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They arrived at the hospital and more paparazzi rushed around them as they entered. A large television was on the wall in the lobby, and footage of the police restraining a man was playing. Colton couldn’t help but stare at the man who claimed to be his father. He had the same auburn hair and pointed nose Colton sported. He screamed at the police to let him go.
“I was robbed from being a father. What they did was illegal. I have parental rights, too,” he yelled.
Liz got done talking to the woman at the front counter and turned to Colton. “He’s in room 317.”
Colton tore his gaze away from the screen. “Thanks.”
Liz walked with him to the elevators. “Are you okay to go up alone? I don’t want to intrude on your family situation.”
“I’m okay. Thanks, Liz. For everything.” He impulsively gave her a hug.
She patted his arm. “Call me if you need anything.”
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Colton entered and pushed the button for the third floor. His stomach was in a knot as he waited for the elevator, and as soon as the doors opened, he was in the hallway searching for his father’s room.
He entered room 317. His father lay in bed, his arm and abdomen bandaged. “Dad,” he said as he approached.
His father reached out to him. “Colton. Where were you? I tried to call.” His voice was raspy and low. He’d never seen his father look so weak. His skin seemed too hollow and thin, like he’d aged in the last hour.
“I’m sorry.” He couldn’t tell his father he was with Remi. That would only incite another argument. “I’m here now,” he said, taking his father’s hand.
His father cringed as he shifted in the bed.
Colton’s chest constricted. “Do you need anything? Water?” He felt helpless just standing there looking at his father in pain.
“No. I’m okay.”
“What happened? Do you feel like talking?”
His father took a minute before responding. “He approached me as I was eating dinner. He was livid I hadn’t answered his messages or offered him money. I tried to calm him down, but he was past that. I didn’t see the knife until he came at me and slashed my arm.”
Colton swallowed as a sour taste filled his mouth. This could have been so much worse. His father could be in the morgue right now.
“Next thing I knew, he was lunging at me again. The knife went into my side. Punctured my kidney. That’s when the restaurant staff grabbed him and got him off me.”
“I heard you’re getting surgery. Do they think they can repair the damage?”
“Yes. They expect a full recovery.”
“Does Mom know?”
His father nodded. “Your mother is coming on the next flight out.”
Colton patted the back of his father’s hand. “Good.” He stood in silence for a moment while his father struggled to keep his eyes open.
“It’s okay, Dad. You can rest.”
“I want to tell you something.”
“What?”
His father once again took a slow blink. “I want you to know I never meant to hurt you. I love you, son. I would do anything for you. And I know you need me to step down as your manager. I will. I’m just happy I had the chance to be your father. I know I’m not the best with words. I yell too much. But know that no matter what, I’ll always be there for you.”
Colton’s throat swelled shut and his eyes pricked with tears. He struggled with what to say. When the right words wouldn’t come, he settled for something simple. “I love you, Dad.”
His father smiled and nodded before he closed his eyes again, and after a moment his breathing turned even and Colton squeezed his hand before letting go and allowing his father to sleep.
* * *
