Tears well up in her eyes as she looks down. “She had surgery yesterday, but she’s in an induced coma.” Her voice wobbles. “The next twenty-four hours are critical.”
“I’m so sorry, Ivy.”
She offers me a sad smile. “Ash is struggling. She and Taylor are close.” Her eyes meet mine, filled with quiet warning. “Please don’t hurt her again.”
The word ‘again’ stings, and I shake my head. “I won’t,” I promise.
She nods. “I should go. I have to get to work. Bye, Ben.”
“Bye, Ivy.”
I watch her leave before heading toward the elevator. Nerves twist in my stomach as I ride up to the third floor. She won’t expect me to show up, and with everything going on, I’m unsure how I’ll be received.
When the elevator doors open, I scan the hallway and follow the signs to the relatives' waiting area. I turn a corner, and my breath catches when I spot Ashlyn pacing the small space. She’s dressed in yoga pants and a sweater, and even from here, I can see her eyes are red and swollen from crying. A few people are seated in the small area, including one of her brothers and his partner. There's also a pregnant woman and an older couple, who I assume are her parents. My gaze locks on Ashlyn again, and her eyes widen in surprise when she sees me.
“Ben,” she says. “What are you doing here?”
Everyone in the waiting area turns to look at me, but I focus on Ashlyn. I wait to answer her until she’s standing in front of me, though, not wanting her whole family to hear our conversation.
“I heard what happened. I’m so sorry, Ash. I wanted to check you were okay.”
She bursts into tears, and I instinctively reach for her, tugging her gently against my chest as I wrap her in my arms. She comes willingly, winding her arms around my waist and sagging against me as she sobs.
“Please don’t cry, baby,” I whisper into her hair, holding her tighter.
As I hold her, I chance a look over her shoulder, seeing that her brother is glaring at me. She’d mentioned her brothers were fiercely protective of her. I guess she wasn’t exaggerating. Right now, I don’t care. Ash needs me, and that’s more important than what her brother thinks.
After a few minutes, her sobs subside and she lifts her head, her eyes finding mine. I hold her stare. She’s so beautiful, even with red, puffy eyes.
“Thank you for coming,” she whispers. “I really needed that hug.”
“When Kat told me what had happened, I had to see you.”
“How did you know where to find me?”
“I saw Ivy in the ED. She told me where you were.”
She nods before stepping out of my embrace, and my arms reluctantly fall away. I wish I could keep her close. It hurts to see her in tears.
“Come and sit down. We’re just waiting for Seb. He’s with the doctors now.”
“I don’t want to intrude,” I say, feeling hesitant.
She bites her bottom lip. “I know we’re not in the best place right now, but I’d like you to stay.”
I nod and take her hand, gently intertwining our fingers. “Then I’ll stay.”
She leads me to where everyone is sitting, guiding me to sit next to her. She gestures to her brother. “You remember my brother Nash and his fiancée, Paisley?” she says, and I nod. “And Sophie, Cade’s wife. Cade’s in with Seb,” she explains. “Theseare my parents, Tessa and Henry.” She motions toward the older couple sitting across from us. “This is Ben.”
I look at each of them, giving them a small smile, trying not to notice that Nash is grimacing at me.
“Hello, Ben,” Tessa says, her eyes dropping to our joined hands. “How did you and Ashlyn meet?”
“Ben’s my boss. He’s the school principal,” Ashlyn explains.
“I’m sorry about Taylor,” I offer, even though no words feel like enough.
“I still can’t believe it,” Paisley says, her voice breaking. Nash wraps his arm around her and pulls her against him.
