Page 36 of Her Remarkable Protector

The comms crackle again as Ethan tries to defuse the situation. “Oakley, listen. I’m not taking you back to my parents’ house. I’m taking you back to Honor. She’s worried sick about you, man.”

There’s a pause, only the sound of Oakley’s uneven breathing filling the line.

“Is everything okay here?” a policeman asks in the background, his voice calm but cautious.

“It’s fine,” Ethan replies, waving him off. “I’ve got it under control.”

After a long silence, Oakley’s voice comes through again, quieter this time. “Fine. Whatever.”

Ethan exhales audibly. “Good. Let’s go.”

Honor’s shoulders slump in relief as she watches Oakley climb into Ethan’s car on the screen. He doesn’t say another word, his face turned toward the window, but at least he’s safe.

* * *

Ethan and Oakleypull up to the hospital. Ethan steps out first, calm and composed, while Oakley drags his feet, his hoodie pulled up like it’s some kind of shield.

Honor is already at the door, clutching Laramie in one arm, her face tight with relief and worry. The moment Oakley’s close enough, she pulls him into a hug, but he stands stiff, his arms dangling at his sides.

“Oakley, what were you thinking?” she says, her voice cracking on the edges.

“I’ve explained to Ethan. Ask him,” Oakley mutters, his gaze fixed somewhere past her shoulder.

She tugs him forward, taking him into the room.

“Oak…” Her voice drops. “Please. I know you’re frustrated. I know things aren’t the way they used to be. You can’t do the things you’re used to doing. But I need you to stay with the Connors. We can’t be together all the time. You know it’s not practical.”

He shrugs, rolling his eyes. “I just needed a cig. Chill, it’s not a big deal.”

“And Rollo?” Honor snaps, her control slipping. “Did you see how he just left you and tried to run away?”

“It was Ethan’s fault!”

“You think Rollo would’ve just driven you back here? No! He would’ve taken you straight to your parents.”

Oakley flinches but doesn’t back down. “Oh, well maybe that would’ve been better!”

The words hit Honor like a physical blow. I see it in the way her shoulders sag, the way her grip on Laramie tightens. The baby, as if sensing the tension, starts to cry. Honor closes her eyes, her breath shuddering as she shifts her focus to soothing Laramie.

I can see her unraveling, torn between keeping it together for her baby and trying to reach Oakley, who’s digging in deeper. She presses her lips together, clearly searching for the right thing to say, but I know this is the moment to step in.

I move closer, lowering my voice as I lean toward her. “Can I talk to him?”

She looks up at me, her eyes glassy with unshed tears, and nods. “Yeah. Please.”

I step between them, my tone firm but calm. “Come on, gents. Let’s talk outside,” I tell Oakley and Ethan.

We sit in one of the waiting rooms. Oakley’s slumped in his chair, arms crossed.

“Spill it, Oakley,” I say, keeping my tone steady but direct.

He glances at me, caught off guard, but stays quiet.

“Spill it all,” I repeat. “I promise, whatever you say, it stays between us. Honor doesn’t have to know unless you want her to.”

His shoulders drop slightly. “It was a mistake. Running away from my parents and following her,” he mutters. “I thought things would work out. But then she just… pushed me away to live with someone else.”

I nod, letting the silence stretch. Sometimes, that’s when the truth surfaces.

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