Hannah no longer focused on her cards. She stared at the entrance.
Kassie walked toward her with an older couple.
“It’s my parents,” she whispered.
Cole pulled her closer, his eyes narrowed on the man who caused her so much misery.
“Hi, Hannah. I tried calling you, but you left your phone in my office when you filled out the paperwork earlier. Your parents decide to surprise you,” she said stiffly. Kassie handed the device back to her.
Hannah’s mom stepped forward, tears filled her eyes as she embraced her daughter. “Oh my gosh, I can’t tell you how I imagined you sitting in the hospital room all by yourself. It’s such a relief to see you like this,” her mom gushed.
Hannah stiffened as she stepped back into Cole’s hold. “Hello, Dad.”
“Hannah,” he greeted, appearing uncomfortable.
“Why don’t we take you to the hospital and we can talk there,” Kassie suggested.
Cherise handed her the cookie box and shooed them away.
Hannah shook like a leaf as Doc drove them separately from her parents back to the hospital.
“Claire, Catherine, and our lawyer have gathered in the conference room. Your parents arrived about an hour ago and demanded to see you. Kassie explained you no longer resided at the hospital. Your dad demanded to see you immediately, or he threatened to involve the police. We felt the quieter we handled this, the better,” Doc explained.
Hannah gripped Cole’s hand. “I’m not going home with them,” she said, sounding more like she needed to convince herself.
“You’re in control,” Cole reminded her. “I’m here to support you.”
Brody placed his head on her knee while Nine leaned against her hip. They protected her from all sides from any danger. But could they protect her from her father?
CHAPTER 30
They headedtoward the entrance and Cole pulled Hannah back from the group. “We’re in this together. They can’t force you,” he reminded her as his hand slid behind her neck and he kissed her forehead. “Brody and I will be right beside you.”
“I know,” she said shakily.
They entered the conference room. Her mom sat in a chair at the end of the table. Kassie, Claire, Catherine, and the lawyer sat on one side of the table. Her father stood behind his wife, pacing the floor. When he saw Hannah, he pulled out a chair beside her mother and gestured for her to have a seat.
Cole walked to where her dad stood and pulled out another chair and held it while she sat. He took the seat her father offered while Brody and Nine stayed on her right, leaving her father to sit by Doc Winters toward the front. Hannah hid her smile at Cole’s chess move.
“What in the hell is going on here?” Conrad Bailey thundered. “I brought my mute daughter to a hospital and requested you send her home. We fly across the country to find her shacked up with some man and playing Bingo.”
“Mr. Bailey, I informed you of Hannah’s decision to stay here. Our attorney assures us the paperwork Hannah signedrevoking your POA got delivered,” Kassie said firmly, refusing to let the man intimidate her.
“Hannah didn’t talk for two years. She suddenly decides to speak, and you believe she’s capable of making smart choices?” he asked incredulously.
“She’s extremely capable of making her own decisions. It seems to me, you’re more concerned you can’t control her,” Cole growled. Brody stood at hearing his master’s tone.
“Young man, I don’t even know why you’re here,” Conrad exclaimed. “I’ve never seen you at any of those meetings.”
“I’m Cole Martin, an employee of the Serenity Securities Team. Hannah’s currently staying with me,” he said boldly.
Kassie groaned and took out her phone, texting someone.
“I’m still under the Winters Foundation’s care,” Hannah explained. “I have a job with the security team and I’m healing.”
“When did Bingo constitute therapy?” her father spat. “Do you have any idea how much worry you’ve caused your mother?”
“I…I” the words refused to come out. She felt her body shutting down, and the fog descended over her emotions.
