Learning to Let Go Read Online Free PDF Page A

through a side door on the south entrance of the hospital,” the police officer’s radio blared. “Stand your position; we’re in pursuit. We’re tracking him on foot; visual cameras are down for all corridors he’s currently on. Extra backup is heading your way.”
    The police officer came in to let me know they were trying to either capture Chase or, at the least, drive him from the hospital. He assured me he’d continue to stand guard while Security locked down the hospital. As he spoke, bells and sirens went off and the automatic doors closed all over the ICU, effectively locking us in. Grace had just returned with the coffee and Jonathan followed her in to check on all of us, just managing to step inside the door as it closed. It looked like we would be here for a while.
    I could imagine the desperate look on Chase’s face, disturbingly intent on getting to Laurel. The image we were able to pull off of the cameras at Waters Towers showed how smug he looked entering the building and how panicked he appeared when exiting.
    Grace had done an amazing job at identifying him. When I first saw the picture, I felt I knew him from somewhere, but I knew we’d never met. My mind flashed back to a memory of someone a little older than Chase was now, in dated clothing with a hairstyle from my early childhood. W hat the heck was that all about?
    Jonathan hugged Grace close to him while she cried, telling us her fear of Chase getting to us, especially to Laurel. I continued to hold Laurel’s hand, reassuring her that I’d never let her out of my sight again.
    “I’ll be your protector, your trusted friend, your lover, and anything you want me to be, if you just wake up, darling.” I’d never let my emotions be on display normally, but for Laurel, I’d admit anything just to have her back with us.
    I heard a soft moan, followed by a whimper, escape Laurel’s lips. Her hand clenched tightly, fisting around mine. She started jerking a little. I looked to Grace, who was already out the door, calling for the nurses. Was she aware of what was going on with security? Is that why she’s struggling?
    My father, Dr. Harris Waters, was immediately paged to ICU. While we waited for my dad to arrive, Grace and I talked softly to Laurel, providing words of encouragement for her to wake up.
    “Come on, girl,” Grace crooned, “wake up and let’s see the fight you have inside you. I know you don’t want to lie here anymore. Donny’s been driving me nuts calling you; he needs to hear your voice. We all do. Garrett is a wreck and hasn’t left your side. Now snap out of that haze of yours and come back to us.” Grace sure knew how to tell it like it is. I guess that’s why Jonathan seemed so taken by her.
    I leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “I’m sorry I failed you, sweetheart. I give you my word to do everything in my power to regain your trust and to keep you safe. My heart aches for you to wake up so that I can hold you in my arms again.” I could feel my emotions getting the better of me over the thought of never having Laurel in my life. Why am I so conflicted? I can’t accept the idea of dating, yet I don’t want to imagine a life without her? Am I doomed to have history repeat itself and everyone I care for or love will be taken away from me? Or was it time to take a chance at happiness? All I knew was that I needed her.
    Dad rushed in a moment later and took her vitals, murmuring to himself. He smiled at me and took his ophthalmoscope out to check her eyes for a response. As he lifted her eyelid and began to shine the light, her back shot up and she screamed.
    “Get away from me, you bastard! You’ll never have my heart! I hate you, Chase!” Laurel struggled against her restraints, apparently believing she was being held by Chase.
    My dad called for a shot of benzodiazepine, injecting it into her IV within what felt like seconds. The nurse tried to calm her and it was only a moment before she was asleep