Page 69 of Her Filthy Mistake

“The resort was their way of forcing us to spend time together.”

Her mouth drops open as she stares at the wall behind me. When she snaps her lips back together, she shakes her head. “Now it all makes sense. The shared bungalow. The marriage boot camp. Being partnered with you. The won prizes. The bonfire at the beach.” She wrinkles her nose. “I think I owe them a new car or something.”

Moments later, the door slides open, and the doctor joins us. After a quick introduction, the older man with white hair takes off the stethoscope from around his neck and listens to Zoe’s heart while waiting for the blood pressure machine to take her vitals. My chest hurts from the pressure of waiting. Zoe reaches out and grasps my hand with her cold fingers.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, Ma’am.” He smiles reassuringly. “You’re doing great. You were dehydrated, and getting these fluids through you will have you feeling great. Once the remaining IV solution has been administered, we’ll get you out of here.”

Thank God. The tension in my body eases until it feels like I have Jello in my veins.

He tilts his head. “You need to take better care of yourself. Drink plenty of fluids. Eat. Rest. Avoid stress. And see your primary care physician in a few days.”

“Thank you.” She sags into the pillow. “I was worried.”

“There’s nothing to be worried about.” He slips the stethoscope back around his neck. “You’re a healthy young woman.” He glances. “Which is a good thing because this man seems pretty taken with you.”

Her eyes light up. “He is.”

Once the doctor leaves, I kiss her forehead. “You’ve got to take care of yourself.”

“I will. It was a stressful few weeks. I don’t anticipate that will happen again.”

“You’re right.” The door slides open, but my attention remains glued to her. “I’m here to take care of you.”

“Zoe!”

I jump off the bed at Fletcher’s voice behind me and spin to face him. My hands ball into fists as my gaze sweeps over him. His hair is flipped in all directions, his tie is loose around his neck, and the wildness in his eyes has me standing between him and Zoe.

“Dad, I don’t want you here.”

“That’s nonsense.” He takes a step toward the bed, and I dodge in front of him, thrusting my hand into his chest.

“You need to go. The lady said her wishes nicely. I won’t be so kind.” Anger and resentment rush through me as all the years of suffering I’ve gone through at this man’s hands.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Dad, you need to go. Now.” She sits upright, and I shove him backward.

“You heard her. You need to go.”

“She’s my daughter. I have the right to be here. You don’t.”

I fist his tie and yank him forward until his face is next to mine. “Get the fuck out before I make you. The only reason you’re not behind bars is because I love Zoe, and I’m going to let her decide what happens to you. Now go before I decide for her.”

“Asshole.”

“Dad.” Zayden grabs his arm and yanks him outside the door. “You heard Zoe and Jace. You need to go.” His gaze drifts to me and then to Zoe. “I’m sorry he made it through. Daisy and I were talking, and he snuck past us.”

“You don’t understand.” Fletcher shifts his attention to Zayden.

“Sadly, I do.” Zayden forcefully moves him through the ER. “I understand too well.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Zoe

“I can walk.” I glare up at Jace as I adjust my arms around his neck, inhaling his familiar scent as he carries me from my car to the front door of my house. “They wouldn’t have let me go if I was too sick to walk.”

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