Chapter 100: Chapter 100: Blood Ties and Breaking Points
GARRISON’S POV
I sat beside Martha’s hospital bed and watched her face carefully. The color had started returning to her cheeks after the proper meal, but tension returned the moment her relatives crowded the room. Her uncle stood too close to the bed with that fake concern plastered across his face. Her cousin and aunt hovered behind him, nodding along like trained puppets. I kept my hand near hers under the blanket, ready to step in if she needed me.
Martha straightened against the pillows and fixed her uncle with a steady gaze. “That doesn’t answer my question. Why are you here? I warned all of you to stay away from me the last time you came to cause trouble. I made it very clear the last time you showed up at our house. Yet you keep pushing your way back into my life. I think it is time I file a restraining order so you can finally understand that I want nothing to do with any of you.”
Her uncle spread his hands in a pleading gesture. “Martha, you can’t say that to us. Remember we are your only family. Your blood. Besides, you need us now more than ever. You are pregnant and vulnerable after everything you have been through. Let us support you through this difficult time.”
Her aunt chimed in quickly. “Exactly. You know better than anyone that family sticks together when things get hard. We can help with the baby once it comes. I can move in with you to help you understand what motherhood looks like. You should not have to do this alone.”
Martha let out a sharp laugh that held no humor. “I’m sorry Aunt, but that isn’t happening. You can’t just act like you care now. Where were you when I begged for help against Nicholas? Where were you during the two miscarriages I suffered before this pregnancy? I handled all of that pain without a single word from any of you. I am certain I can manage this pregnancy just fine. Besides, I am not alone. I have a man who actually cares about me and shows up when it matters.”
I watched her shoulders rise and fall with each breath. Pride filled my chest at how clearly she spoke, but I also saw the exhaustion creeping back into her eyes. These people drained her energy just by standing there. I had heard enough.
I stood up slowly, keeping my voice level but firm. “All of you need to leave. I will not watch my wife exhaust herself screaming at you to get out. She has made her wishes clear multiple times. It’s best if you respect them.”
Her uncle turned to me with narrowed eyes. “This is a family matter, Mr. Donovan. With all due respect you have no right to interfere between blood relatives.”
I met his gaze without flinching. “I know exactly why you are here, George Whitmore. Violet Hampton gave you our address and filled your heads with stories about the benefits Martha stands to gain as my wife and the mother of my child. You smell money and opportunity. That is the only reason you suddenly care about family. Believe me when I say that I am not bluffing about that restraining order my wife talked about. Leave now or I will have security remove you and start the paperwork today.”
Her aunt exchanged nervous glances with her cousin, Lily. Her uncle’s face reddened. “Martha, please. Forgive us. We are your only real family. Think of the baby. It deserves to know its grandparents, its cousins. Do not shut us out completely.”
Martha shook her head. “I already have a family. My family is this unborn child and Garrison Donovan. The rest of the Whitmore have never been part of that ever since my parents died. Now leave.”
I picked up the phone on the side table and pressed the button for hospital security. “I need security in room 412. We have unwanted visitors who refuse to leave.”
Two uniformed guards arrived within minutes. They took one look at the scene and positioned themselves between the relatives and the bed. Her uncle tried to protest, but the guards escorted them firmly toward the door. The cousins shot desperate looks over their shoulders as they were guided out. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving the room suddenly quiet again.
I sat back down and let out a long breath. “They will not bother you here anymore. But I have been thinking. We should transfer you to another hospital. This one is not secure enough after everything that has happened. Too many people know the location. I want you somewhere safer while you finish recovering.”
Martha reached for my hand. Her fingers felt warm but still too thin. “I like it here. The doctors know my case. The nurses are kind. My family should not be the reason we disrupt everything and move. I am finally starting to feel stable in this room. Let us stay.”
I searched her face for any sign of doubt. She looked tired but determined. “Are you sure? I can arrange a private wing somewhere else by this afternoon. No risk of surprise visits.”
She nodded firmly. “Yes. I am sure. This bed, this window, even the terrible hospital food schedule has become familiar. I want to stay put and focus on getting stronger. Not on running from them again.”
I squeezed her hand gently. “Then we stay. I will make sure security logs every visitor from now on. No one gets in without clearance.”
We sat together in comfortable silence for a while. I adjusted the blanket over her legs and made sure the IV pole stayed clear of her reach. She sipped water from the cup I held for her. Small routines that grounded both of us after the chaos of the past days. I could still see the faint bruises on her wrists from the ropes Henry had used. The sight made my jaw tighten, but I kept my expression calm for her sake.
My phone rang on the side table. Elias’s name flashed across the screen. I answered it quickly, keeping my voice low.
“Elias, what is the latest?”
His tone came through clipped and professional. “Henry is being processed for court. The charges are solid. Poisoning, kidnapping, assault. But there is commotion behind the scenes about whether he should appear in person or if some procedural loophole will let him delay or avoid a public hearing altogether. Connections are being pulled at high levels. It looks like someone with serious judicial influence is trying to shield him from immediate proceedings.”
I knew exactly who that someone was. Violet. She still held sway in certain circles and clearly wanted to protect the man who had discarded her. The thought turned my stomach, but I kept my reaction measured.
“Keep pushing on our end,” I said. “Make sure every piece of evidence is ironclad. I want no delays that let him slip through the cracks. Update me the moment anything changes.”
I ended the call and set the phone down. Martha watched me closely. I did not need to explain the details yet. She had endured enough today. Instead I picked up the remote and found a light documentary about travel destinations, something far removed from news or family drama. She settled back against the pillows and I stayed right beside her, guarding the peace we had managed to carve out in this sterile room.