Page 67 of Her Filthy Mistake

I slip inside the elevator and the world tips sideways. Shit. I reach out and grab the wall to remain upright as the blood whooshes in my ears. As soon as I get out of here, I need to rest.

The door slides open, and everything goes black. What–

Two arms grab me, and I go down.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Jace

Minutes pass as I pace the waiting room floor. I held Zoe until the ambulance came and retrieved her, but now, they won’t let Daisy or me into the ER to sit with her. My stomach is tied in knots, and it’s only been five minutes.

“Jace.” Daisy grabs my arm and motions to the mom and son, who’re staring at me like I’m an animal at the zoo. The little boy is plastered to his mom’s side, and her hand is clutching her phone. “Why don’t you sit down? You’re freaking people out.”

“Fine.” I slip onto the closest chair with Daisy dropping down beside me.

“She’s going to be fine. She’s healthy and strong. This is a fluke due to stress, and everything is alright.” Her voice is soft and soothing as she tries to talk some sense into me, but it barely penetrates the fear in my head.

“What if it’s something serious?” I scrub my palms on the knees of my jeans.

“It’s not.” This time, her voice is sharp. “So cut it out.”

“Okay.” I inhale and let out a deep breath. “This sucks.”

“I know it does.”

I shake my head. “Her father is going to show up and be able to go straight back because he’s a relative, and we can’t even go back to see her.” I even resorted to telling them I’m her uncle, and they still wouldn’t let me through.

She laces her fingers through mine and slumps against the chair. “I know. Let’s give it a minute, and then I’ll bug the nurse again. What did Carly and Landon say?”

“They’re out of town and can’t get back today.” My knee bounces up and down with nervous energy. “I should have come sooner.”

“Zayden is in there with her. It’s going to be fine. He’ll keep their dad away.”

A few minutes later, a nurse opens the locked ER door and glances through the waiting room. “Jace?”

“Yes.” I jump out of my seat so fast that the chair tips sideways and clanks back onto its feet.

She smiles and holds the door open. Her yellow scrubs are in contrast to the starkness of the hospital. “Zoe has asked for you.”

“Thank God.”

Her eyes drift to Daisy. “Daisy?”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry, but right now, she can only have two people. When her brother comes out, you can switch with him.”

“That’s fine.” She pats my back. “Make sure she’s alright. And if Zayden doesn’t want to come out yet, text me.”

“I will.” I give her a quick hug and follow the nurse through the waiting area, past the nurses’ check-in station, and by several glassed-in rooms.

Kameron Willoughby, the firefighter that happened to be in the building next to Anderson Records when Zoe went down, claps my shoulder after coming out of Zoe’s room. “She’s doing great. Everything will be fine.”

“Thank you.” I shake his hand. “I appreciate you showing up as fast as you did. I….” I clear my throat. “I wasn’t in good headspace at the time.”

“It’s fine. She’s lucky to have you.” He winks, strides through the ER, and out the sliding glass doors.

“Here we go.” The nurse slides the door open to find Zoe awake and Zayden sitting with one leg on the hospital bed by her feet.

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