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“What did I say about rolling those pretty little eyes, baby?” he whispered, and I blushed as he placed a kiss on my lips. He chuckled at my shyness, and I pushed him away.
He bit his lip. “Push me away all you want now, Princess… there’s no pushing me away tonight, though,” he muttered.
I ignored him as my father called my phone. I glared over at Archer as I ignored the call.
“Do you see what happens when we try to get frisky? The universe brings my dad to us,” I muttered.
Archer leaned against the desk. “Pretty sure that’s not why he’s calling.”
I sighed as he was calling once again. I didn’t really want to pick up as I had no idea what I’d say to the man. This was the first time he’d called in the last week, and what a coincidence it was that I was with Archer as well.
The call went away, and I groaned as Archer gave me a knowing look. I ignored him as I went back to the computer, but I heard another notification from my phone, only this time it was a message from Ivory.
I picked it up and read the message, my heart beginning to race. Time felt like it had stopped, and my breaths became more labored.
Ivory: Mom is in the hospital. It’s the baby.
Chapter sixty-two
Delilah
Entering the hospital, I rushed to the trauma center with Archer on my tail. Entering the waiting room, I immediately spotted Ivory and Kimiko before quickly rushing over to them.
“What happened?” I asked in a panic, and Ivory sighed.
“She was walking outside in the garden with the twins, and Benny found her lying on the ground as the twins cried... I’m scared, Dee,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around me.
I bit my lip. Even I wanted to let out a few tears, but I couldn’t—not when she was feeling vulnerable and weak. I needed to be strong for her—for Zachary, who was pacing the floor back and forth, occasionally sending Archer a glance or two. For Kimi, who looked in a panic. For my father, who was most likely somewhere in this hospital breaking something or scaring someone... and for Uncle Blaine, who was probably trying to eat away his fears.
I shushed Ivory softly as the doctor walked over with his clipboard. “You must be the Russel family,” he said, and we nodded. My eyes lifted, and I noticed my father walking overslowly as well. He gazed at me briefly, and I lowered my eyes quickly.
“We’ve assessed her condition, and we’re lucky that she’s stable for now. Not only is her iron level low, but her blood sugar and blood pressure are also severely low. It could be due to a lack of nutrition. Still, we suspect the main perpetrator to be some sort of stress... you’ll be able to see her soon enough. Just be sure not to give her as much stress in the upcoming weeks, and let’s broaden her diet with a bit more than her cravings of Oreo ice cream and banana peppers.”
We thanked him sincerely, and he nodded, walking away.
I let out a breath, and as Ivory pulled away, Zachary grabbed her hand to sit on the sofa. My father’s eyes were definitely on me, and I felt somewhat alone as Archer kept a… safe distance. Thankfully, Kimi was beside me and slowly rubbed her hand on my shoulder.
I wasn’t scared of my father… but I didn’t feel ready to speak to him yet. I may have been acting a bit childish, but I couldn’t bring myself to even look at him, as harsh as that may seem.
He was biting his tongue, but I could tell from his stance and the look in his eyes that he wanted to kill Archer.
Soon, they let us into Mom’s room, and she lay in bed, awake, smiling at us.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, my siblings and I talked with her, and Archer came and stood by me as he held my hand in his.
I heard a few footsteps and bit my lip as the door closed. I could tell my father had left the room. I lowered my head, and my mother lifted my chin with her hand.
“Give him time, baby… he’ll come around,” she whispered.
Zachary scoffed. “Why should he have to?” he growled.
My heart clenched as Archer rubbed the back of my hand.
My mother glared at him. “Zachary. Stop it,” she said, and he stood up wordlessly and left the room as well. My mother sighed heavily. “God, he’s just like his father.”
“I can’t blame him,” Archer said beside me.
Mom shook her head. “No. I blame them both. This is more than the two of them not liking you or Calvin. They’re too overprotective, and it’s hurting those around them,” she muttered, and I nodded, agreeing with her wholeheartedly.
