Page 76 of The Arrogant's Redemption

“Because I made a mistake in the past.”

“You didn’t make a mistake. You lied to her.”

“What?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing. Like I said, I won’t interfere. When my daughter is strong enough, you two can talk. As for the apartment, I’ll try to convince her. It makes perfect sense. But there’s one more thing we need to talk about.” She sounds awkward. “I was so nervous to get to you and hear the news that I didn’t realize we never discussed payment.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“I won’t accept charity.”

“It’s not charity. I’ll talk to my partners. Everything will be on us.”

“But—”

“Pick your battles, Marla. I’m not an easy opponent.”

Alexis

CHAPTER FORTY

"Wasit your job to oversee my transfer from the ICU to a regular room, or to keep visiting me almost every day?" I ask LJ, crankily.

After four nights in the Intensive Care Unit, I was moved to a room, and now I’ve been here for eight days—twelve total since I was admitted. Each morning I feel a bit better, but I know I still have a long way to go before I fully recover. According to what he told me, I might be discharged at the end of this week.

I miss my son so much, and I am counting down the seconds until I can see him again.

I’ve never felt so torn in my life. As much as I can’t forget what LJ did to me—all those nights I cried alone, wondering if I’d be able to raise a child without his support—I can’t stop being grateful that he saved me.

He explained what happened—that I fainted in his office, was immediately sent for a series of tests and then to the OR. I only remember it vaguely.

When I woke up from surgery, LJ was the first person I saw. I wish I could say I hated him in that moment like I’ve done for nearly two years, but that would be a lie.

All I could think about as he stared silently at me was that his effect on me hasn’t changed at all, no matter how much I despise myself for it.

My mom comes to see me every day. She and Badger have been taking turns since one of them has to stay with Sedric—and just thinking about that makes my blood run cold, because I know I’ll eventually have to tell this man he’s a father.

"This hospital is mine," he replies arrogantly, not at all ruffled by my snippy tone. "I can supervise whatever I want."

"Don’t you have other surgeries?"

"I only operate on special cases."

I swallow hard, and before I even open my mouth, the words scratch my throat. "Thanks again."

"Wait a little before you go back to hating me, Alexis."

"That’s not funny."

"I wasn’t trying to be funny. Take my words literally—we’ll be seeing each other a lot more."

"Why?" I ask, suspicious, and for a moment panic creeps in but then quickly fades. I know my mother would never betray me by telling him about Sedric behind my back.

"You’re going to have to stay in Manhattan for a while."

"I know. I think my mom’s looking for a place for us to stay once I’m discharged."

He doesn’t say anything, just looks at me in that unreadable way that makes me anxious.

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