Olivia’s eyes flit to mine before looking back at the doctor. “He was a doctor. His name is Dr. Chamberland.”
I try to wrack my brain on that name. It doesn’t sound familiar, but Malachi or Arden will know something. After he finishes checking her, he stands and looks between the two of us.
“Everything looks fine, but I would like to see you at my practice in two weeks to check your arm and to do another thorough exam.” I push away from the dresser and extend my arm to shake his hand.
“Thank you, Dr. Franklin. I’ll call and set up an appointment first thing next week.”
After Dr. Franklin leaves, I inhale deeply before turning my attention back to Olivia. I quickly move toward her because she’s turning to get off the bed. “Olivia,” I admonish her. I offer her my hand and help her stand. “I could call everyone up here. There’s enough space in my office.”
She glances up at me with disapproval in her eyes. “That’s our place. No one else is allowed in there.”
I chuckle, and she glares at me. “I don’t think you’ve ever used that tone of voice with me.” No longer able to stop myself, I kiss her quickly. “I kind of liked it.”
She giggles and shakes her head. “I don’t think you’d like it if you were in your Dom role.” She arches an eyebrow at me as I nod in agreement. “I need to use the bathroom, then we can go downstairs.”
I hold on to her hand even though I’m sure she’s perfectly capable of walking to the bathroom, but I need her touch as much as she probably needs mine. Today was a hard day, and it’s about to get even harder when she hears the news.
While she uses the bathroom, I wait at the door and send a quick text to the group chat that was created to let everyone know she’s awake and we’re coming downstairs in a few minutes. When she comes out of the bathroom, we both turn to head out of the bedroom. In the hallway, we stop short at the sight of Bec and Connor. Connor gives me an apologetic smile.
“I know you two were coming downstairs, but I had to see you,” Bec says to Olivia. She steps forward, but stops. “Can I hug you?”
Olivia snorts, but nods. “Of course, just be careful with my arm. It’s tender.”
Bec wraps her arms around Olivia, and they hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” Bec whispers as they hold on to each other. “I was so worried.” She sniffs and Connor steps forward to offer comfort once they stop hugging.
“Thank you, Bec. If anyone understands, it’s you,” Olivia whispers.
Connor and I exchange a look.Who would have thought I’d form a friendship with the man that once hated me?He steps forward and offers his hand. I shake it and he pulls me into a one arm hug before stepping back quickly. Bec and Olivia separate and both are wiping at their eyes. I wrap my arm around Olivia’s waist, and Connor does the same to Bec.
“Come on, Shortcake. Let’s go downstairs.”
Olivia moves slowly down the stairs. When we get to the bottom, she sighs. “I still feel a little dizzy,” she says.
“When is the last time you ate?” I ask her. It’s almost dinnertime now, and everything happened at the beginning of the workday.
She thinks for a moment. “Last night at dinner with you,” she says.
I stop her and stare down at her. “Why didn’t you eat breakfast this morning?” I had to leave early this morning to prepare for the staff meeting.
“I grabbed one of the blueberry muffins Betsy made. I was going to eat it at my desk with a cup of coffee, but…” She swallows and takes a shaky breath.
“Okay. I know Betsy is making food for everyone. I’ll make sure she brings you a plate as soon as she can. That might be one of the reasons you’re dizzy.”
We walk into the dining room where everyone is. It has a large enough table to seat everyone. All the girls are standing and waiting, though. Each one gives her a hug before we sit down. Even Caroline and Bass are here with the baby.
“Can I hold her?” Olivia asks.
“Of course.”
Caroline smiles at her and places a sleeping Mia in her arms. Olivia smiles down at Mia and runs her index finger lightly over the bridge of her nose before settling into the chair. Looks are exchanged around the table. Since this is my house, I guess I need to begin.
“I killed Donovan,” I say. There are various reactions, but the one I’m focused on is Olivia’s. Her eyes snap up to mine. There’s a hesitant hope in them.
“Really?” she asks.
“Yes, really.”
Olivia heaves a huge sigh of relief and leans back in her chair. “I told that woman he was dead, but I wasn’t sure,” she says, as she cradles Mia close to her chest and my heart clenches at the sight. Maybe she’d want to adopt at least one baby. We have enough rooms for us to have an orphanage if she wanted. We canrescue as many children as she wants. I’ll do anything to make her happy.
