Page 53 of Believing in a Billionaire
“That is a very good question,” Kyle said, “but lucky for you, we figured that out two days ago when you came in.”
“Two days?” she shouted, immediately regretting raising her voice. “Ugh.”
“Julia?” Grant asked, his unshaven face etched with worry. “Do you need anything?”
“Water,” she murmured.
“Just a little,” Kyle said as he held a straw toward her. “You’re probably thirsty, but don’t drink too much. You’re probably also still nauseous.”
She sucked a little water up to quench her thirst. “And my head is still splitting. What’s wrong with me?”
“Well, a few things,” Kyle answered as she stared at the sea of concerned faces around her.
Julia reached for Grant’s hand, hoping to find some strength in it as she waited to hear what was wrong with her.
“The headache is from the seizure you had–”
“Thewhat?” She tightened her grip on Grant’s hand as she tried to push up to sit, immediately regretting it as the room spun around her.
“Easy, Julia. Just relax. You’re still pretty sick.”
“From seizures?” she asked, panic filling her voice as the words came out.
Grant rubbed her hand. “It’s okay, Julia. You’re okay now. You’re going to get better.”
Her forehead creased as she flicked her gaze between Grant and Kyle. Between them, Alicia’s eyes were shadowed with worry, her gaze fixed on Julia as if willing her to be okay. Next to her, Sierra’s forehead creased in concentration, a visible tension in her shoulders.
“From what?”
“Yes, you had a seizure. Your dry mouth is from the medication to control that. But the rest of it, all of it, was caused by poisoning.”
“Poisoning?” Her voice took on an incredulous tone. “Food poisoning?”
Kyle shook his head. “Unfortunately, no. This is something much more serious. This isn’t a simple case of food poisoning, we ran a full toxicology panel and found arsenic in your system.”
Julia’s stomach twisted at the words, a silent scream echoing in her mind. The betrayal felt as sharp as a knife, the fear of the unknown a heavy cloak around her shoulders. “What? How could this happen?”
“We’re still trying to figure that out, but the good news is we found it in time. We’re treating you, and you should make a full recovery,” Kyle said.
Julia blew out a long sigh as she reached for his hand. “Thank you.”
He smiled at her as he squeezed her hand. “You’re welcome. And the next time I want you to come to the hospital, we’re coming right away. We arenotwaiting until you pass out and have a seizure, okay?”
“Deal,” she said with a weak smile.
“Now, I know you’re probably still a little nauseous, but I’d like to see if we can get you up and eating, okay?”
She sucked in a breath as she nodded. “Whatever you say.”
“Good. Let’s see how well this medication is doing. I’ll be right back.”
Kyle disappeared from the room, and Alicia filled in at her side as Sierra wrapped an arm around her father.
“Sorry for scaring everyone,” Julia said as she glanced up at their still-concerned faces.
Alicia’s eyebrows knitted. “Oh, Julia, that was as scary as when those rocks dropped on you.”
“Yeah, sorry,” she repeated before she flicked her gaze to Grant and Sierra. “And how are you two holding up?”
