Page 392 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 2
I stepped forward and knelt by Penny's hospital bed. "I'm sorry. Baby, please forgive me." I grabbed her hand again and tried to ignore the feeling of ice. "I know you didn't do this. I'm sorry." I touched the side of her cold face. "We have a son. Wake up." I slid my hand to the side of her neck. "You have to wake up now. We need you."
She lay there, frozen in time.
"I need you." I closed my eyes. I couldn't look at her like this. "Baby. You know I can't do this alone."
"Please be gentle," a nurse said from behind me.
I didn't realize how hard I was holding on to her. I let go of the side of her neck and winced at the white spots I had left on her skin. I quickly stood up. The worst part was that Penny didn't even look peaceful. She looked like she was in pain. I slowly backed out of the room. I couldn't be here. I couldn't breathe in this fucking hospital.
The Light to My Darkness - Chapter 39
Monday
James
"We're going home," I said and pulled Scarlett off the floor where she was coloring.
"Is Mommy going to be at home?"
"No, pumpkin."
"But I want Mommy."
"I can go fetch whatever you need," Ellen said and bustled over to us. "Let me be of some use."
"No, that's okay. Scarlett's tired. I'm taking her home."
"I'm not tired, Daddy."
"We'll be back later," I said to everyone without looking at them.
"No! I want Mommy!" She squirmed out of my grip and plopped back down on the floor with her arms folded across her chest.
"We're leaving," I said more sternly.
"I want my Mommy!" She started crying. "Where's Mommy?"
Rob and Daphne were staring at me. My dad was staring at me. Penny's parents were staring at me. I took a step back. I couldn't do this. I couldn't comfort them. I was barely holding on.
Twitch.
I turned around and pushed through the doors to the stairs.
"James!" Rob called after me.
I started running.
Twitch.
God, I needed something to hold on to.
With each step, I knew I should turn around. I knew everything that mattered was back in that hospital. But for some reason, I couldn't hold on to my family and friends. I needed air. I tried to breathe in the stale air of the city, but it was stifling.
***
"How is she?" Porter asked as soon as I stepped out of the elevator in our apartment building.
"I need you to bring me the surveillance footage from when I was away."
