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“What about his breakfast?” she spoke out. “The doctor won’t be happy if he hears Mr. Amhurst missed—”
“Don’t you worry about that,” Milla said in a sugary tone. “We’ve brought him homecooked food.”
“It’s important to maintain a good diet. The doctor won’t be pleased if he hears—”
“I’ll have a talk with Dr. Patel later,” said Milla in that freakishly sweet voice. “Visiting hours have commenced, so if you don’t mind, we’d all like a little privacy.”
Dad gave a mild nod from beside her.
“All right, then,” said the nurse. “I shall look in later to give you your sponge bath.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” said Milla at once. “I’ll do that for him.”
“But, I ought to—”
“I’ll do it,” Milla said through clenched teeth even though she maintained a smile on her face.
Relief spread through me at once. I absolutely didn’t want that stranger touching me.
A knowing grin spread on Milla’s face as she noticed my relaxed expression. She winked.
“How are you feeling, son?” Dad asked, moving to take Caleb’s place by my bedside.
“Same,” I said. “The painkillers make it bearable but I still can’t move arm.”
“Don’t rush it,” he said in a grim tone. “You were shot. We’re all lucky you survived at all. Just take it easy. Dr. Patel has said it’ll take a few months for you to be able to move your arm like before.”
He patted my back and wrapped his arms around me in a light hug. “It’ll all be okay,” he said in a gentle voice.
It was strange how the gesture spread warmth through my chest. I hated the man when I thought he was my father. Now that I knew the truth, it felt weirdly good when he showed me warmth.
“Let’s give him some real food,” Corey announced in a loud voice. “Where are the plates, Milla?”
“They’re inside the blue tote,” she replied, gesturing at the corners where all the bags and boxes were piled up.
Caleb, Corey and Irene gathered there, bringing out boxes and plates.
Milla came to sit on the edge of my bed. She gazed at me with worried eyes and without a word, hugged me.
I caressed her back while she held me.
There was no need for words between us. We’d both been incredibly lucky to survive that night.
If my brothers didn’t bring help and rescued us in time, Milla would be lost to us forever. The beautiful family we’d gathered around us would’ve vanished into dust too.
I gazed toward my brothers. They were both cracking silly jokes and making Irene laugh. Dad was also smiling but he was also the only one serving food on the plates.
There were countless times when I called my brothers idiots and fools, but when time came for real action, they’d been the ones who took control of the situation and saved my ass.
Shame burned inside me.
It wasn’t just Milla I treated unfairly.
Caleb and Corey were the ones who suffered the brunt of my rage, hatred and obsessive need for control. They did it all without ever abandoning me.
“What is it?” Milla asked in a low voice. She was staring deeply into my eyes, noticing the change in my mood.
I shook my head and smiled.
