Georgia’s POV
The call from the hospital ca while we were still at the dining table—Wendy was finally awake. Relief washed over , but the nurse reminded us visiting hours in the ICU weren’t until later. Waiting was torture, but at least it gave ti to prepare.
Vicky didn’t let brood for long. She whisked off to the mall, insisting we pick up more things we needed. I clutched the seatbelt as she drove, guilt tugging at . "Sorry to bother you like this. I would’ve taken my own car if it wasn’t in the shop right now."
Vicky shot a playful look, her grin as bright as the noon sun. "Bother ? Are you kidding? I’ve been waiting for this mont—shopping with my sister-in-law." She tossed the words so casually, but they ward from the inside out. "And even if you had your car, Nick would never let you drive yourself after what happened. Between the penthouse and the outside world, sissy, you’re officially on the ’no solo trips’ list."
I chuckled softly, though the reminder of the fire and assault on Wendy made my chest tighten. "I know. Thank God my neighbors pushed the car out in ti. If it had burned too... I can’t even think about it. Nick gave that car." My voice cracked, equal parts fear and gratitude.
Vicky’s hands tightened on the wheel. "Right. And whoever is behind this? They’re ruthless. I keep thinking about Irene and Frank—especially Irene. She’s pregnant, running for her life... I can’t imagine living like that."
Her words lingered as we pulled into the hospital parking lot. My heart ached for Irene, but at the sa ti, a fierce determination stirred in .
We arrived at the hospital earlier than visiting hours, so Vicky and I waited in the ICU’s small lounge.
A nurse approached us, her steps hesitant, eyes darting around as if soone might be watching. "Hi... you’re Ms. Georgia Lewis, right?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," I answered, my heart tightening at the way her voice wavered. "Is sothing wrong?"
Her fingers fidgeted with a folded pink sticky note. "I—I’m from the maternity departnt. A pregnant woman asked to give this to you. Well... not exactly to you—she gave three nas she thought might be here. I checked the records and found Wendy West’s file in the ICU. It says you’re her guardian."
Every muscle in my body went rigid. "Go on," I urged, my voice sharper than I intended.
"She said it was very important—life and death. And she told not to involve the police. She said if I gave this note to you, you’d know what to do because..." The nurse swallowed hard. "Because you have a very good lawyer with you." Her gaze flicked over her shoulder like she expected soone to appear any second.
She pressed the note into my palm quickly. "Please, take it. Don’t ask anything else. She told my life might be in danger if I did more than this. I only helped because she looked so desperate. I—I need to go back to work."
Before either of us could speak, she spun on her heel and hurried down the hall, disappearing around the corner.
Vicky and I stared after her, stunned. The air between us felt heavy, electrified as I unfolded the small sticky note with trembling hands.
"It’s from Irene..." The words fell out of before I even realized I’d spoken. The mont the nurse had said "pregnant," I’d already known.
Vicky leaned in, her eyes scanning the sa shaky handwriting as mine.
[Help. They got Frank. CCTV. I’m not alone.]
The letters blurred as my mind raced. This wasn’t just a ssage. It was a warning.
Just as I was about to whisper sothing to Vicky about the note, the nurse from the ICU suddenly appeared in the doorway.
"Everyone waiting for the ICU patients," she called out, her voice brisk but kind. "You may co in now."
The sound of chairs scraping and footsteps filled the waiting area as families hurried to the doors. My heart jumped into my throat; the tension of Irene’s note still buzzed in my mind.
"Go on," Vicky said quickly, her eyes already on her phone. "I’ll stay here. I’ll text Nick and Oliver about this. Focus on Wendy for now."
I nodded, clutching my bag tightly as I moved with the others down the corridor. Each step felt heavier, my mind still racing with Irene’s desperate handwriting. By the ti I reached Wendy’s room, I had to pause at the door to steady myself because I was trembling.
She was awake, pale but smiling weakly, the mont she saw . All my composure was shattered. I crossed the room in two steps and wrapped my arms around her, burying my face against her chest. I sobbed hard, and I trembled like a child.
"Oh dear," Wendy murmured, stroking my hair with a frail hand. "You’re a grown woman. Don’t cry like this."
"I’m sorry," I choked out, my tears soaking her gown. "I’m so sorry. This is all my fault, Wendy! You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t because of ."
Her fingers slid under my chin, gently tilting my face up. Her eyes, though tired, were steady and sharp. "Listen to ," she said firmly. "This is not your fault."
I shook my head, but she pressed on, her voice a whisper edged with steel. "The people who attacked , the ones who burned the house, they said things. I heard them arguing before I locked myself in the room. Georgia... I have a very strong feeling these are the sa n who killed your brother."
The room seed to tilt. My heart stopped, then thundered back to life. I gripped her hands, searching her face for any hint of doubt. She had none.
If Wendy was right, then this was it—the thread we’d been waiting for. Nick’s fight. My brother’s death. The reason for all of this. My grief hardened into resolve.
This ti, we were prepared. This ti, we wouldn’t let them get away.
*******
Thank you WhiteWave for the gift!!!
Thanks for the Golden Ticket!
peppaaster419
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