Chapter 12 IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME
Chapter 12 IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME
HAYLEY
I sit numb, half listening as Silvan speaks with one of the uniformed officers.
I don’t remember how I managed to call him, but he stormed into the hospital barely two minutes later, ready to take charge.
Apparently, he was already in Manhattan. He arrived two days ago for a business conference, but he wanted to surprise me.
“Someone found him shivering by the dumpsters in the heart of the city,” the officer says tiredly, “we assume he had walked all the way from their apartment building. He told the man that he was searching for his mother.”
I wince, my guilt twisting painfully in my chest as I bury my tear-soaked face in my hands.
“He’d been out there for over three hours in the pouring rain before he was found. The doctor’s report says he died from hypothermia. His nanny admitted that she was going through Mrs. DaSilva’s jewelry collection when he slipped out without her notice. She’s currently in custody.”
My shoulders tremble as I sob into Silvan’s hand kerchief.
My poor child.
I still can’t believe my Toby is gone. I’m praying every second that this is all just a terrible dream and I’ll wake up soon.
What will I tell Edward?
Moments later, I feel a hand on my shoulder and look up to find Silvan staring down at me, his green eyes clouded with grief.
“I spoke to the doctor. Toby will be taken to mortuary soon.”
My lungs seize, my heart splintering with so much pain, it feels like I’m going to die.
“It should’ve been me.” I whisper brokenly, “Take me and bring back my child, please. Please, God…”
Silvan goes on one knee and gathers my sobbing frame against his chest.
“Don’t say such terrible things, Hayley. Everything will be fine.”
I’m shaking so hard, my words are barely intelligible.
“I won’t be able to live, Silvan. I swear, I’m going to die. My son did nothing wrong.
I want him back. Please… I will do anything to have him back.
Tell God to give him back to me. I’m not ready to let go yet, how will I live without my son…?”
EDWARD
“Hello, am I speaking to Mr. Edward DaSilva?”
I frown, glancing at the unknown number one more time.
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
“I’m afraid so. My name is Doctor Claude. I’m calling from Vanderhall Medical Institute. Your son, Toby, was admitted three hours ago. Your presence is urgently needed.”
I shoot to my feet, my heart pumping painfully within my ribcage.
“What happened to Toby? Why was he admitted?”
The slight hesitation from the other end is enough to drive me crazy.
“He was diagnosed with hypothermia.”
What in the bloody hell?
I grip the phone so hard, I can feel the metal edges crinkle. Dread settles in my chest, making it almost difficult to breathe.
“How is that possible? My son was at home with his mother.”
“It’s a long story, sir. We’d appreciate it if you came as soon as possible.”
I pause, fighting to regain my composure.
“I need you to be very honest with me. Is my son alive?”
His hesitation tells me all I need to know.
The darkness I fought so fucking hard to keep hidden finally crawls to the surface in all its glory, sinking into my soul, contaminating my thoughts.
I fling my phone across the room, a roar tearing from my throat as it shatters against the brick walls.
This cannot be fucking happening. Toby cannot be dead. My son cannot be dead.
Grabbing my keys, I’m about to step outside when Victoria’s sashays into the office. Her shirt is scandalous enough to have the tops of her small boobs on full display. Right now, I’m not in the mood.
“Edward, there’s something you need to see…” her voice trails off when she notices my expression, her eyes spiking with alarm.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“Victoria, I am not in the mood.”
I try to walk past her but she grabs my arm. “There’s something you need to see.”
Before I can protest, she shoves a photo in my face.
It takes five whole seconds to decipher the bloody disaster in front of me.
I pluck it from her fingers, my blood already boiling.
“Isn’t this Hayley? Where did you get this?”
The picture shows Hayley and a man who seems oddly familiar, locked in what appears to be a tight, intimate embrace.
Rage coils in my guts as I drink in her expression.
She looks…content, so fucking peaceful in his arms. And it bloody kills me.
“Where did you get this?”
“Those pictures were taken tonight. Just a few hours ago.”
“That’s impossible. Hayley was in her apartment with Toby all night.”
I hate the sympathy in Victoria’s tone as she grabs my arm.
“I wish that was true, Edward. But she wasn’t. She left your son with a nanny and went out to meet her lover.”
Glancing at the man one more time, something niggles at the back of my mind.
His face is turned away, but I can’t help but notice that he looks strangely familiar.
Three seconds later, it clicks.
There’s only one man in my wife’s life with dirty blonde hair.
Fury scorches my lungs as I crush the photo in my grip.
Hayley’s lover is none other than her acclaimed best friend.
Silvan fucking Rourke.