Page 57 of Battle with a Billionaire

Kyle didn’t answer, his features pinching.

“Kyle?” Grant prodded.

He finally flicked his gaze to Grant, his eyes glassy. “I don’t know. She may not survive the surgery.”

Grant’s chest tightened at the words, and a wave of nausea passed over him. “What?”

“What do you mean she may not survive it?” Sierra asked, her words sharp as she struggled with her panic and grief.

“I mean…we nearly just lost her. If that happens on the table…”

“Well, why aren’t you going with her? You’re a surgeon! Do something!” Sierra shouted at him.

Kyle glanced at his half-sister, his features incredulous. “Sierra, I couldn’t even hold a scalpel right now, let alone help her.”

“So, now what? We just wait?” Sierra asked.

“Yeah. There’s…a waiting room,” Kyle said. “We just have to wait.”

He led them down a hall to a softly lit room filled with chairs. At this time of night, the room was empty. Kyle collapsed into one, his leg bobbing up and down as he clasped his hands in front of him.

Grant, still numb from shock, eased himself and Sierra into a pair of chairs. Images of Julia, lifeless and bloody, filled his mind. He couldn’t lose her. But there were no guarantees she’d make it.

Sierra buried her face in his chest as she sobbed. “Daddy, she can’t die.”

He kissed the top of her head as he rubbed her shoulder. He wanted to offer some words of support, but he couldn’t find any. He had the same fears. What would his life look like without Julia?

He stared blankly at the sterile walls, his mind racing with memories of Julia–her laughter, her strength, her unwavering support. The thought of a future without her was unfathomable. She had become more than just a contractual partner; she was an unexpected beacon of light in his life.

He chose to cling to the hope that he wouldn’t have to. Minutes ticked by far too slowly.

After an hour, Sierra shot a tear-stained gaze at Kyle. “Should it be taking this long?”

“It could,” he answered.

“Could or should?” she snapped.

“Easy, Sierra,” Grant whispered. He may not like the man, but in this moment, they shared a common grief, both of them fearing for a loss they may not be able to bear.

“Could,” he answered. “The fact that they’re still in there at least tells us she’s still alive.”

The words stung, and he found himself both hoping and dreading the doctor’s arrival.

Footsteps finally filled the hall outside the waiting room. Grant braced himself for the arrival of the doctor and the news he may bring. A figure filled the doorway.

Grant crinkled his brow as Sierra leapt from her seat and raced toward it, throwing herself against her mother as she sobbed.

Lydia had come to the hospital?

The woman glanced at him, then at Sierra who clung to her. “I thought you said there was an emergency? Your father is fine.”

Sierra leaned back, wiping at the tears that streamed down her cheeks. “It’s Julia. She was in an accident.”

Lydia wrinkled her nose at the statement as Sierra flung herself against her mother again.

Lydia took hold of her daughter’s shaking shoulders. “Sierra…Sierra…”

Grant shifted in his seat, surprised to see his first wife soothing his daughter. Maybe he’d been right to let her stay at the house.

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