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She’ll have to go through life alone.
I’ll do my best to make sure she doesn’t. That she knows she still has family. I may not be able to make things right between Adam and me, but I can make sure Rory’s taken care of. Make sure Adam’s son is provided for, like I promised when he first shared the news of Rory’s pregnancy and begged me to take care of them if anything ever happened to him.
Never did I think I’d have to act on that promise.
I drag myself to my feet, still in a daze. I have a feeling I’ll be in a daze for a while.
“I’ll throw on some clothes and head to the hospital.”
“The hospital?” My father crosses his arms in front of his stomach.
“To check on Esme and see how Anders is—”
“Her Highness is being treated by top medical professionals,” he snips out. “And His Highness isn’t your family. Adam is.” He relaxes his arms, but his expression remains severe as he steps toward me. “And right now, you need to put your family first. Put Rory first.”
I don’t bother telling him he’s never put his family first. Not that I can remember.
Regardless, he has a point.
I broke the rules, and when my brother tried to talk some sense into me, tried to protect me, I lashed out at him. Accused him of putting his job before his family. In reality, I was the one who failed to put our family first. I chose a couple of months of amazing sex over my brother. And now he’s gone.
I can’t bring him back. But I can do everything to set things right going forward. To put my family first.
And like Adam constantly tried to tell me… Anderson and Esme aren’t my family.
“I’ll go check on Rory,” I say.
My father nods his approval. “Good answer.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Esme
“Excuse me, Your Highness.”
I look away from the window, the streets outside the hospital lined with concerned citizens holding signs wishing me a speedy recovery.
“Lieutenant Hawkins,” I greet my private secretary in a scratchy voice.
Even though I’m currently under treatment here at the hospital, he’s set up a temporary office in the room beside mine. That way, he can still fulfill his obligations to me, get me whatever I may need as I heal from my injuries.
“I understand your doctor mentioned you may still be suffering from exhaustion, but Her Majesty has requested a few minutes of your time.”
She’s the last person I want to see right now, but my grandmother isn’t one to take no for an answer.
“Of course.” I adjust myself in the bed, wincing through the pain from my bandaged hands. At least I’m alive. That’s more than I can say for Adam. “Send her in.”
“Very well.” Lieutenant Hawkins spins on his heels, but only makes it a few feet before I call out to him. “Thomas?”
He glances over his shoulder. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Has anyone else stopped by to see me today? Perhaps while I was sleeping?”
His expression drops. I don’t have to mention who I hoped to receive a visit from. He knows.
I sense he knew all along.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. Not yet. But visiting hours have just begun.”
