Page 91 of Drama Queen

“What are you talking about?” I asked, thrown off by the blatant accusation.

“We just want to make sure that it was consensual… That’s all,” the nurse chimed in.

“Of course she did. Why would I bring her in if it wasn’t?” I immediately went on the defensive.

“Sir, we thought she was your daughter at first. We meant no offense, but we must take all precautions for her safety,” the nurse added. I moved aside to let them work as they drew blood and connected her to an IV with saline to give her fluids.

Please be okay Lily.

“We need to ask you to step outside while we wait for her to wake up. Is there any immediate family you can call?” the doctor asked as the nurse left to make a call.What the fuck was going on?

“I’ll call her brother; I’ll be in the waiting room. Please let me know when she wakes up,” I said, frustrated.

A little while later, the police walked in and asked to speak with me. As if things couldn’t get any worse, now the police were involved. When they restrained me for ‘safety measures', I knew something terrible was about to happen, so I did the one thing I knew I could do.

I called Lily’s older brother, my best friend, Braxton.

Braxton

The morningafter the first snowstorm of the year, I got a phone call telling me my sister, Lily, was in the hospital. The worst part of it was, Ethan, my best friend and her boss, was the reason she was there and unconscious. I held the phone while Ethan told me of his betrayal. Not only had he taken her virginity, but she was bleeding horribly, and she was now unconscious. Fuck.

“Braxton, are you still there?” Ethan asked nervously. I could hear chains rattling on the other side of the phone.

“I am, but why do I hear chains?” I asked, furiously, “Why my sister? You could have had anyone!”

“The cuffs are because the police showed up and arrested me. They want to hear her side of the story first. And it just happened. I don’t know why or how it happened. I’ve never thought of her, nor any of my employees, romantically before. Please just get here. Lily needs someone with her when she wakes up,” he explained. I never thought he would assault Lily, but was there more to this than what met the eye?

“Is that why there was blood all over the bathroom?” I asked. I came over to bring him breakfast and change my clothes. He caught me in the middle of getting dressed.

“Yes. We got locked in the office while the power was out. The generator didn’t come on, so we were stuck. One thing led to another. I promise you, on everything I know and love, I didnothurt her intentionally!” he pleaded for me to understand. Ethan wasn’t the type to chase women. “When we woke up this morning, she was covered in blood. I was going to take her to the hospital immediately, but she demanded to take a shower. I’m guessing that while I was getting the housekeepers to clean up the office, she passed out. I can’t believe I was stupid enough to leave her alone.”

I knew if he were in trouble, there would be a different tone in his voice. He just didn’t. Honestly, I thought he would be single forever.

“I’m on my way. The roads may be an obstacle, but I’ll be there as soon as I can,” I said, throwing on my jeans.

“Okay, man. I’ll see you soon. Thank you,” Ethan said quietly before hanging up.

Once dressed, I headed to the hospital. It wouldn’t take me long to get there if the roads were clear. Finally showing up to the hospital, I told the nurse who I was and why I was there, and a police officer approached me.

“Sir, we got a call about your sister having possibly been assaulted and now unconscious. We understand that Mr. Brennan is her boss and your friend, so we understand how hard this may be for you. But we do ask for you to think of your sister. Until she can tell us what happened, we can’t assume anything,” the officer with red hair told me.

“Ethan isn’t a predator. If anything, they were victims of circumstance. He can’t and won’t lie to me. Please let me seemy sister.” As I looked around, I saw a doctor waiting outside a room.

“Right this way, sir,” the officer said, escorting me to Lily’s room.

“You’re Lily’s brother?” the doctor asked, looking me up and down.

“I am. There’s an age difference because she was an anniversary miracle. Our parents are in Florida at our grandparent’s house. I’ll call them if it’s needed,” I said quickly. “Can I see my sister?”

“You can. I have to warn you. There’s a big bruise on the left side of her face. Where we are assuming Mr. Brennan punched her,” the doctor accused sharply.

“Or, maybe she hit her head when she passed out in the shower?” I added.

“That’s what Mr. Brennan has said, but we can’t be sure of anything until she wakes up,” the doctor said, still standing by the door.

“Okay, I’d like a few minutes alone with my sister,” I snapped.

“Of course,” the doctor said, closing the curtain. I looked at my little sister. She looked as though she was sleeping peacefully.

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