Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 63410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Carter pulls back, and his eyes search over my face. It gives me a glimmer of hope, so I say, “I wouldn’t do such a thing, Carter. I’ve been feeling sick lately. Maybe I was drugged?”
A dark look settles hard on his face, and usually, I’d steer clear of him when that happens, but right now, it fills me with relief.
“I’ll ask them to check for drugs,” he says, and it fills me with relief.
“Thank you.” I throw my arms around him again, hugging him as tight as I can before he leaves the room to go talk with a nurse.
“I shouldn’t have left you alone,” Della says as she reaches for my hand again.
“You can’t watch over me for the rest of your life,” I try to offer her some comfort, not wanting her to feel guilty. “You have children, Della. They come first.”
“I know,” she agrees, but the tears in her eyes tell me my words doesn’t ease her guilt at all.
Carter comes back with a nurse, and I’ve never been so glad to let someone draw my blood.
The results will show it wasn’t me.
I just needed a little more time.
Damnit!
Jamie
The doctor just left, and all I can do is stare at the bandage around my arm.
No one believes me.
The doctor looked at me as if I was wasting his time and said a Psychiatrist will come to see me.
“We’re just going to check on Danny and Christopher. Miss Sebastian should be here any second,” Della says, the worry not easing from her face for a moment.
“I’ll be fine. I don’t need anyone to babysit me,” I whisper, feeling exhausted and desperate for answers.
“Jamie!” Miss Sebastian cries as she pushes the door open. She barrels at me and engulfs me in a tight hug. “Oh, my God. I’m so sorry. I should’ve checked on you more. I’m sorry.”
Overwhelmed from all that’s happened, tears escape my eyes, and I bury my face in Miss Sebastian’s neck. “It’s not your fault,” I croak past the lump in my throat.
She pulls back and frames my face. Her eyes look so sad, it’s killing me on the inside.
Miss Sebastian, who is the light in our lives and always makes us laugh – even she doesn’t believe me.
“I didn’t do it,” I plead with her. “I wouldn’t hurt myself. You have to believe me.”
She caresses the side of my head and says, “I believe you.”
Her eyes still look bruised, and it makes me shake my head. “You don’t. I can see it on your face.”
She lifts her chin, and when a tear streaks over her cheek, I reach up to wipe it away. “Let’s wait for the results of the toxicology screen.”
I pull away from her and cover my face as another wave of hopelessness hits.
I should be praying the results are negative, that there’s not some creep out there trying to hurt me. Instead, I find myself hoping with all my might it’s positive so that my family and friends will believe me.
Chapter 12
She’s mine!
She’s mine to keep forever.
Julian
I run into the hospital, still not believing what Falcon told me.
Jamie wouldn’t try to commit suicide. She’s a fighter.
Hell, I should know, having gone up against her.
When I reach the room she’s in, I pause to take a deep breath. Straightening my jacket, I take another breath, then knock on the door.
“Come in,” someone calls from the other side.
I push the door open and stepping inside, I see Miss Sebastian sitting next to the bed, her face pale from the shock she’s been dealt.
My eyes dart to Jamie, who’s sitting with her head bowed, her shoulders hanging. I glance down at the bandage, and it’s a screaming reality that what I’ve been told is true. The realization makes a shockwave ripple through me.
“I’ll give you a moment alone,” Miss Sebastian says. Walking to the door, she adds, “I’m right outside.”
I wait for the door to close behind her before I walk closer to the bed.
What do I say?
Do I hug her?
Fuck.
“How do you feel?” I go with the most basic question.
Jamie doesn’t look up and just shakes her head.
I sit down on the chair next to her bed and hesitate for a second before I reach for her hand. I give it a squeeze, and ask, “Is there anything I can do?”
She lets out a bitter sounding chuckle, and then she lifts her head, pinning me with red-rimmed eyes.
“Everyone keeps asking me that question.” A cynical smile plays around her mouth.
I hate seeing her like this. We might not have been on the best of terms, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care.
“They keep asking, and when I say all I need is for them to believe me, they won’t.” She shakes her head, sluggishly.
“Believe what?” I ask.
She brings her eyes back to mine and stares at me for a while. “I didn’t do it. I’m hoping the toxicology test shows I’ve been drugged and that I’m not unstable like everyone is thinking.”