Page 148 of My Damaged Protector

Oh, my goodness. He's in the state he is in right now because of me. If I had just told him the truth, he wouldn't have needed to come to town, and nothing would have happened to him.

This is my fault. I'll never forgive myself if something happens to him.

“Sarah, are you there?”

Clearing my throat, I quickly wipe the tears that managed to escape my eyes. My aunt can't know that something is wrong.

“Yeah,” I croak, sniffing unintentionally.

“Are you crying?” she asks, her voice now alarmed.

“No, I'm fine. I'm just happy you guys are safe.”

“Honey, are you sure? Did that evil boy made you go through with the surgery?”

“No, he's been sorted out. I left the hospital.”

“Really?” she asks, accusatory.

“Yeah.”

“Well, it sounds like you're still at the hospital, though.”

Yeah. My throat gets clogged with emotions, and tears start to pour down my cheeks again.

“Sarah, tell me what is going on right now,” she demands.

I nod, even though she can’t see me. I try to gather my thoughts before I speak again. “It's Ian.”

“What about him? Is he okay?”

“He was in an accident.”

“Goodness gracious. How? Where? Is he going to be okay?”

Her questions just bring more tears to my eyes.

“I don't know, Auntie. And it's my fault.”

“Sarah, I don't know the details of what happened, but I know it's not your fault. And I know he wouldn't want you blaming yourself. You have to be strong for him right now.”

She doesn't understand. He never would have come to New Jersey if not for me.

“He came to New Jersey for me. Helped me with Peter. He even found out about the baby, and he was happy. He told me he loves me and then said he had to leave. That's when it happened.”

“Sarah, I need you to stop blaming yourself. It won't do you any good.”

I didn't do Ian any good, either. I should have just trusted him like he asked!

“Miss Brown?” A male doctor comes to stand in front of me.

“Auntie, I have to go.” I end the call and get on my feet immediately, pocketing my phone. “Can I see him now?” I ask the doctor.

He looks at me with pity as he speaks.

“I'm afraid not. Mr. Peele has a few broken ribs, a cracked skull, and some internal bleeding. He needs to be operated on. Currently, we've placed him in a medically induced coma to reduce the swelling in his brain. But I have to be honest with you, he needs an operation, and we need to do it fast if we're ever going to have any chance of saving him.”

He finishes speaking, waiting for me to respond to him, but I'm unable to.

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