Chapter 33. Choices

“The patient is awake now. You can go and see him if you want to,” a nurse said to a worried Noelle. She nodded, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jacket. Sighing, she pushed open the door to the ward and walked in. Val’s dull eyes met hers and tears filled her eyes. What would have happened if she hadn’t come to the bathroom when she had?

He looked so weak and drained, her heart broke for him.

“I’m sorry,” he croaked.

“I-I didn’t know you were suicidal,” she said, trying to hold back the tears.

He lowered his gaze, his fingers fumbling with the bed sheets.

“How many times have you thought about it?” Noelle asked.

“A couple of times,” he replied.

“How many times have you attempted it?” She asked.

He swallowed hard, staring at her with a blank look in his eyes. “Three times.”

“H-how? W-Why?”

“When I was thirteen, I was beaten and starved for a month. I wanted to die. I swallowed pills that I wasn’t supposed to take,