"Hey you," she said softly. "When did you get here?"
"Hours ago."
Then the nurses began unwrapping the bandage.
The sterile white gauze peeled away slowly, revealing the angry bruising beneath. The skin was swollen and discolored.
As Veronica glanced back toward Luca, her gaze caught on the bruise on his knuckles.
She wondered what he had done to Bianca. She knew Luca's temper. But Bianca was still his wife.
He wouldn't hit her.
Surely.
Or kill her, right?
When the cleaning began, the sharp sting of antiseptic hit the open wound and Veronica sucked in a painful breath. Her fingers tightened around the pillow beside her.
Luca was on his feet instantly. "Shouldn't she be on painkillers?"
"She is," the nurse said calmly. "But that doesn't mean she won't feel a thing."
Veronica noticed the way his jaw clenched, the way his hands flexed slightly at his sides. "It's okay Luca," she murmured through a strained breath. "I'm fine."
