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“It’ll come. This hospital has the best doctors in the state.”
She couldn’t argue with his comment. “I know. But something would be nice. Is he in surgery? Are they doing tests? Is he even alive?” She’d never felt more helpless.
“He’s alive, so don’t think otherwise. They wouldn’t keep news like that from you.”
Yeah, he’s right, she reminded herself, raking a hand down her face. But her dad’s condition could change. Not everyone survived a heart attack, no matter how good the doctors. “This is my fault.”
“Don’t go there. You didn’t cause this.”
She wished she agreed. “If I’d called him back before we went away, he wouldn’t have come over tonight. Maybe we could’ve had a calmer discussion about Trevor. And if he hadn’t been waiting for me, he wouldn’t have found out about us.”
Her decision to not see Trevor had made him angry, but learning about her and Derek’s relationship had sent him over the edge. If Derek hadn’t been with her tonight, she might have been able to convince her dad to see reason regarding Trevor, then eventually tell him about her and Derek’s relationship when he was calm.
“Stop it. A lot of factors can cause heart attacks. I don’t believe a single argument is one of them.”
“Yeah, but stress is. Not going along with his plans stressed him out. I know it did.”
Next to her, Derek clenched his teeth, a clear indication he wanted to say something but was refraining. “Let’s not discuss blame. Is your mom driving herself from Greenwich?”
“She didn’t say. I’m not even sure she was at home when I called. You know her.”
They sat
in silence until the door opened twenty minutes later. Her mom swept into the room dressed in a cocktail dress with not a single hair out of place. The only outward signs she’d experienced any distressing news were her hands. Her normally manicured nails appeared as if she’d put them through a wood chipper.
“Mom, how did you get here so quickly?”
“When you called I was at a party in Bristol. The governor arranged a police escort for me.” She looked past Brooklyn toward Derek before meeting her eyes again. “Tell me what happened. Has a doctor given you an update?”
“He had a heart attack, but the doctors haven’t told me anything.”
“Yes, I know he had a heart attack. But what caused it? He skipped the governor’s party because he wanted to speak with you. He planned on waiting until you came home. I assume you two argued.” Her eyes darted toward Derek again. “Was Derek there when your father confronted you?”
“You knew he got the key from Milan?” By breaking into her apartment—maybe it was the wrong term since he had used a key, but still—he’d violated her trust. If her mom knew his plans, she should’ve tried to stop him.
Her mom didn’t even flinch at the question. “It was my idea to ask her if she still had it. But only after you never returned his calls. All of this could’ve been avoided if you’d called him back.” Pausing, she grabbed a tissue from the box on the table and dabbed her eyes. “And if Derek was there, I’m sure it only made the situation worse. You know how he feels about him.”
The guilt eating its way through her soul picked up speed. She’d already reached the same conclusion; she didn’t need her mom reminding her.
“Mrs. Novak, Brooklyn isn’t to blame for this.” Derek held her hand tightly, his thumb gently rubbing her palm.
Oh boy, wrong thing to say. Brooklyn appreciated Derek’s defense, but tonight she’d rather he kept silent on the matter.
When her dad got upset he yelled. Not her mom. She turned into a frost queen.
“And why are you here anyway?” Her mom’s voice could’ve turned Narragansett Bay into a skating rink. “If it was to keep Brooklyn company until I arrived, thank you. You can go now. This is a family matter.”
“Mom!”
“I’m here, Mrs. Novak, because Brooklyn’s my fiancée, and she needs me,” he said, his anger barely controlled. “When she leaves, I’ll leave. Until then, you’ll have to deal with it.”
Actual shock spread across her mom’s face, an occurrence Brooklyn hadn’t thought possible considering all the Botox she’d had injected over the years. “Impossible. Donovan intended on convincing her to give her relationship with Trevor another chance.” Her mom turned her full attention toward Brooklyn. “Your father warned you about getting involved with Derek. I know you’d never go against his wishes and agree to marry him.”
Before she could confirm or deny Derek’s statement, the door opened and an older gentleman wearing scrubs walked inside.
“Mrs. Novak?” the newcomer said. “I’m Dr. Gable. I’m here to give you an update on your husband.”
Chapter 13
