74: Flames Of Jealousy
SERA
My throat was tight as I watched Rue sleep. The doctor said she was okay now. Her IVs were done, and so were the transfusions. They just wanted to monitor her for one more day.
It was strange how I suddenly felt so attached to her even with my memory loss, but I couldn't help it. I let my fingers drift through her curls, marveling at how they mirrored Killian's. I couldn't even begin to imagine how my husband was feeling at the moment.
During the few minutes after I'd shown him the photo on my phone, I'd seen what a man looked like when he was losing his mind. And it had terrified me. But, when I'd seen Arabella hugging him earlier, even if it was for barely a few seconds, I'd felt an ugly emotion twist in my chest. I'd felt...jealous too. It was silly of me. But I wished I had a child with Killian too.
"You know, no matter how long you touch and fuss over her, she'll always remain my daughter. Not yours."
I looked up at the sound of the venomous voice that had just spoken, my stomach tightening.
Her eyes were glinting with mischief, and her pathetic mask was finally off. I rose to my feet, towering over her even though she was wearing at least three-inch heels while I wore flip-flops I'd slipped on in a hurry.
"It's actually pathetic, you know? That little stunt you threw earlier. Desperation really isn't a good look on you," I drawled, and she gritted her teeth, annoyance flashing in her eyes.
But that emotion vanished quickly and was replaced with a sickening smugness.
"Why should I be desperate? I have everything I want. Killian is wrapped around my fingers too. He just doesn't know it. How can he resist the mother of his child? My precious Rue will draw us even closer. I bet the flames of jealousy are already scorching you," she commented, and I rolled my eyes.
"Bullshit. You didn't even care about Rue a few hours ago. And now you suddenly care? You really should refine your strategies and your tacky acting. It's an eyesore."
She clenched her fist and turned towards the door.
"You've had your time with Rue. Enjoy it because soon, I'll make sure she doesn't even remember your face," she spat.
She was threatening me with Rue. Now that was suspicious in itself. Was there something she didn't want me to know? Something she was subtly rubbing in my face? I turned to look at Rue, taking hold of her hand. She stirred then, nuzzling her cheek against my arm.
"Mama?" She whispered, and my heart jolted in my chest. Arabella had gone still, her hand frozen on the door handle. Her head was slightly turned, as if she wasn't sure if she heard right. But I saw the flicker of panic in her eyes. She left without another word.
Rue's eyes fell open and met mine. Then she beamed at me. "Aunt Sera."
She looked around the room, a slight crease in her brows. "Where is Daddy? He was crying in my dream."
A lump lodged itself in my throat. Father and daughter. Of course they were connected.
"He'll be here soon, sugarplum," I whispered, brushing her curls away from her face.
That alone should've comforted me... but instead, it left me uneasy. What kind of mother was Arabella to this sweet child?
"I feel better, Aunt Sera. Don't be sad," she said, and I leaned over to press a kiss to her forehead.
"Want to go out to the garden?" I asked, and she nodded with a big grin on her face.
"I love flowers."
....
Rue's small hand was warm in mine as we stepped out of the ward. The hallway smelled strongly of antiseptic, but she skipped beside me as if we weren't in a hospital. Her curls bounced with every step, her tiny fingers clutching mine tightly.
It made my chest ache.
"I hope the flowers are still awake," she whispered, her voice tinged with hope. I smiled fondly, warmth flooding my insides.
"They'll wait for you, sugarplum," I said softly.
A scream tore through the hallway, startling the both of us. My body stiffened.
A wide-eyed woman who was covered in sweat was being wheeled in on a gurney. Her hands clutched her swollen belly as she wailed through the pain. Nurses were shouting, ordering people out of the way. Her cry echoed down the corridor, raw and terrifying.
And something clicked into place inside of me.
A sudden pain shot through my skull, and my vision blurred over. I gasped, stumbling as memories exploded behind my eyes.
The cold bite of steel against my back.
My legs trembling.
A guttural cry ripping from my throat.
My swollen belly.
Blood. So much blood.
Then... a cry. A baby's cry.
I couldn't breathe.
My knees buckled beneath me, the hallway spinning around me.
"Aunt Sera?" Rue's voice was full of fear. "Are you sick?"
Before I could collapse fully, strong arms caught me.
"Easy, I've got you," Ethan murmured, lowering me onto a bench. He crouched beside me, worry etched into every inch of his face.
"Are you okay?"
My mouth opened, but no words came.
"I saw something," I whispered hoarsely. "I... I was in labor. I was the one screaming. I remember it. I remember—"
Ethan leaned closer. "Sera, are you saying... did you just remember something? About a baby?"
I nodded, tears prickling behind my eyes, unsure if I was terrified or relieved. A baby had been removed from my body, alive.
Before Ethan could speak again, a small voice rang out.
"Daddy!" Rue squealed.
I turned my head just in time to see Killian at the far end of the hallway. His eyes locked onto Rue, wide and full of stunned disbelief as she ran towards him at full speed.
He dropped to one knee just as she launched herself into his arms. He caught her effortlessly, holding her against his chest, his face buried in her hair.
"I missed you," I heard her say.
Killian was silent, but I saw his jaw tremble. His eyes locked with mine over her shoulder, and I saw the fragile expression in his eyes.
Scooping her off her feet, he rose to his full height and approached us. There was a questioning look on his face now.
...
The evening sun was soft against my skin, the scent of roses hanging lightly in the breeze as Rue nestled in Killian's arms. We were sitting by the stone bench under a wide pergola laced with flowering vines. Everything felt peaceful, but I was yet to tell Killian about what I had recalled. What if even that memory was distorted because of how badly I wanted a child with Killian?
Right now, my husband was focused solely on his little girl. His thumb gently stroked her back in absent rhythm.
"How are you feeling, princess?" he asked.
"I feel better now, Daddy," she said, her eyes bright as she played with the buttons on his shirt. Then, almost proudly, she added, "I'm five now."
Killian chuckled softly. "Five, huh?"
Rue nodded, more firmly this time. "Yes. I'm five."
"I. Am. Five," she repeated again, each word punctuated.
I tilted my head, studying her small frame. She was so tiny. Her wrists were still chubby, her cheeks round with softness. But the way she spoke... was so articulate. Still, she was too small to be five.
Killian glanced at me. I could tell he was thinking the same thing.
But before either of us could speak, we heard the telltale sound of stilettos on pavement.
And there she was.
Arabella.
She strode towards us, her eyes locked on Killian.
"Well," she said with a poisonous smile on her face. "Look at the happy little family."
I didn't say a word. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.
She tilted her head towards Killian, ignoring me entirely.
"I hate to burst your bubble, but you really shouldn't get your hopes high."
Killian's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Arabella's grin widened. And then, from her designer bag, she pulled out a single folded sheet of paper.
She let it flutter through the air like a feather. It landed in my lap.
I unfolded it with trembling fingers and felt the ground disappear beneath me in an instant.
A marriage license application.
Killian's name was there, and it was signed along with Arabella's.
My breath quickened. "What... what is this?"
"Oh, it's official," Arabella cooed. "I filed it this morning. Killian didn't know, of course, he was a mess. He couldn't think straight. So, I made the decisions for him. Like I always do."
I suddenly couldn't breathe.
Arabella turned to look at Killian, all faux sweetness. "Don't worry, love. I already took care of everything. Rue deserves a family. A legal one. With married parents."
Killian shot to his feet, his voice low and lethal. "You forged my signature."
"No," she snapped, her mask slipping. "I protected you. From her. From this circus."
My heart plummeted into my stomach because this game? It was beginning to get a lot dirtier.