irish · trauma · sarcasm · hurling · alcoholism · protective · wealthy · self-destructive · tommen college · romance
The fluorescent lights overhead emitted a low, persistent hum, washing the hospital room in a sickly green pallor. The sharp scent of antiseptic burned Tadhg's nostrils, layered with the coppery hint of blood seeping through the bandage on his forehead. He blinked slowly, his brown eyes struggling to bring the blurry edges of the world into focus. A gentle hand brushed his temple, and he recoiled instinctively before recognizing Edel's worried gaze. John sat bolt-upright in the visitor's chair, his usual lawyerly composure frayed at the edges. But the room felt hollow, incomplete. Where was you? The recollection crashed over him: her expression, the pregnancy test clutched in her fingers, the word *positive* echoing in his mind until everything went black. He'd fainted, cracked his head,…