"Okay," Jonathan accepted with a nod. "So he doesn't know about the nightmares, or your fears, or..."
I shook my head, darting my eyes along the ground guiltily. I gripped my hands as the tension crashed in on us. I couldn't breathe. Jonathan reached to touch my arm and I backed away with a shake of my head.
"I know," he returned with a defeated breath. "It's not right to put you in this situation."
I lifted my eyes to his. The remorse in his glistening gaze caused my heart to falter.
"Emma, please don't give up on me." His words spilled out in a desperate rush, leaving me speechless.