Chapter 98 I missed you

Chapter 98 I missed you
Aurora left the police station with Derick, leaving Alec to do as he had promised. Getting back to the hospital, they met everyone where they had left them. 

“Aurora, welcome back.” Carter greeted, hugging her, before planting a peck on Derick’s lips. 

“How was it?” He asked, and Derick heaved a sigh. 

“It was Anita.” Derick uttered, and Theo scoffed. 

“I know it. That witch. When will she ever stop? After Mr. Arthur paid her to leave us the hell alone. She just wouldn’t listen.” Theo uttered in anger. 

“Paid her to leave? What are you talking about?” Aurora asked with her brows furrowed in confusion. 

“Yes. She came to the house after you left and Mr. Arthur was a total mess. She said he could give her a huge amount of money to make her disappear from our lives totally, and this included getting rid of the baby she claimed was his.” Theo explained, making Carter and Derick exchange looks. 

“How are we just knowing this? She probably used that money to fuel her next operation! Why would Arthur believe someone like her?” Derick asked in dismay. 

“You can’t blame him, Derick. Since Aurora left, he was never himself again. He went back to drinking. He wouldn’t think straight. He just wanted her gone.” Carter responded with empathy, turning to look at Arthur’s bed. 

“He went back to drinking?”  Aurora asked in shock, and Theo nodded. 

“He locked himself in his room for a few days, and didn't eat, nor did he see or talk to anyone. He was in there, drowning himself in alcohol. I got so mad about it and so did the boys. They believed he didn’t love them anymore, so I had to confront him when he eventually came out.”

“And did he change?” 

“Yes, he did. He hated the idea that his sons thought he didn’t genuinely love them. He made it up to them. Made lunch for the
 and even promised to take them on a trip. But… who would have thought he’d been spending days in the hospital.” 

Tears rolled down Aurora’s face as she stared at Arthur, listening to everything Theo was saying.  

She moved closer to his bed and sat on the chair next to him. He held his hand in hers as she planted a soft kiss on it. 

“I can’t wait for him to wake up. To tell him I’m here and he doesn’t have to worry anymore.” She mumbled tearily, and Carter embraced her from behind, trying to give her comfort. 

While they all remained silent, listening to Aurora weep and sniff silently, the door to the ward opened, and the doctor walked in. 

“Doctor.” Derick called, and they all looked in his direction. 

“Are there any updates?” Aurora asked, and he nodded. 

“Yes, there are. For your kids, they’ll be discharged the day after tomorrow.” He responded with a smile, and Aurora nodded, breathing out loud. 

“And Arthur?” She asked, and the doctor shifted his gaze to him. 

“Well, he’s been responding to treatments quite well. He’ll have to be here longer than the kids though.” He replied. 

“When will the bandage come off?” Theo asked. 

“Very soon, they were used so that the wounds on his face could feel faster. By evening, they should be off. But the cast on his leg remains. That would be on his leg for at least two months.”  He further explained. 

They all nodded, staring at Arthur. 

“Does that mean he has to be in the hospital for two months?” Aurora asked again. 

“Of course, not. Once he’s strong, he can be discharged. He just has to go easy on his leg. I’d advise him to use a wheelchair until he’s completely healed. Adding more pressure on his leg could cause more complications.” 

“Okay.” 

“I should leave now.” He added, turning to leave. 

“Thank you, Doctor.” Carter said as he exited the ward. 

“I feel so bad for him, Carter.” Aurora mumbled, tightening her grip on Arthur’s hand. “He doesn’t deserve this at all.” 

“No, he doesn’t. And I believe Anita will pay for what she has done.” 

“Of course, she will. There’s no way she’s going to escape the police.” Derick uttered. 

“You think? That girl is the most crazy girl I’ve ever seen. Do they have enough evidence though?” Theo asked, and Derick nodded. 

“Yes. All thanks to one Alec.” 

“Alec?” Carter asked, and Aurora looked at him. 

“Yes. The one from Jack’s restaurant. I’m not sure you know him. He has helped me so much.” Aurora explained. 

“How come he has evidence against Anita? Do they know each other?” 

“I’m not sure, Carter. We met him at the police station. He has a friend there. I think they must have talked about it.” 

“Can we trust him, though? I mean, he seemed pretty drawn to you from what I saw at the station.” Derick added. 

“What! Really? Does he like you?” Carter asked with a wide smile, and Aurora scoffed and rolled her eyes. 

“Carter, we are not making jokes like that when Arthur is unconscious.” She answered, and Carter laughed softly. 

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to lighten up the mood.” He responded, and she nodded knowingly. 

“I get it. And he liked me, but I told him it wasn’t going to work. I’m not sure what his feelings are anymore.” 

“Ohh. Arthur is here fighting for his life, and he has zero idea that he has a rival.” Theo muttered with a chuckle. 

“Stop! It’s not funny.” Aurora responded with a shy giggle. 

“Jokes apart though. I think he’s going to help us. But, we need to get across to Arthur’s lawyer. How could I forget that?” Derick answered, picking out his phone so he could reach out to Arthur’s lawyer. 

While he stepped out, Carter and Aurora exchanged funny looks, chuckling softly. 

“Oh God, I missed you so much. Teasing you about men? I missed that so much too.” 

“I miss you too, Carter. But please keep the teasing until later. We shouldn’t be talking about another man liking me right here, right now.” Aurora responded, and just when she turned to look at Arthur, she felt his hand slightly move in hers. 

Her eyes popped wide open and she moved closer to him to make sure she wasn’t just feeling things. 

“Arthur?” She called, staring expectedly at his eyes. 

“What? What happened?” Theo asked, moving closer to the bed too. 

Arthur’s eyes slowly opened and Aurora sprang to her feet when she saw this. 

“Call the doctor! Call the doctor!” She yelled, almost embracing him in excitement. 

“Arthur? Are you alright?” She asked, and he slightly tilted his head towards her direction. 

“Who…” He took a pause, causing her to crease her brows. 

“What?” She moved her ear to his mouth and nodded, telling him to repeat what he was trying to say. 

“Who… the… hell likes you?” Arthur uttered weakly, with jealousy very evident in his tone. 

“What?!” Aurora broke into laughter. “You heard us?” She asked, holding his hand in hers again. 

“That really caught… my attention.” Arthur replied in a low tone and they all broke into laughter. 

“Welcome back.” She uttered in almost a whisper and watched his lips slightly curve into a faint smile. 

“I missed you so much.” He tightened his hand in hers, and she nodded with tears dripping down her face. 

“I missed you so much.”