Chapter 101

Chapter 101
I sat by Crimson's bedside in the hospital, holding his hand tightly as he lay unconscious after his operation.

I knew he was strong, but the thought of losing him was too much to bear.

My phone rang, breaking the silence of the room. It was Sapphire, my stepsister.

“I need you to come to the police station. The officers want to talk to you to get your statement."

"I'll be right there," I sighed.

My eyes went to Crimson, and I fought back the tears. “I have to go,” I told him, pressing my lips to his forehead.

When I arrived at the police station, Sapphire was sitting in a small room, surrounded by police officers. She looked pale, perhaps because she had lost too much blood. But she seemed okay, and that was all that mattered.

Chief Dallas spotted me. He stood up and gestured for me to follow. In a separate room, he interrogated me about what happened in the warehouse.

I provided him with a detailed account.

The interrogation lasted an hour, and when it finally ended, I couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. I was so mentally and physically exhausted that I was surprised I didn't fall asleep during the questioning.

When I got out, Sapphire was already waiting for me.

“I have to return to the hospital,” I told her.

“No. You have to go home and look after yourself. You're moving like a zombie. Do you want to collapse from exhaustion?”

“But I don't want Crimson to be alone.”

"Liz, he won't be alone. His parents have been notified and are on their way to the hospital. They're probably already there.”

I nodded, realizing that Sapphire was right. I needed to take care of myself too. I'm pregnant, which is all the more reason I must look after myself first.

When I arrived back home, I collapsed into bed, feeling the weight of the day's events crashing down on me.

—

The next day, I received the news that Crimson had finally woken up. I decided not to visit him since I still wasn't ready to face him yet. I had become busy with the hotel and had no time to spare for anything else but paperwork and reports. Before I knew it, a week had passed. Crimson was finally discharged from the hospital, but we still hadn't seen each other.

The same day Crimson was discharged, my parents arrived from the airport along with my two brothers, Henry and David.

To make a long story short, they were all worried after hearing what happened and rushed to Flintstone City to check on mine and Sapphire's condition.

They were so angry about what had happened that I received more than an hour of lectures from the family for putting myself and my stepsister in danger. I knew I was the only one to blame, so I accepted every word they said. They were right, anyway.

The only thing that calmed them down was when I mentioned Cleo, my daughter.

I told them the whole story, and they seemed to understand. They completely accepted Cleo and were looking forward to meeting her.

“It's going to be your birthday soon,” Mom said when the storm calmed down.

I nodded. Time really flies so fast. It felt like yesterday when I had my birthday.

“This time we will celebrate it in the Queen's Courtyard for the first time.”

I agreed with her.

Before our conversation ended, Mom hugged me. “I just want you to always be safe and happy. Whatever your decision in life, I will always support you.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

—

In the blink of an eye, my birthday arrived.

Seated in front of the vanity mirror, my fingers clumsily fidgeted on my lap. Will I see him tonight?

We hadn't seen each other for a long time. Hopefully, tonight he will come.

Samantha had told me earlier, when she checked on me, that guests had started arriving. However, Crimson hadn't arrived yet. No one knew whether he would come or not.

A soft sigh escaped my lips. Just then, a knock sounded from the door, startling me.

"Come in."

I got up and turned to the door, waiting for the person to enter.

Sapphire walked in, dressed in a jaw-dropping dress.

“You're nervous?”

“I always am during occasions like this,” I confessed.

Truth be told, I'd rather spend my birthday with a small group of people, but as a businesswoman, I have to expand my social circles for more business opportunities.

“Don't be. Just look at you! How could you be nervous when you could start a national war with that beauty?”

“You flatter me too much.”

I swept my eyes over the mirror to check myself one last time.

“Smile, Liz… It's your night.” Sapphire placed an assuring hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be behind you to make sure everything goes fine.”

Her words comforted me. She knows exactly what to say to make me feel better. The stress nagging at me like an itchy insect bite eased. I gave her a smile.

My stepsister's dainty fingers brushed my hair, untangling strands that had fallen out of place. "Soft curls look amazing on you."

“Thanks.”

“Shall we go? Mom and Dad are waiting downstairs.”

I forced a bright smile onto my face, one that I had practiced and polished, before heading towards the door.

Mom and Dad both smiled when they looked at me.

“Did I just lay my eyes on a goddess?” Dad exclaimed, grinning proudly at me.

“You truly are the father of my sister. You both excel at flattery.”

Dad and Sapphire laughed.

“The guests are waiting. It's time to go downstairs,” Mom said, and we all agreed. Hooking my arms through theirs, we entered the grandiose banquet hall where the party was being held.

“Ladies and gentlemen, here comes the birthday celebrant, Elizabeth Everheart.”

The hustle and bustle stopped. Men and women alike turned to look at me. The orchestra started playing, filling the room with a pleasing sound.

“May I have the honor to dance with you?” Dad asked, extending his hand to me.

I smiled and placed my hand in his. “Of course, Dad.”

As the crowd parted, my father led me to the dance floor, where I placed my palm in his. At that moment, all my worries disappeared as we swayed together, lost in the music.

For a brief moment, I forgot that everyone else in the room existed.

"I can't believe it's been four years since we danced on your birthday," he said wistfully.

"I remember, Dad," I replied with a grimace. "I'll never forget how many times I accidentally stepped on your toes that night.”

His eyes twinkled at the memory. “Yes, but we still had a great time, didn't we?” he chuckled.

The memory made me smile uncontrollably. Even though there were some awkward moments, dancing with my dad was always a cherished experience. He might not be my biological father, but he's still my dad, and the greatest one at that.

“Are you happy tonight?” he asked softly after a calculated pause.

I was surprised by the question; it took me a moment to respond. "Of course, I am happy, Dad," I told him, and it was half true.

“If you say so, then I believe you are happy. All a father could ever wish for is for his daughter to be happy.”

The music ended. Father released my hand, but before he did, he left a tender kiss on my forehead. It's a simple gesture, but it filled my heart with joy.

My brother Louis made his way to me and asked for a dance. “My pleasure,” I replied, capturing his hand.

We twirled onto the dance floor, a wide grin spread across his face. "You're the most beautiful woman here tonight.”

A grin appeared on my lips too. "Do I? Or is it just because it's my birthday?" I teased him.

"You're always beautiful, big sister, but tonight you stand out among the rest.”

"Thank you. I won't argue with that."

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Henry, eagerly waiting for his turn to dance. A short while later, the dance ended and Henry took my hand.

“Happy Birthday, sister.”

“Thank you… I'm glad you were able to attend my birthday. Mom said you were busy.”

"Of course I wouldn't miss your birthday, sis. My youngest sister always comes first, no matter how busy things may get."

I felt a rush of affection for my brother. He is really sweet.

“You really are a sweet talker, Henry.”

He laughed. “Am I? Then why don't I have a girlfriend?”

I rolled my eyes. “Probably because you spend more time charming people with words than actually showing genuine interest in them.”

He tilted his head, considering my words. “You might have a point there.”

After Henry, my youngest sibling, David, took my hand.