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“Julia,” Grant said, his tone warning, “we’re walking a fine line here. And, again, it’s nothing you should be concerned with. Focus on your recovery.”

Frustration built within her, and she tightened her grip on the plastic fork.

“It’s fine, Step-mommy,” Sierra said as she plopped on the edge of Julia’s mattress. “It’s not like I said he was a pervert or anything. I just…said he had some confused and unrequited feelings after all the drama we’d lived through, but that it was all in the past.”

Julia sucked in a breath as she polished off the eggs on her plate. Before she could answer, a white-coated doctor hurried into the room, a tablet clutched in her hand. “Mrs. Harrington, how are you feeling this morning?”

“A lot better,” she answered as she shifted to sit higher on the mattress. “Where is Kyle?”

The doctor glanced up from the screen. “Uh, Dr. Carter? He’s not on shift right now, so I’m reviewing your case, and I’ve got some good news.”

Julia offered her a tentative smile. “Can I go home?”

“You can,” she said with a smile. “Your bloodwork looks good. Your latest tox screen came back negative for any traces of poison. You can sleep in your own bed tonight.”

The grin on her lips broadened. “Thank you. How quickly can you sign me out?”

“I’ll get your paperwork started.” The doctor tapped on the tablet before she smiled and strode from the room.

“Thank you,” Julia called after her again.

Sierra wrapped her in a tight hug. “Yay! I’m so glad you’re going home.”

“So am I!” Julia exclaimed before she reached for Grant’s hand and squeezed it.

Her euphoria was replaced by some confusion. She furrowed her brow as her sister hurried inside. “You’re going home?”

“Ally, yes,” Julia said, reaching for her sister and pulling her into a hug.

“Thank goodness. Oh, Juju. I was so worried, but this is such good news.”

“I know. I’m excited to go home. And I promise I will rest and take care of myself.”

“Yes, you will,” Grant said. “I’m going to make sure of that.”

“And so will I,” Alicia said.

Sierra lifted her chin. “Me too. You are not going to move from your bed, Julia. We’re all going to take good care of you.”

“And I am going to let all of you,” Julia promised with a smile.

She leaned back against the pillow, counting the minutes until the nurse returned with her discharge instructions. Shedrummed her fingers on the bed as she waited for them to go over everything with her.

It had been hours since the doctor had given her the update. Her sister, Sierra, and Grant had all hovered over her as they waited to take her home. But where was Kyle?

She sucked in a breath as she finally slid into the backseat, and they headed for Harrington House. Pleased to leave the hospital behind, though worried Alicia and Sierra may kill each other on the ride home, she couldn’t stop wondering about her wayward stepson.

She found her gaze drifting up the stairs as they entered the house, greeted by Worthington.

“Mrs. Harrington, so pleased to have you home. However, I do have a request.”

“Name it,” she said.

“Please stop scaring us like that.”

She chuckled as Grant wrapped an arm around her. “I’ll try. Believe me, I have been in the hospital enough. I would like very much never to see the inside of one again.”

“Time for you to rest,” Grant said. “You heard the nurse.”