Page 22 of Forbidden Love

“Don’t ever let me hear you say that again. I can’t imagine what you’re going through with this loss, but I will help you. Nancy will help you. Everyone that matters will help you. Will you tell the police what happened? From the beginning?”

Silence surrounds us, apart from the beeping machines. I hear the door open behind us, and without even looking, I know it’s Damien and the doctor. Damien stops at the bottom of the bed and the doctor takes up the place he was five minutes before.

“I’m so sorry about your loss, sweetheart.” Damien reaches forward and rubs her leg through the blanket. “You need something from home?”

I sit up and rest on my elbow, careful not to move the bed too much. “Clive. I need to get Clive here.”

“What? Why?”

“I will give you half an hour, and then I need to call the police,” said the doctor.

“Everyone stop. I can get Clive here. Police? What?”

Damien looks astounded. I don’t blame him because this will affect us all.

“Colton raped Kally this afternoon. That’s what caused her to go into premature labor. The doctor got her to open up after he asked if she had an accident that would cause this. We need to get her mom and dad out of here. Kally will tell the police everything, but she needs to know her parents are safe.”

“I have half an hour. Okay. Clark, let Kally’s family come to see her. I’ll fill them in on everything. Get them out of here before you return in ten minutes. Text Clive and get him here. He should be arriving at the same time as the police.”

“Where are you taking my parents?” Kally asks.

“It’s best you don’t know for the time being. I’ll get them to safety and come back to be back-up for you guys. Whatever happens between now and me coming back, just remember that people need you, Clark. Our family will push and prod to make you snap to get you out of the way. Keep your head down and out of trouble.”

“I know.” I nod.

I know I’ve just started World War Three, but to get Kally away from my brother, happy and safe, will be worth it. Okay, she might not be happy for a long time, but I’ll do everything in my power to make her happy again.

“I’ll be back in ten minutes.” I kiss Kally’s forehead and climb off the bed carefully. “Thanks, bro.”

I walk out of the room with rage and anger simmering on the surface. I need to act normal and not give anything away. I can do this for Kally.

I push open the relatives’ room door and say, “Joselyn and Joe, you can see Kally for five minutes before they give her the meds to help her sleep.”

They both jump to their feet, and I point them towards Kally’s room. I know Kally’s relationship has been distant with her family since her fake marriage to Colton, but under the circumstances, I can’t keep her mom and dad away. I know Kally’s hurting, and in time, I hope her relationships with family and friends will be recreated.

Rather than go back into that room, I sit on a chair outside in the corridor. I can’t sit in the same room as Colton without knocking the crap out of him, and that won’t help anyone. I need to keep my shit together.

“How did she take it, honey?” Nancy sits down beside me and leans her head on my shoulder.

“She knew. We didn’t have to tell her. Listen.” I sit up and look at the closed door. “I don’t have much time, but things have changed. I’ll tell you all about it later, but you and Jared need to get out of here. It isn’t safe. Can you set up a room for Kally at my place? She’s going to need it when we get her out of here.”

“Of course. I’ll do anything for you both, but you’re scaring me, Clark.”

“Walls have ears, but everything will work out. I just need to keep you all safe until that bastard is behind bars.”

“Okay. Promise me you’ll stay safe.”

I nod. “Stay here.” I stand up and walk back into the relatives’ room. “Jared.” He looks up at me curiously. “Can you take Nancy home? She’s exhausted and she won’t get to see Kally tonight. No point in us all hanging around.”

“No problem. Call if you need anything.” He pats my shoulder and leaves me leaning against the door frame.

I glare at my brother, who is still sitting beside my father. My father’s look is telling me to keep my thoughts to myself, but I can’t. The normal me would come out here and give him a piece of my mind.

“Not even going to ask how your wife is after the news was broken about your daughter?”

Colton glares at me, but I’ve seen worse. “She’s my wife. Don’t ever forget that.”

“How does it feel to sleep with a woman who doesn’t see your face, huh?”

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