Page 48 of Accidentally Yours

“What the fuck?” I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed Willa. It went straight to voicemail.

The newscaster said several people were being taken to Mount Sinai for injuries. I started to panic as I called Louis and told him to bring the car around.

“What’s going on, Damien?” he asked as I slid into the back.

“Get me to Mount Sinai.” I tried calling Willa again, and it kept going to voicemail. “Damn it.”

I raced into the emergency room and went up to the desk.

“People were brought in from a building fire on Murray Street. I need to know if my wife is here. I can’t get a hold of her.”

“What is your wife’s name? the nurse behind the desk asked.

“Willa Blackwood.”

“I’m sorry. But there isn’t a Willa Blackwood listed.”

“Try Willa Aster.”

“Yes. What is your wife’s birthdate?”

Shit.

“Uh, I don’t know.”

“You don’t know your wife’s birthdate?” She cocked her head.

“It’s complicated. Where is she?” I demanded to know.

“Yeah, sorry, sir. Unless you’re related, you can’t go back there.”

“She is my wife!” I shouted.

“Sure, she is. And please lower your voice. She gave us a different last name, and you don’t know your wife’s birthdate.”

I inhaled a sharp breath so I didn’t lose my shit.

“I am her husband. Since you don’t believe, go ask her yourself because I am not leaving until I see my wife.”

“Give me a moment.” She stood up, scanned her badge, and walked through the double security doors.

A few moments later, she returned.

“I apologize, Mr. Blackwood. She’s in room nine. Go through the doors, make a right at the end of the hall, and her room is on the left.”

“Thank you.”

I located room nine and paused in the doorway, gazing at Willa as she lay in bed with an oxygen tube in her nose.

“Willa, are you okay?” I ran to her bedside and gripped her hand.

“I’m fine.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know. I was sleeping, and suddenly I heard the smoke alarms going off. So, I climbed out of bed, and the apartment was filled with smoke.”

“Did the fire start in your apartment?”