Page 54 of Medical Malpractice

I remained quiet, stroking through her soft, silky hair, letting the familiar strands anchor me to the present.

She soon pulled back, wiping a loose sleeve over her dishevelled face. Then her expression gradually hardened. Yep, I was in for it.

“I’m mad at you,” she said.

“Mmhmm.”

“I’m serious, Leo. So mad.”

Rallying the rest of my strength, I lifted her fingers to my lips and kissed her knuckles. “What a relief,” I murmured.

“Huh?”

“Stay mad, Ella. Give me your all. I can take it.” I preferred mad over sadness or pity.

She huffed. “You’re barely alive as it is.”

“I’ve fought this hard. I can fight some more.”

“Go to sleep, idiot.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I settled back into a comfortable position, and when exhaustion threatened to claim me once more, I caught her pleading whisper.

“Don’t ever do that again, Leo.”

“I’ll do whatever you want, darling. Just don’t leave me.”

Then, I let my mind drift into slumber, imagining my wife’s pout at my getting the last word.

“Dad!”

I was sitting upright in my hospital bed as Angelina raced in and jumped on top of me. I immediately wrapped her up tightly, despite the sharp pain piercing my torso.

Gabriella soon followed, shifting Angelina to my side, giving a soft warning to be careful with Daddy before depositing Celeste on my chest. I swear, my insides fucking melted when my baby lifted her head and gave me her big, toothy smile.

I kissed each one of my daughters’ heads, whispering my devotion and love over their crowns as if in blessing. That’s when I caught Austin dawdling in the doorway, averting his gaze.

I cleared my throat. “Come here, Austin,” I said gently.

He took his time, shifting to the vacant side of my bed, scared to venture close. I patted the free space next to me, encouraging him to sit. He did after a few seconds of coaxing.

I ran my fingers through his thick, dark hair—so much like my own—and considered it a win when he raised those similar grey eyes to mine.

That’s when I clocked my boy’s expression, hard lines carved with fatigue and worry.

“Oh, son,” I murmured, pulling his head down to settle in the side of my neck. He came willingly, bunching in next to his sisters.

Austin sniffled into my shoulder. “I arrived at your house, and there were so many people! Police cars, an ambulance. There was even a guy in handcuffs! Mum and Dad made me stay in the car, even though I didn’t want to.”

I hummed, stroking his back. “That must have been scary, huh?”

He nodded. “I didn’t know what happened. I was worried about you, about everyone. I was so scared, Dad.”

I froze, my heart suddenly bleeding for a completely different reason. That was the first time Austin had ever addressed me as Dad, and I thought I would pass the fuck out right then and there, which wouldn’t be a good idea—to scare the shit out of my kids.

Instead, I embraced my overwhelming emotions and kissed his temple. “I love you, Austin. I promise to never scare you like that again, okay?”