Page 159 of Beautiful Storm

“I can take it from here,” she says, placing her hand on my arm as though she’s comforting me. “I’ll call you once I know anything. You should go home.”

“That’s okay. I’m good here.”

“I’m not asking. You should leave.”

The fuck?“Like hell.” I shake her off. “I’m staying. There is nothing you can say that will make me walk away. Nothing.”

Alice clenches her fists, steam practically rolling out of her ears. She was always a good mom to Amelia when we were kids. She always showed up until Amelia’s dad left. Amelia told me herself that they’re barely speaking now.

“You’ve done enough,” she says, lowering her voice. “We’ve all seen the news. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re the reason she’s here.”

“Excuse me.” I step into her personal space as her words seep into my thoughts, and I hate that she’s fucking right. I am the reason she’s here. If I’d just kept my cool. Fuck, I need her. “Why are you here?” I snap. “How did you know to come?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Lainey cuts in before Alice can answer. “Anyone who cares about Amelia has the right to stay. Come on, Luke. Let's stand over here. Give her some space.” Lainey tries to drag me away, but Alice calls out to get in the last word.

“She’s my daughter. I know what’s best for her and—”

“She’s mywife.” I shake Lainey off as I growl, making Alice gasp, reminding me that’s probably news to her. But I don't care. “She’s my wife and she’s carrying my child,” I continue, enjoying the shock on her face. “I amnotleaving.”

“Mrs. Rosenberg,” Lainey begins, “it’s—”

“Creed,” Amelia’s mom cuts in. “It’s Ms. Creed.”

I knew that was her last name. She’d gone back to her maiden name after her divorce. I hated that Amelia kept that jerk's name, but I never questioned it. Until today. She knew what he’d done and she kept his name? Why?

Lainey continues pleading with Alice, but I tune them both out. No matter the outcome, I’m not moving. Not unless it’s in the direction of Amelia’s room.

An alarm goes off somewhere in the hospital, and my anger makes way for panic as I drop into a chair, sinking my head inmy hands.What’s happening, Amelia? Please be okay. I need you both to be okay.

“Excuse me.” An unfamiliar voice enters my mind as someone touches my shoulder, making me jump as I glance up. “Are you Amelia’s husband?”

“Yes.” I stand up and nod. “Yes. Is she okay?”

The nurse gently clasps my elbow as she guides me away from the chaos, away from Alice, thankfully before she sees us.

“Amelia suffered a head trauma during her fall, increasing her blood pressure and putting the baby at risk,” she fills me in as we walk.

“Jesus. What does that mean?”

“Doctors had to perform an emergency C-section and—”

“No.No.” My heart races as I struggle to get air into my lungs. “They can’t. She’s thirty-five weeks. It’s too early. And I should have been there. Ishould be there.”

“Your baby was distressed from the fall, and no one notified us that you were here. With your wife’s preeclampsia, this was the best course of action. You can see her now. I’m one of the nurses from the Special Care Nursery, I can take you.”

“See who?”

“Your baby.”

My baby?A wave of emotion takes over me and I suck in a breath. “Is she okay?” Yes, I’m repeating the same question over and over but I need answers. “Will there be any complications?”

“She’s good. She—”

“Wait. What about Amelia?”

The nurse’s eyes soften before she stops walking and turns to face me. “Your wife lost consciousness during the procedure. She woke up shortly after, but doctors are concerned she might have swelling on the brain. They’ve taken her in for a CT scan.”

Fuck. Tension coils around my heart, but I try to stay calm.

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