Which makes no sense. I pull my thin hospital gown down so it covers my legs and shiver. I long for makeup and a nice outfit, my armor.
“What do you mean?” Olivia asks, setting her elbows on the food tray that’s next to my bed.
“She didn’t eat or drink anything all day yesterday,” he growls, bringing me back to the present conversation.
“I had coffee,” I say defensively.
Daisy pops a baby carrot left over from my lunch into her mouth, crunching it like it’s popcorn as her gaze shifts from Sebastian to me, then back to Sebastian. She passes the bowl of carrots to Olivia, who takes one.
“The doctor said you fainted from a combination of dehydration and hypoglycemia. But you’re also anemic and have low vitamin D…” My former boss ticks off my issues with his fingers. “And he said your blood glucose, A1-C levels, are borderline for prediabetes.”
I look down and worry the blanket. “Thanks for telling everyone my private medical records. I should have insisted on kicking you out when I talked to the doctor.”
He crosses his arms. “Like I’d leave. I have every right to be here.”
It’s my turn to cross my arms over my chest. “Why don’t you tell them why you think it’s your right to know my private medical diagnosis?”
Sebastian smirks. And for a moment, his stark look is replaced by one I know well, the one that hovers between arrogant man and naughty boy.
He lifts his brows and drawls, “Why, darling, I wasn’t sure if you’d want to announce it like this. Because I’m your fiancé, of course.”
CHAPTER 22
Sebastian
The room devolvesinto squeals of denial and excitement. But I’m not watching the others.
All my attention is focused on Emma.
Her mouth opens. Then closes. Then opens again.
I sink into the chair that’s closest to her. The girls left it open, somehow knowing that the space by Emma’s side was mine.
I take her hand, noting how cool and fragile it feels. She attempts to yank it away with a scowl, but I’m not giving it up. I rub my thumb back and forth, and she shivers again, something she did when I first walked into the room. I cover her smooth legs with a blanket and tuck her in.
She makes a huff of annoyance, but I’m pleased that she doesn’t push it away.
I can’t get the sight of her crumpled on the hard ground out of my mind. She was so still; I wasn’t even sure if she was breathing.
My feelings at that moment defied words. Scared would be an understatement. I’d been way past fear. Beyond panic.
It was as if time split. Everything I thought was important before she hit the ground no longer was. And my jumbled feelings became simple. The confusion that started the night Emma gave her notice. The frustration over her refusing to change her mind. The sinking pain of standing in the doorway of her apartment and realizing she didn’t trust me with her worries.
All that was wiped away to leave a blinding clarity, as quiet and calm as the sky after a tornado rolls through.
Before, there was the need for Emma to stay as my assistant.
After, there was only the need for her to be okay. And I vowed that if she was, I would do whatever it took to make sure she was safe, that she was happy—even if her happiness meant I finally had to accept she wanted her freedom.
Even if it meant me letting her go.
But first, I have to fulfill the initial part of my vow and make sure she heals.
Emma shakes her head, which seems to free her tongue. “You’re not my fiancé!”
“That’s not what the nursing staff thinks.” I grin. “Only family was allowed in the room. So, I let them believe we’re engaged. It was the only way I could stay. Oddly, my good looks and charm didn’t work on the head nurse. Even being famous didn’t help. She said she hated actors. Something about an ex-boyfriend.”
“A discerning woman,” Daisy says. “I’d love to meet her.”
