73: Ten Steps Ahead
KILLIAN
The moment Sera's gaze met mine, I knew bad news awaited me. A lump lodged in my throat as I forced myself to breathe through the dizzying rage tainting my insides. Trembling, I moved over to her side, and she handed her phone over to me. And there she was. My baby girl. My lungs constricted, straining for air as all of the worst-case scenarios flooded my mind. I took a step away from her, my lips parted as fury detonated in my chest. I didn't need any confirmation. Matteo had taken my daughter. But why? Why would he drag my little princess into our feud? Why would he do this to me? She was just a baby. Matteo wasn't the petty type. How had he stooped so low?
My worst fears were beginning to come true, and now, I was losing myself. I could feel it. I could feel myself drowning in my rage and despair. Words were tumbling from my lips, but I couldn't hear them. Was this some sort of blackout?
Sera was speaking to me, but all I could hear was the pulse roaring in my ears as I stormed towards the exit of the hospital, my fingers fumbling for my phone in the pocket of my pants. Someone grabbed my bicep from behind, and I whirled to see Sera gazing up at me with tears in her eyes. She pulled me into her arms and held me so tight as if she was afraid that I would disappear. Slowly, the sound of her voice drifted to my ears, and I could finally make out her words.
"Breathe, Killian. Breathe. You're not thinking. That's exactly what he wants. Please, I'm begging you. Breathe, love. Breathe..."
She repeated those words over and over again until I was finally able to breathe. Just then, my phone vibrated in my hand. I blinked to clear the blur in my vision and saw that it was a text from Arabella.
'I've got her,' it said.
My eyes widened, and as if on cue, Arabella rushed towards us with my baby girl in her arms. Bruises and cuts marred Arabella's face, her eyes rimmed with tears.
Suddenly, my knees buckled. Sera held on to me on instinct, and then she turned to see what I was staring at, and she let out a sob.
"She's okay. I stopped them on time," Ara croaked, holding Rue closer to her body.
A nurse burst onto the scene, breathless, relief flashing across her face as she took Rue from her mother's arms with urgency. "Thank God! Bring her in now!" she shouted to her colleagues as she turned and sprinted down the hallway with Rue.
We all followed.
"Careful!" I barked as I chased after them, my voice thick with panic. Sera was beside me. Arabella behind.
In the ward, the nurse placed Rue on a bed, wires and IVs already being pulled into place. Another nurse began checking vitals as the heart monitor beeped to life.
Then... she stirred. Her small fingers twitched, her eyes fluttering open.
"D-Daddy...?" she mumbled, her voice so faint I nearly missed it.
My heart shattered. I took a trembling step forward. "I'm here, baby," I choked out from the sidelines, afraid to get too close. "Daddy's right here, Rue. You're safe now."
Her eyelids drooped. Her hand twitched again. And then... she was out.
I bit down on a sob that swelled on my chest, lowering my head as Sera placed a hand on my lower back to comfort me.
...
Several hours later, I was seated by Rue's bedside with Rafael by my side, his hand on my shoulder. Sera had gone in to donate her blood. And my mind was still spiraling from the horrors I'd felt earlier. My hands hadn't stopped shaking since then. I swallowed hard, closing my eyes. Rue wasn't safe around me. But I...I wanted to be in her life. I wanted to be the opposite of my father. I wanted to love and protect her. I wanted...
My thoughts trailed off as I dug the heel of my palm into my left eye.
"Killian, it's getting late. You should eat something, Rafael," my younger brother said, and I shook my head.
"I can't. I feel so sick right now. I don't think I can keep anything down," I said hoarsely.
"Rue wouldn't like that, you know? You look like a mess right now."
He didn't have to tell me. I felt like shit too.
"He's right. We will watch over her, boss. You should go home and freshen up," Roman said from where he stood with Ethan and a dozen of my men.
I gulped, rising to my feet. Letting out a shaky breath, I held Rue's hand and bent over to press a kiss to her knuckles.
"I'll be back, Rue," I croaked and turned away from the bed. Rafael followed closely behind me, and we left the private ward together. But the instant I stepped out, I felt the eyes on me.
Arabella.
She was waiting in the hallway, and when she saw me, she ran forward and threw her arms around me. Her sobs were loud, desperate, and unfiltered.
"We could've lost her," she wept into my chest. "Killian, we could've lost our daughter—"
I stood frozen to the spot. Disgust churned my stomach. This was a new tactic, I could tell. Sobbing and crying and throwing herself at me was out of character even for her. I bet she couldn't stand my relationship with Sera.
Coldly, I pushed her off me. She stumbled back a step, shocked.
And that's when I saw her.
Sera.
She was standing a few feet down the hallway, her arms wrapped around herself. And on her lips was a smile. It was undoubtedly not a joyful one. Not even a hopeful one.
It was painful.
I made a move towards her, but she shook her head, pointing towards Rue's ward.
"You look like hell. You should go. I'll stay," she rasped, and my stomach churned.
But I didn't want to fight, and I knew she really didn't want me pushing further. So, I left Arabella standing there and proceeded down the hallway with Rafael.
"Do you really think Arabella can be trusted?" My brother asked as soon as we stepped out of the hospital, where several of my men were waiting. They lowered their heads in greeting, and I raised a hand to acknowledge them.
"I saw it the moment she walked in with Rue. That bitch is toying with my emotions. She's playing mind games with me and trying to mess with my head," I said to Rafael as he opened the door to the back seat and joined me in the car.
"What do we do about her? As much as I'd like to protect Rue from that wench, Rue still needs her mother."
I closed my eyes, resting my head against the window as the car began to move.
"I have suspicions that make no sense. But I'm willing to bet on my instincts," I told him.
"What suspicions?" Rafa asked, his voice tense.
"Arabella isn't Rue's mother. Sera is. We need a DNA test."
He sucked in a sharp breath. "If that's the case, Sera's DNA test—"
I shook my head, opening my eyes. "That won't do. Knowing Arabella, she's probably ten steps ahead. And that's why she won't be expecting me to steal her own sample for a DNA test with my daughter."
Rafael's eyes widened in realization. "I see. The first goal is to prove that Arabella is an imposter."
I nodded.
"You should get some sleep. You stayed awake throughout the night. I'll wake you up when we get to the house," he said, and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.
The battle was growing bigger, and my foes were growing bolder. But I was Killian Cross. Their worst mistake was making an enemy out of me.