Page 9 of Obsessed Heir

Either way, she’s better off keeping her distance, for both our sakes.

Chapter Three

Abigail

Barron McClelland arrives like a tsunami crashing against the shore. The shadow he casts is almost as imposing as the one from the enormous cruise ship towering behind him.

He barely spares me a passing glance as his intense gaze locks onto his mother.

“Barron,” Miss Opal says with a breathless note in her voice. Feeling awkward and a little out of place, I hastily step back, pulling my hand from around her shoulders.

“Mother.” The deep rumble of his voice startles me, despite having prepared myself to see him. He leans down to kiss the cheek she offers him.

I’m caught off guard watching the tender mother-son interaction. Everything I’ve seen and read about Barron McClelland describes him as rich, aloof, and ruthless.

A vague memory has him curtly ensuring her financial affairs are in order, but nothing about her. There was no deeperconcern for her well-being. He hardly spared time for the occasional phone call, even while she was hospitalized.

For a moment, there’s a flicker of warmth penetrating the ever-present scowl I’ve become so familiar with. Apparently, despite his gruff exterior, Barron reserves a softer side solely for his mother.

“I’m so sorry I caused such an uproar,” Miss Opal says, shaking her head as she looks from him to the doctor to me. “Now, I have you and this lovely gentleman waiting on me.”

Dr. Stein presses his fingers against her injured ankle, gently rotating her foot as he watches for her reaction.

Miss Opal winces, sucking in a quick breath as he finds a tender spot.

“I’m done,” the doctor murmurs. He sets her foot on the wheelchair’s footrest with utmost care. Even from a few feet away, it’s impossible to miss how her ankle has already swelled.

Dr. Stein leans back and reaches into the bag he brought with him. “I’m going to put a compression bandage on your ankle, Mrs. McClelland,” he explains.

“How bad is it?” Barron asks gruffly. He leans over the doctor’s shoulder, inspecting the injury with a deepening frown.

“It doesn’t appear to be broken.” Dr. Stein pulls an elastic bandage from its packaging. “I’m wrapping it to help with swelling. Once we have her on board, I’ll take an X-ray to be sure, but I suspect it’s a moderate sprain.”

“Good,” Barron grunts with a curt nod. His shoulders lose some of their tension.

“I certainly hope that’s all it is,” Miss Opal echoes, her expression showing obvious relief.

As Dr. Stein wraps the bandage around her ankle, my stomach ties itself into fresh knots of guilt. My carelessness and lack of foresight caused this whole nightmarish situation.

If only I hadn’t brought that stupid backpack with me in the first place, or if I’d said something when the driver set it down…

But it’s too late for remorse. The damage is done. It’s my fault this kind woman is facing unexpected complications and discomfort.

“I recommend you stay off this foot for at least two or three days,” the doctor stresses. “We’ll provide ice packs for you to have available. You’ll make sure to keep your ankle elevated as much as possible so you can keep the swelling under control.”

“Yes, of course, Doctor,” Miss Opal replies dutifully as he continues winding the tan bandage up her ankle.

“There we go,” Dr. Stein says, securing the compression bandage in place with a small metal clip. “We’ll get you something to take for the pain as needed.”

“It doesn’t hurt too bad,” she assures him, flexing her bandaged ankle up and down. But the slight grimace that flits across her face tells a different story.

“Better to have the medication, just in case,” he says sagely. He stoops to scoop up her discarded shoe and the knee-high stocking she was wearing. “Now, let’s go to my office.”

The man who came with Barron starts arranging the luggage, including my damned backpack.

“I’ll take that.” I step forward, holding my hands out in a desperate need to be helpful.

“Thanks,” Dr. Stein replies, offering a reassuring smile as he gives me her things. He stands then picks up his medical bag.

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