Chapter 40: Remorse

Guilt. Those five words should be longer for the effect they have on the human heart. It was what Lydia felt throughout the next few days that followed. She remained at the hospital where Miles stayed after his emergency surgery to remove the bullet, which was successful.

Miles' wife and his seven-year-old son had arrived at the hospital the following day as they lived in another state. They came to be with him and did not leave his side. The doctors informed them he would regain consciousness any moment now, and they all looked forward to it. Phoebe was a friendly, kind and welcoming woman, and his son Andrew had been such an amazing company. They asked her to go home four days ago after they arrived, and she told them she wouldn't be able to go home until he regained consciousness. That was the punishment for her stubbornness. She had risked the safety and comfort of Phoebe and the future of Andrew by not thinking about her decision; this was the reminder.

Jayden had also visited, a