Page 46 of Forbidden Mistress

Hey. My stepmom is in the hospital and I’m headed there now. I’ll call you later when I know what’s going on.

After I hit send, I stare down at my phone, waiting for his immediate reply. I hold my breath, realizing suddenly that I need his reassurance, that I need to know he’s in this with me—at least peripherally. Lori has been a fixture in my life since I was ten years old. And since I have zero relationship with my biological mother, I’ve leaned on my stepmom for just about everything. She is my mom, really.

And if anything happens to her…no, I shake away the thought, eyes prickling with tears. I can’t go there—especially since I don’t have any real details yet.

Hart hasn’t responded by the time I arrive at the hospital. Andrew comes around to open the car door for me. As I step out, I place my hand on his. “Thank you, Andrew. I really appreciate your getting me here so quickly.”

“Any time. I’ll stick around, so I can take you back to Exeter House or home when you’re ready.”

“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that,” I say apologetically. “I have no idea how much time it will take. It could be a long wait. I’ll just take an Uber or something.”

With a stiff nod, he says, “You have my number. If I’m not out on another call, I’ll come get you in a heartbeat.”

I flash him a tight smile. “Will do. Thanks again, Andrew.”

I rush into the lobby of the hospital, check in at the reception desk and that’s when I’m informed that she’s in ICU. My stomach drops and the receptionist directs me to the separate ICU reception on the third floor. I rush to the elevator, then down a maze of hallways, until I check in at ICU, inform them that I’m her daughter and am escorted to her room.

Even before I walk through the door, I can hear machines beeping, and it takes me straight back to my dad’s death a year ago. I suddenly feel nauseous with the memories of that deep and sudden grief. Somehow, I manage to bite back the bile rising up in my throat. I can’t allow myself to get emotional. Lori needs me, and come Hell or high water, I’m going to be present for her.

With all the strength I have, I walk through the open door to the drawn curtain beyond. As I round the corner, I see Liam first. He’s sitting in a chair, forearms resting on his thighs, his face resting in his hands. Everything in me drops.

Oh, fuck.

ICU? Liam looking like he’s already in mourning? This is bad. Really, really bad. Not both parents one year apart. I can’t take that sort of cruel blow.

I steel myself and approach Lori. She’s lying on the bed at a slight incline, her eyes closed. There’s all kinds of intimidating-looking equipment hooked up to her. Monitors are beeping, lights are flashing on and off. My heart seizes.

I swallow. “What’s going on? How is she?”

Liam lifts his head, and I can see the relief on his face that I’m here. He looks worn, haggard. “I’m waiting on the doctor.”

I suck in a breath and nod. He points to a chair beside him, and I slowly sink down into it, flashing him a sidelong glance and acknowledging that something between us feels weird, different.

Honestly, being this close to Liam is doing things to me. He’s always been beautiful—ever since we were kids—but he seems even more striking now, even with the obvious worry written all over his features. He’s wearing a white button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his suit jacket slung over the end of the hospital bed.

Taking a deep breath, I stand up and hit the call button for a nurse. When someone on the other end responds, I reply into the speaker forcing politeness to cover for my annoyance at being left in the dark this long. “Hi, um, my mom just got admitted, and we have no idea what’s going on. Do you know when the doctor will be available to talk to us?”

I try to stay calm as I speak, though I feel like I’m going to lose my shit any second.

“The doctor is on his way up to you now. Sit tight. Just a few minutes.”

My heart sinks, because the way he says it, with sympathy in his tone, gives me the impression that the news is dire. Tears prick at the back of my eyes, but I manage to keep them at bay as I sink back down next to Liam.

“Thank you for coming,” Liam murmurs.

I can’t fight the scowl and push out a harsh breath. “I might hate you, Liam, but Lori is still the only mom I know. Of course I’d be here.”

He lets out a long sigh and leans back against his chair. I can tell he’s about to crawl out of his own skin. Liam has always hated uncertainty. I’m guessing that’s why he’s developed such a control complex. And all this waiting, this uncertainty, must be unbearable for him. My heart softens toward him just a fraction. A barely detectable fraction.

As we wait in silence, I glance at my phone to see if Hart has responded to my earlier text. Nothing. I set my phone aside with a heavy sigh.

“Waiting for someone to call?” Liam asks, suspicion in his tone.

“Is that really any of your business?” I snap back. Now is not the time to argue, but seriously, he could just keep his nose out of it. I don’t need him trying to cock-block me again.

He smirks a little. “You’re my little sister. Of course it’s my business.”

I close my eyes briefly and clench my jaw to keep from saying something I’ll regret. Now is not the time. We’re here for Lori, not to bicker. She’s all that matters right now.

---