The Arranged Bride novel Chapter 28

Sophia's POV

Char was sitting beside me rubbing my back to soothe the pain but it was hurting so much.

I don't know for how long I was sitting outside the emergency room with my head on my hands when I heard Nick's voice. I raised my head to see him speaking to Leo. He didn't look at me and seemed so lost. I knew he was worried sick about Ethan.

After a few more minutes Mama, Papa and Erica came. I told Mama and Papa about what I saw. Narrating the incident was so freaking painful that fresh tears started rolling down my cheeks. Caleb came and stood beside Nick but he didn't speak.

Even after an hour , Nick didn't speak and I was starting to get worried. He wasn't showing any emotion and that was scaring me. So I got up to talk to him.

" Nick." I called but he didn't respond and only clenched his jaw .

" Nick." I called again and put a hand on his shoulder . He rudely shoved away my hand.

" Nick , atleast talk to me." I tried again.

" Talk to you ? What do you want to talk about? Ethan is there in the emergency unit and you want to talk ?" He snapped at me and I was really taken aback by his tone but I knew he was upset over the situation.

" Nick, don't." I heard Caleb warning Nick as if to not loose control.

" Nick calm down." I was being patient to him but this seemed to make him even angrier.

" Calm down? How the hell am I supposed to calm down ? My son is there fighting for his life. The doctors can't assure me of his state and you're asking me to bloody calm down? You wanted to talk right ? Let's do it. How about you tell me why you chose to speak privately to another guy when you were supposed to be with Ethan ? You were the one who took him to park , you only said that you can look after him , then why were you not there?" Was he blaming me? I left to speak to Brandon but I had made sure that Leo was there. I didn't.....

" Nick , just stop it now." Papa scolded Nick but it seemed more of a desperate plea.

" I should have known better than to trust you with my son." It felt like my heart was pricked with something too sharp. I looked at Nick to make sure that he said those words. When I saw a bit of guilt in his face , I knew it wasn't my imagination. He said it. I opened my mouth a few times only to

close it because words refused to come out. I felt so defeated. Nodding my head I walked away and stood at a distance from everyone. I needed some time to myself.

His words kept on ringing in my ears.

I should have known better than to trust you with my son.

His son .

You were the one who took him to park , you only said that you can look after him , then why were you not there?

It hurt but a small part of me was believing that I was the one responsible . It was already painful and this guilt was adding to the pain.

I hated him for making me feel like this. I know he was hurting but trust me or not , I was hurt as well. I too considered Ethan as my son .

I didn't look at anyone because the last thing I wanted to see was sympathy in their eyes for me.

Char came up and hugged me.

" Don't take that jerk seriously. " She whispered into my ears to which I just offered a faint smile.

After a few hours , a doctor came out.

" Doctor, how is he ?" Nick asked him. I too came up beside him.

" Mr. Carter, your son is fine now . He has a broken hand , some torn ligaments but the serious part was the injury head injury which caused some serious bleeding but now he is out of danger. He will regain consciousness soon." I was so relieved at this. Ethan was fine. My baby was fine.

" Can I see him?" Nick asked.

" He will be shifted soon and then you can see him but not more than two people can enter at a time."

" Thank you doctor." Caleb spoke .

.........

After Ethan was shifted to a cabin, Nick went in first. I wanted to go in as well but I didn't have the courage to. After Nick blamed me for all this , I knew that seeing Ethan lying on the hospital bed with different tubes attached will make it worse for me.

So I went and sat down. I felt someone sitting beside me but I didn't look up.

" Sophia" I looked at Mama, who was sitting beside me with sad eyes.

" Go in , don't you want to see Ethan?" She asked stroking my hair.

" Mama , I do but -"

" No buts. You consider Ethan as your son right ? Then nothing should stop you from seeing him after he went through such an accident. You are his mother and you should be there with him. Don't believe what Nick said. It's not your fault that Ethan is in this state today. " I felt like a child who was receiving lectures on self-confidence from her mother.

I chuckled at the thought and nodded.

" Yes , it's not my fault." I smiled at her and her stern eyes became soft.

I stood up and walked towards his room. When I was standing at the door, my hands were sweaty. I didn't know if I was prepared for what I was going to see. Convincing myself, I opened the door and walked in.

Nick turned to look at me but I didn't glance at him. Taking slow steps , I went and stood beside Ethan's bed. There he was lying with a bandage around his head. A number of tubes were attached to his small body. He looked so fragile that my heart clenched with agony . My poor baby!

I softly stroke his cheek and looked at his face for a few more minutes before the doctor arrived. He checked Ethan before speaking.

" Mr. Carter, Ethan's health is stable now but he has to stay here for a week or more than that but that depends on how well he recovers. If you want, one of you can stay the nights with him."

"Thank you doctor." Nick replied. After the doctor left, there was an uncomfortable silence between us.

" Uhh I will leave." I didn't wait for his answer. I closed the door behind me and went to where Char and Ryan were standing.

I saw Caleb staring at Char but she wasn't even looking his way and I knew why.

" Ryan, can you take me to your house? I don't wanna go home." I asked in small voice.

" Soph, you don't even need to ask. You're always welcome." Ryan said.

" Yes and besides we haven't properly talked for a while now. We need to catch-up." Char tried to lift my mood and I offered her a smile.

" Can we stop by my- Nick's place? I need to pack some essentials and then we can go."

" Sure . Do you want to leave now?" Ryan asked to which I nodded.

" I will let Mama know and then we can go." I said. I went to Mama and Papa who were sitting there.

" Mama , Papa , I will be leaving now. I don't think I will be allowed to stay the nights with Ethan alone . So I will be spending the whole day here. I am going to Char's house for now." I said.

" Yes , go and spend some days there. You will feel better." Mama said and Papa sadly smiled.

I hugged them and went out with Char and Ryan.

........

As I got into my room , I packed some pyjamas and casual clothes to visit the hospital. I knew I would be coming back as soon as Ethan is discharged to take care of him. I didn't want to stay here alone with Nick but I would never let our differences affect my child. So I was temporarily moving out.

While I kept packing, the tears began to flow freely. Just some hours ago everything was so perfect. We were having our breakfast like one happy family. And now, my poor baby was lying on the hospital bed , injured and Nick and I were not even talking.

Zipping the bag up, I made my way outside of the house to Ryan's car.

As the house faded from my view , I leaned back on the seat and closed my eyes.

I needed this break! I really did.