Page 1 of The Exposed Heiress

Chapter 1

Emma Bolles stepped back, giving space to the medical staff caring for her father. Her gaze stayed fixed on his bruised and damaged body. Placing trembling fingers against her mouth, her mind tried to make sense of the commotion unfolding before her.

James Bolles was unconscious, with bandages on his head and his cycling shirt and shorts cut open, revealing deep lacerations and broken limbs. A doctor began calling out commands as he scrubbed his hands over a sink.

Emma stepped forward and touched her father’s shoulder, and whispered to him, “You’re going to survive this.”

A nurse said to her in a kind voice, “Step back and give us room to work on him.”

A doctor listened to his chest and asked for someone to cut off the rest of his clothing. A staff member yanked the curtain closed.

Moving away from the closed curtain, Emma motioned for her mother and brothers to give the medical personnel space.

Her mother clung to her brother Samuel’s arm, and said, “He shouldn’t be seen in such a compromised way. We have to move him to a hospital that will protect him. The Royal London Hospital can’t possibly provide enough privacy.”

Jeremy glanced at Emma before turning back to their mother. “He can’t be moved until he’s stable. This is the best place for him right now.”

Looking at each of her brothers, Emma said, “I can’t believe you were able to get here so quickly.”

Samuel said, “I had a meeting in London.”

Jeremy nodded. “Same. I was only a few blocks away.”

Emma tapped her fingers against her breastbone. Her father wasn’t a thrill seeker. How could he have not seen the lorry? It didn’t make sense. He biked nearly every day and stayed to the same route.

The last few weeks flashed through her mind. He had seemed distracted, barely speaking to her and staying hidden away in his office. There were murmurings among the staff that budgets were being slashed. She had stayed in the design studio, finishing the work on their new Spring collection.

Samuel offered her a water bottle. “You should take a sip of water. You look pale.”

Emma looked at him. “I can’t understand how this happened. I saw him an hour ago.”

He placed an arm around her shoulders. “He’ll pull through, Em.”

Jeremy was speaking in soothing tones to their mother but Georgia clutched her pearl necklace and was shaking her head.

“What if he never wakes up?” her mother shrieked.

Moving closer to her mother, Emma touched her hand. “Mum, the accident just happened. We have to give the doctors time to figure out what his injuries are and the best way to help him. We can’t imagine the worst or rush this process.”

Her mother stared at her. “I can’t stay in this cold, sterile place hoping that he wakes up. There are reporters downstairs, ready to pull our family apart.”

Jeremy pinched the bridge of his nose. “Maybe you should go home and rest for a while. I can get you when Dad starts to wake up. Sam, can you take her home?”

Her mother clutched her throat. “What if he wakes up and I’m not here?”

Samuel said to Georgia, “It’ll be hours before we can see him. I’ll come and get you if he wakes up tonight.”

Her mother clutched her arm. “You should go to Francis Bolles and release a statement. Tell everyone that he’ll be fine.”

Emma pushed her hair over her shoulder. “It’s too soon, mum. We don’t know anything.”

Georgia’s mouth tightened. “Your father would want the couture house protected. If we show weakness, it could destroy everything he has spent his life working towards.”

Nodding, Emma said, “I’ll handle it. I’ll deal with the PR aspects later this evening.”

She looked at her mother but decided to not be drawn into a conversation. Her mother was in shock. But she wouldn’t make any type of statement before she knew her father would pull through.

“Good. I’ll head back to the house and collect myself.” Her mother’s voice broke and Samuel stepped in to guide her to the back service elevator.

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