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"Thank you,"she finally gives in, saying it in a low and anguished tone. I pull her close to me, and as she cries, I can feel every bit of anxiety and turmoil that she's going through. It's as if I'm absorbing her pain, and it stirs up a mix of emotions within me.
In this pivotal moment, as Robyn and I sit together, our connection is facing its toughest test yet. It was built amidst secrets and unspoken truths, and now we're confronted with the need for honesty and understanding. I realize I must confront the implications of my hidden life, the privilege and wealth that have shielded me from the struggles Robyn has faced.
On her part, Robyn must grapple with her feelings for me. I've become her unexpected savior, someone who has shown her a world she never knew existed. It's a clash of two worlds, and her heart is torn between gratitude for my support and the fear of getting entangled in a life she's unfamiliar with.
As Robyn pours out her emotions, confessing her actions, her words are trembling with a mixture of anxiety and guilt. She begins,"It was the last thing that I wanted to do, Knox. I promise you, counting cards and stealing from Forrester Casino?—"
I interrupt her gently, realizing that she's on the verge of reliving the painful details of her actions."Robyn, you don't have to explain any of that to me right now,"I say, my voice soft and understanding."I get it. Right now, the main focus is to worry about your sister and that she gets the best possible care so we can get to the other side of this. Is that fair?"
Robyn's eyes, brimming with tears, meet mine as she searches for something in my gaze—an understanding, perhaps, or a sign of compassion.“Why are you doing this for me?”She's surprised by my response.“I’m not used to this level of empathy from someone I barely know… Especially after?—”
Her lips part to say something more, to express her gratitude or delve deeper into her feelings, but I cut her off with my reassuring words, wanting to shield her from the pain of revisiting her recent actions.
"I’m doing this because I care about you,"I say softly, my confession hanging in the air. I want to be a source of support for her, to show her there are people who genuinely care.
I hand her the cloth bag that Mrs. McGee sent, filled with her clothing.“Here, Mrs. McGee asked me to give you this. Thought you might be comfortable in this instead of a cocktail dress,”I say, my gaze roaming over her, remembering what lies beneath. My body stirs with the memory, and I clear my throat and look away, suggesting she change in the restroom while I go get us some coffee and food for us. She nods in agreement, and I take her hand, helping her to her feet. As she walks away toward the bathroom, my cell phone buzzes in my pocket. I check the caller ID and immediately feel a sense of dread.
"Hello, Mother,"I answer, knowing this conversation will not end well.
Chapter Twelve
Robyn
After changing into comfortable clothes, I exit the restroom, feeling mixed emotions. The soft, fluffy sweater Mrs. McGee sent makes me feel a bit more at ease. I quickly scrub my face free of makeup and tie my hair back into a ponytail, trying to regain some semblance of normalcy.
As I step into the hallway of the children's hospital, I look up and down the hallway, searching for Knox. However, he seems to have disappeared, leaving me with conflicting feelings. Part of me hopes he hasn't left yet, wanting to see him again, but another part wishes he had gone because I now feel uncomfortable, knowing he has taken on the responsibility of paying for Anika's medical bills.
The social worker assured me not to worry, saying it was taken care of, but I can't help but wonder how far that generosity extends. Will there be strings attached or a hidden price tag? We haven't addressed the card counting incident or the deeper conversations we need to have, like the fact Knox has been less than truthful about his real identity and his immense wealth for the past month and a half. I knew he had money from his high-stakes gambling, but I had no idea he owned the casino. The thought of facing my boss after all of this is embarrassing, and I fear the consequences for my job.
Knox's mention of Mrs. McGee and visiting my house also raises concerns. He must have gotten my address from HR, which likely means my job is in jeopardy come Monday. But for now, I push these worries aside. My focus needs to be on Anika's well-being. I can deal with the complexities of my relationship with Knox later.
Approaching my sister's room, I fall back slightly and peek around the corner. The sound of Anika's laughter reaches my ears, a sound I haven't heard in far too long. It warms my heart to hear her so joyful.
When I finally see what's making her laugh, my heart swells with emotion. Knox is sitting beside her bed, engaged in playful banter. He holds the stuffed animal he gave her, and in a deep, goofy voice, he teases her, playfully bumping her nose with the fuzzy toy. Anika's fits of giggles fill the room.
Overwhelmed by the heartwarming scene, I turn my head away for a moment to wipe away an unexpected tear. Just then, a doctor approaches me to update me on Anika's condition. Her levels are improving, but they still want to keep her under observation, a decision I fully support. She needs all the care she can get to recover fully.
When the doctor finishes, I turn back to the room and notice that Knox is watching me. He raises an eyebrow, and I simply nod in response. A warm smile spreads across his face."Hey,"he greets me, and Anika, still grinning, introduces him to me.
"Hi, sissy,"she says."I met your friend—Knox. He's very nice to me, and he brought me this fuzzy bear. I'm going to call him‘Forest.’"
"Oh, that's very nice,"I reply, my gaze shifting between Anika and Knox. He wears a wide smirk that doesn't escape my notice.
"Would that have anything to do with 'Mr. Forrester?'"I inquire, my curiosity piqued.
Anika nods eagerly, her eyes shining."Yes, he told me Forest can be a mascot for his company, and you work there."
I smile warmly at my sister.
"I told her it’s an honor to have Forest represent Forrester International Resorts and Casinos, where her sisterworked."Knox eyes me.
The word"worked"lingers in the air, and I can't help the frown that creeps onto my face. Knox stands from Anika’s side and leans in to address her.
"You know what, Anika? I'm going to leave you here with Forest for a little bit. It is very nice meeting you, and I plan to come back and see you very soon if that's okay with you?"
Anika's eyes light up with excitement."Yes, that will be fine. It is\s very nice meeting you, Knox. I'll see you soon, and thank you for Forest,"she says with a grin, hugging the stuffed animal tightly against her chin. It warms my heart to see my sister so happy, but there's still a looming sense of dread about my job situation.
"Robyn, can I see you outside for a minute before I leave?"Knox asks as he walks past me toward the door.
