Page 65 of The Billionaire and the Nanny

There really was no respite for the wicked.

I had just been in a major car crash, and I had still survived. I really couldn’t catch a break.

As I lay there in the bay, listening to the machines beep around me, I prayed for death. I wished I could just will my body to shut down, for my insides to bleed out, for my heart or brain to explode. Nothing worked. Hours passed, and I was still around, my heart rate getting stronger, and my blood pressure stabilizing, according to the nurse who was monitoring me around the clock. When they finally transferred me to intensive care, I tugged at the nurse’s hand and beckoned her closer.

“No visitors,” I begged.

Her eyes widened in understanding and she nodded.

“I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed,” she promised.

She was true to her word. I had no visitors for the next two days as I healed in intensive care. But when they wheeled me into a private room, Fee was waiting for me with a massivebouquet of flowers taking up most of the space on my bedside table.

She hugged me gently and pushed my hair back from my face.

“Thank you,” she whispered, with tears in her eyes.

“For what?” I asked in confusion.

If anything, I should have been apologizing to her for putting Maddie in such danger.

“For protecting our baby.”

I shook my head. How could I explain to this loving woman that I was feeling guilty as hell? And that I wished I was dead so that I wouldn’t have to face the consequences of my actions.

“Don’t work yourself up, my dear. You need to rest and heal. That dragon of a doctor has banned Leo from visiting you until you’re stronger. But these flowers are from him, and these chocolates are from Maddie. I’ll stay here as long as you like, but if you get tired, feel free to kick me out,” she said kindly.

Tears sprang to my eyes at her kindness.

“Oh, please don’t cry. Otherwise, your doctor won’t let me return tomorrow,” she exclaimed.

I wiped my tears hastily because it felt good to talk to someone after two days of being on my own.

The Police Commissioner came to visit me after Fee left and took down a detailed statement. He was all praise for my courage, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I was responsible for the whole mess that ended in my brother’s death. I didn’t mourn Arjun. I knew his friends had cremated him. I didn’t want to know the details because I didn’t care. He had brought this end on himself.

But now, I was the last of the Monanis. Heiress to whatever was left of the family firm. I wanted nothing from the firm. I was going to sell it if I could find any takers, and donate the money to charity. I turned my head restlessly and froze when I sawhim standing in the corridor, looking into my room through the window. Leo.

The intensity in his eyes scared me. It was as if he couldn’t take his eyes off me. How long had he been standing there? I sighed heavily. I really had to put him out of his misery. I knew he felt guilty about the accident, and Leo was too decent a man to break up with a woman when his actions landed her in hospital.

I forced myself to sit up in bed and beckoned him in.

Leo ran in and fussed over the position of the bed until I pushed him away.

“Stop it! I’m fine,” I snapped.

“Are you?” he asked, staring at me intently.

I looked away, but my eyes landed on his flowers.

“They are beautiful, thank you,” I said politely.

Leo said nothing.

When the silence became unbearable, I turned to meet his eyes.

“Do you hate the sight of me, Tia? Are you so upset with me? I wouldn’t blame you if you’re upset. I just want to know,” he clarified hastily. “I’ll leave you alone if you want me to.”

“I’m not upset with you at all, Leo. The accident was Arjun’s fault, not yours. I… I just know why you’re here, and I think it’s time to put you out of your misery.”

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