Chapter 28: Ariel's arrival.

Lilith’s POV

The following morning, I was already awake and dressed before Jayden even woke up. Through the night, I barely got some sleep as all I could think of was Ariel finally coming to join me here. Even though she was still recovering, I couldn’t wait to see her and keep her company for however long was needed.

When I was ready and Jayden was still sleeping, I began to walk around the room and move things that didn't need moving. I yawned loudly, coughed loudly and even breathed loudly until he finally woke up.

He knew I was being noisy on purpose but he didn’t say a word. He only gave me a hard stare before going to the bathroom to get ready.

About thirty minutes later, Jayden was dressed in a grey suit that made his blue eyes look more piercing. His hair was perfectly styled as always, making him look handsome.

But I didn’t admire him. He was an asshole.

After fixing his look in the large mirror one last time, he finally spoke up. “The doctor has been informed and the medical transport is already on its way to Kensington," he said loudly as he adjusted his cufflinks. "Try to keep your emotions in check, Lilith. We are bringing a patient home, not hosting a parade."

I ignored his biting tone and hummed happily to myself. I was too happy to let him get under my skin today. Not today, Satan.

When we were set to leave, we walked downstairs together with his arms around me as usual.

The drive to the hospital was quick and silent but I didn’t mind. When we arrived, the private security Jayden had hired was already stationed at the entrances, their eyes scanning the whole place for any sign of anything unusual.

Seeing these men here for my sister was touching, coupled with the fact that Jayden didn’t even tell me about it. He did it willingly.

But I didn’t have time to thank him. I hurried inside the hospital and headed straight for Ariel’s room. I pulled the door open, only to meet an empty room. I was about to raise an alarm when a nurse notified me that Ariel had been moved to a different section. The bio section.

I followed her and she led me to the other side of the hospital, which was truly more secure. Visitors weren’t allowed and the nurses showed their IDs before they were granted access inside.

When we got to Ariel’s room, my heart soared when I saw her sitting up in bed, looking way better than how she had looked a few days ago. She also had more color in her cheeks than the day before.

“Lilith,” she said, her eyes lighting up as she saw me.

“Ariel!” I squealed, rushing to her side. I pulled her into a hug as I heaved a sigh of relief. Seeing her fine again was all I ever lived for.

When we finally pulled apart and I stared into her sincere eyes, everything felt complete. Suddenly, regardless of how bad or how harsh Jayden treated me, I didn’t care how fake I had to practice to become Celine. Having her in my arms made me feel complete.

“I thought you weren’t coming back for me, Lilith,” she said, looking me over.

“No, pumpkin, I was out getting a better place for us,” I said, placing a soft kiss on her forehead as I brushed her hair with my fingers. She looked really better.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Jayden walk into the room but I didn’t acknowledge him.

“Your dress is nice,” she said with a giggle and for the first time in weeks, I burst into a genuine laugh. Not the type I had to control because I needed to sound like Celine, but the type that I used to let out while playing with Ariel.

“God, I’ve missed you,” I groaned, pulling her into a hug again.

“I missed you too, sissy,” Ariel replied in a small voice. Although she was still weak, I knew it could only get better from now on.

"We are going home, Bee," I whispered, leaning down to kiss her hair.

"Home?" she asked. "To our apartment?"

I felt a pang of guilt, but I smoothed it over with a smile. "No, to a much bigger house. A beautiful place with a garden and a room just for you. You are going to have the best doctors waiting to take good care of you."

“If you’re done, we can have her moved,” I heard Jayden say coldly, his voice breaking the moment. I looked at him and nodded, before looking back at Ariel.

“You’re going to be moved now, okay?” I said and Ariel nodded as she lay back in her bed tiredly.

Ariel was moved later on. Through it all, Jayden did not speak to me but I saw his eyes darting toward the exits every few seconds, checking for any sign of Derek or the press.

As expected, I stayed with Ariel in the ambulance. She fell asleep shortly and the ride back to the estate was smooth as Jayden’s car drove in front of us, while his guards followed us from the back.

When we finally pulled back into the estate, I directed the medical team to the room I had chosen earlier that morning.

The room was already transformed with a hospital bed, monitors that hummed in the empty room and an armchair that was for visitors, which would be me.

I watched as the nurses settled Ariel into the bed, hooking up her IVs and checking her vitals.

Nothing was certain yet, but she looked safe and for the first time since this nightmare began, I felt like I could actually draw a full breath.

Jayden stood in the doorway, his hands in his pockets, watching the scene with a blank expression. Feeling a wave of emotion for his efforts to see Ariel okay, I walked up to him to show gratitude.

"Thank you, Jayden," I said, my voice thick with genuine emotion. "I know you say this is just business, but thank you for bringing her here. It means everything to me to have her close."

"Don't get sentimental, Lilith," he said, his voice cold. "I didn't do this for you. I did it because your sister was a security risk at the hospital. If she is here, I can control the flow of information. It is a tactical move, nothing more."

The warmth in my chest died instantly, replaced by a familiar, sharp sting of rejection. I took a step back as my eyes hardened.

"You really can't just be a decent person for one minute, can you?" I snapped in irritation.

"Being a decent person doesn't win elections," he returned as he checked his watch. "The doctor will be here soon and you have work to do. I expect you to finish studying the Larks' home soon.”

He didn’t give me a chance to lash out at him. He turned on his heels and walked off, leaving me seething in rage.