Chapter 100 Coming home with me
Getting back to the hospital, they met Rachel, Aurora’s mother sitting next to Arthur on the bed. The kids also sat in the bed with Arthur.
Arthur sat up on the bed, his back resting against a pillow.
“You’re back,” Rachel uttered with a large smile as they all walked into the ward.
“Mom, when did you get here?” She asked, opening her hands so she could embrace her kids that eagerly climbed down the bed just to embrace her.
“About an hour ago. I was finally told you were around today, and I couldn’t wait one minute longer to see you. I got here and saw that you and the others have headed out.” She responded, and Aurora nodded.
“We went for Anita’s court hearing.” She uttered, moving closer to Arthur’s bed. She held his hand and smiled softly.
“How are you feeling now?” She asked, taking a glance at his wrapped leg which now laid on the bed.
“Better. I feel much better. Thank you.” He answered, and she nodded.
“I’m glad.”
“How was the hearing?” He asked, and Derick scoffed.
“That bitch got what she deserved. Twenty-five years imprisonment…”
“Twenty-five?” He asked in surprise, and they all nodded.
“Alec provided enough evidence. Of course she’d grow old there.” Carter answered with a chuckle.
“Alec?” The name rang a bell in Arthur’s ear, and they all nodded.
“You remember that my friend that once dropped me at Jack’s restaurant, the one you didn’t really like?”
He furrowed his brows and nodded slowly as he recalled. “Yes?”
“He’s the one that helped us get her the punishment she deserved. Fortunately, he happened to be Anita’s friend and had concrete evidence to use against her.”
“They were friends?” He further asked, and she bobbed.
“If they were friends, why would he just go against her?” He further inquired, and Carter scoffed.
“Maybe because he’s trying all he can to be with your woman.” He muttered.
“Carter.” Everyone, except Arthur, called.
“What? I’m just stating the truth. Who knows, maybe Anita has done some cruel things to him too.” Carter further added.
“I’d love to see him, though. I’d love to talk to him.” Arthur responded.
“That will be after you’re discharged, okay? For now, you shouldn’t worry about that. Anita is in prison now. She wouldn’t bother us anymore.” Aurora uttered, slowly caressing Arthur’s hand.
“Okay. Can you please ask when I’ll be discharged? I can’t wait to get the hell out of here.” Arthur mumbled, shaking his head in frustration.
“You’ll have to calm down, friend. You won’t be leaving here until you’re better than this. So, get used to this place.” Derick teased, and Arthur scoffed.
“Aurora, can I talk to you for a minute?” Rachel asked, and she turned her head to look at her. “Outside.” She added and stood up.
Aurora also stood up and let go of Arthur’s hand. “I’ll be back soon.” She said as she also headed out of the ward.
Getting to the hallway, she saw her mother sitting on one of the chairs that were arranged there.
“What is it, Mom?” She asked as she sat next to her.
“It’s nothing much. I just want us to talk about Arthur and the kids.”
“What about them?” She asked.
“What are you going to do after Arthur gets discharged? Are you going to go back to his house as his woman?” Rachel asked.
“I don’t know, Mom. I haven’t thought about it at all. All I want now is that he gets better. Why are you asking?” Aurora answered.
“I’m asking because I want to know your plans for him and the kids. Are you going to disappear again?”
Aurora heaved a sigh and shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t think I can just leave when he’s in this condition. And my kids? I don’t think I want to be away from them anymore.”
“Well, that’s good. Because Arthur doesn’t want to lose you either.” Rachel answered.
“And how do you know that? He told you?”
“Yes, he did. He’s scared you’re going to leave him again. He said he wishes for this moment not to end because maybe this is the only time you’d be so sweet to him and hold his hand. He believes once he’s out of here and back on his feet, you’d disappear again.”
“But why would he think that?”
“Because he hurt you, and he is aware that he hurt you. He knows he doesn’t deserve you or your forgiveness, but let me tell you this, Aurora, he wasn’t conscious when Anita slept with him. He had no idea.” Rachel added, and Aurora bobbed.
“I know. He said that too.”
“You should believe him. Anita is the devil here, not him. And she’s now out of your lives for good. I’m saying this because I’ve seen how happy you are anytime you’re with them. They are your family, Aurora. You can’t turn away from them.
“I was talking to the boys and they told me all they want is that you come back home and live with them. They said, ‘Daddy has been so sad since she left. I know once she comes back, daddy will be the happiest man in the world.’ Your kids are so sure of this, Aurora.”
Tears filled Aurora’s eyes as she listened to her mother. Since the incident, it had never crossed her mind to leave them anymore. She realized they needed each other to survive.
All her days in Italy were nothing close to happiness, even though she kept telling herself she’d be happy without Arthur.
“I’m not leaving, Mom. It’s not going to happen again. I’ll stay here and fight for the man I love, for the family I cherish so much.” She mumbled, cleaning her teary eyes.
Rachel nodded as she was also moved by emotions. “There is one thing I’ve always been grateful for, and that is, you not being like me. I was a terrible wife to your father and a horrible mother to you. I’m so happy you’re very different from me. Your family is so lucky to have you.”
Saying this, Rachel embraced Aurora from the side as they both wept quietly.
Just then, a nurse approached them, causing them to stop what they were doing.
“I was told to inform you that Mr. Arthur is discharged now. He’s strong enough to return home. Although, he’d need a wheelchair for now, until he’s leg is fully healed.” She uttered, and instantly, happiness filled Aurora.
“Really?” She sprang to her feet and led the nurse into the ward. “She just told me that Arthur is discharged!” She uttered happily, and they all cheered.
“Finally. Looks like your prayers were heard, Arthur.” Derick teased again.
“He will be needing a wheelchair though.” The nurse added, and Derick nodded.
“That shouldn’t be a problem. We can get one from the hospital, right?”
“Of course, sir. Please come with me.” She said to Derick, and he nodded. He went out of the ward with her, and Aurora moved closer to Arthur’s bed again.
“Finally.” She uttered, reaching for his hand.
“You’re coming home with me, right?” He asked, and Aurora smiled faintly and nodded.
“You are?” He asked again, excitement evident in his voice.
“Yes, I am.” She answered, and to her greatest surprise, she saw his eyes water.
“I’ll never ever hurt you again. Never.” He mumbled, and Aurora nodded with tears in her eyes.
“I know…. I know you won’t.”