Page 107 of The Rejected Wife

"It’s the best one in the country." I look around the space with the wooden tables and chairs, and a counter at the far end well-stocked with juices, water and refreshments. Considering the waitstaff who took our orders and brought us our food in minutes, the place resembles a luxurious airport lounge, rather than a typical hospital canteen. I’m grateful for that. While patients need the best care in hospitals, their near and dear also need to be looked after, so they can find the strength to keep going.

"Sinclair has contacts here. Enough for the hospital to prioritize us. And the surgeon who operated on her is known to Arthur. It’s why she took up the case personally."

She toys with her food. "I’m glad she got the best attention."

"You should eat." I nod toward her plate. "You need the sustenance."

She obediently takes a couple of bites from her plate. A fierce satisfaction fills me. The fact that she obeyed me and that she’s eating the food I ordered and paid for… It’s the closest I’ll come to hunting and procuring food for her. I’ve always been dominant, but she brings my caveman tendencies to the fore. I try my best not to be too overbearing around her, but don’t always succeed. She’s smart and knows her mind. She’s gorgeous and sexy, and has proven she can take care of herself. But a part of me is unable to hold back from protecting her. From taking care of her. From wanting to shield her from the world. It’s a primitive instinct I can’t contain. Which is why, when she puts down her fork, I use it to scoop up more food from her plate and offer it to her. She half-smiles, but doesn’t decline. After a few mouthfuls, she shakes her head. "I’m full."

"Have some more."

She chuckles. "Any more, and I’ll burst. I’ve eaten as much as I can, I assure you." She smiles. "Thank you for taking care of me."

I put down my fork, then reach over and place my hand on hers. "You’re my wife. Of course, I’ll always take care of you. I’ll do anything to keep you and Serene safe.” I swallow, then look away. "I failed her." I begin to pull my hand back, but she catches it.

"You couldn’t have known Lauren would track us down here."

"I should have been more careful. When I found out she left the country, I figured she didn’t want anything to do with Serene. I assumed she was Serene’s biological mother and that I didn’t remember her.” I blow out a breath. “And when the DNA testing came back positive, I accepted Serene as my daughter. It didn’t occur to me to investigate that further; which, in retrospect, was naïve of me." I drag my fingers through my hair.

"If I had… I’d have tracked you down earlier. As it was, I was embarrassed. You had reacted poorly to finding out I'd slept around, and I felt like Serene being dropped off at my door was confirmation of my indiscretions. I couldn't face you, knowing what you’d think of me. If I'd known… Of course, it would have surprised me to find out you were her biological mother, but it would’ve meant you’d be a part of our lives earlier. We’d have become a family much sooner." I cradle her smaller, slimmer palm between mine.

"You’re being too hard on yourself. I can understand your embarrassment; I reacted with jealousy, when I barely knew you. I had no right to judge you for what happened before we met. Then, you found out you had a daughter. And naturally, she became your priority,” she says softly.

I shake my head. "If I had been thinking clearly, if I had been more alert, I’d have found out that Lauren had conceived through artificial means. I might have tracked her down and found a way to stop her from getting close to our daughter. I would have protected her better. I’d have stopped Serene from getting hurt. If I'd done more research, I might have discovered you were her biological mother, and we could've been together…"

"You can’t blame yourself for that. Who’d have thought she’d have access to my eggs from the one time I donated them." She places her free hand on top of mine. "What matters is that Serene’s safe now."

“Because of you,” I say, voice rough. I look at her—grasping for the right words. “If you hadn’t been here—God, I don’t know what would’ve happened.”

"Don’t think about that, I?—"

"There you are—" A new voice has us both turning in the direction of the doorway to the café.

51

Priscilla

"What are you doing here?" Tyler frowns at his brother.

Connor cuts a path through the tables and toward us. I notice every woman in the café is watching his progress.

He’s as tall as my husband, as broad. But where Tyler has a wild untamed air about him, Connor—who’s wearing a suit, without a tie—resembles an off-duty spy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he were one. Although Tyler tells me he spends a lot of time away on research expeditions.

Until now, I hadn’t realized that many of the other tables in the cafeteria are occupied. I was too caught up in my husband and what he revealed to me.

Connor reaches us and pulls out a chair next to Tyler before seating himself. "How is she?" His voice is worried.

Now that I look closer, I realize his eyes are bloodshot, and there are shadows under them. He looks like he hasn’t slept much. His next words confirm it.

"The Sovranos loaned me their jet. I got here as fast as I could.”

"You shouldn’t have—" Tyler begins.

"I absolutely should have. You shouldn’t be going through this on your own. Neither of you." He looks between us. "Also, since you’re sitting here in the restaurant instead of in the waiting room"—his eyes turn speculative—"I assume she’s out of danger?"

Tyler nods. "The nurses are watching over her. They promised they’d call when she wakes up."

He relaxes a little, and a server approaches him. "What can I get you?" she asks without taking her gaze off his face.

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