Chapter 66 The Doll with Blinking Eyes
Darcy's POV
The room is silent but uneasiness settles heavily in the air. Hazel is sleeping on her bed. Seeing her at peace should make me feel better.
But for an unknown reason, I can't seem to shake off the sick feeling. I rub my arm as goosebumps covers my skin.
I don't buy Adrian's story of going to the company. I know too well to be able to tell when he's lying.
But I can't bring myself to get mad at him, especially since I know the reason for his action.
He's definitely hiding something. I know he's worried about Hazel and me. If only my body didn't break down, I should be helping him out.
He doesn't want me to worry and I appreciate his efforts. However, it will break me more if he gets hurt while protecting us.
Adrian despite his wealth and power, doesn't have an easy life. Whenever we enjoy a bit of happiness, a much bigger problem always crawl out.
Before he left, I can see how disorganized he is. With me, he usually is like an open book. Never hiding behind any mask but now, things have changed.
With everything happening, I get to see a different side to him. One that he rarely shows. Calculating. Cautious.
For now, I can't say if there are other sides that I haven't seen yet. But which ever side he brings I'm willing to support him.
The anger, hidden behind the mask of hurt is way too much to be completely covered.
I lower my gaze to look at my hands. Images of us holding hands flashes through my mind. His palms were cold and trembly.
Just when I finally have a home, and people to call family, new threats continuously arise to tear us apart.
Tears sting my eyes. I need to know where he is and what he's up to.
I pick up my phone from the chair and dial his number but it's currently unavailable. I try over and over again.
I straighten my back. My lips quiver and my breath becomes shallow.
What's going on? Why isn't he answering?
"Julius!" I shout.
Hazel whimpers as she jolts but doesn't wake up.
The door opens and he walks in. "You called me, ma'am."
I nod, swallowing the big lump in my throat. "Did your boss tell you where he's going?" My eyes widen, looking at him expectedly.
He shakes his head, "no. He didn't mention anything about his destination or movement."
My shoulder slumps in defeat.
I bury my face in my hands and groan. From the corner of my eyes I see fresh blood stain on the side of his grey shirt.
I bite my inner cheek to stop me from asking. Since he returned with the food, Julius hasn't left the hospital, so he must have gotten injured on his way back here.
"You're bleeding, Julius" I informed him and he looks at the spot immediately. The corners of his lips curve into a nervous smile.
Discreetly, he covers the stained spot with his hand. "It's nothing ma." He shrugs causally.
"Really? Listen, I have no time for more lies and I want you to tell me the truth and say it now." I grit.
"I was followed by a unknown car. To avoid the person, I exceeded the speed limit. Unfortunately, a truck crashed into the car I was driving."
His words hit me with full force
I fold my hands together, digging my nails into my skin. Shifting uncomfortably as the pain sear through my body.
An unknown car.
They're not stopping any time soon.
"If I may add, I don't think they know the hospital you're staying. So they want to lure you out." He says.
That makes absolute sense.
The Carlton's are not weak too. It's impossible that they don't know of a the hospitals in the state.
"How hidden is this hospital?" I raise my head to look at him.
"Within internal referrals, it's impossible to know about this hospital, talk less of getting treatment here."
Adrian brought me here personally. It's either he's just an A-list client or...
"Boss owns this facility." Julius voices out my thoughts.
My brain goes numb. The information is too much for me to handle.
"You can go," I dismiss him quietly.
Adrian owns an hospital. But when I took Hazel to Jayden's hospital, he did not argue nor tell me.
I lean against the wall, and let my thought spiral.
My first impression of the Carlton family is cunning but reckless.
Deep down, I don't believe that everything is solely their doing. Whoever the mastermind is not only smart but cruel.
I freeze and my eyes widen almost popping out of its sockets. According to Julius, a car was following him. It's normal for Julius to go on errands but why were they suspicious enough to follow him?
It goes both ways. Either they finally lose their grip on us and don't know the situation of things or there's a spy that inform them that I'm at the hospital.
But Adrian made sure to carry out proper background check on everyone that works for him.
I shake my head. It's impossible.
There are other ways, the mastermind is getting information and the earlier we find out the better.
I press the toy absentmindedly, brainstorming how I will help Adrian and turn the situation around.
A knock lands on the door disrupting my train of thought. The suddenness makes me jump a bit.
I blink rapidly and readjust my hospital gown.
"Come in."
The door creaks open and an older doctor walks in with a nurse behind him.
"How are you feeling today, Mrs. Ashford?" He asks with a calm voice.
Mrs. Ashford?
Why would he call me that? Unless, Adrian didn't correct him.
He wants it that way.
I open my mouth to talk but the words somehow goes missing.
"Mrs. Ashford?" He calls again and I shift my head to look at him.
The corners of my lips tug into small smile, "very well. Thank you."
"I'm glad you're awake. Mr. Ashford can finally be at ease." He says. "Do you feel any discomfort?"
"Aside from the tiredness, I'm okay," I reply.
I watch as he jots down what I said. "You'll still have to stay here for a few more days, that way, we can observe you and follow up with your recuperation."
"That's fine by me."
He turns to leave but stops immediately. "Lest I forget, don't put your body under any form of pressure or stress. Be it physical or emotional."
He adds, "Mr. Ashford will not allow you to engage in strenuous physical activities. But overthinking also means overworking your brain. Be careful not to trigger another attack."
With that, he leaves and I'm alone with my thoughts. He's right but the problem is how can I make myself not think?
Barely few things makes sense. Secrets has become a norm and if we're ever going to leave our lives freely, these sacrifices needs to be made.
My thoughts continue to wander and there's nothing I can do to stop it. I take Hazel's stuffed doll and place it on my stomach.
Maybe I should stop thinking for a moment breathe. I raise the doll to look at it properly.
I smirk a bit. The doll resembles Hazel. Chubby cheeks and bright eyes.
However, my smile slowly disappears and my forehead crease into a frown and I tilt my head in confusion.
I rub my eyes well and still the same thing. The doll's eyes are blinking red light.
I grip the doll harder. My heartbeat picks up the pace.
Is it what I think it is?