Page 146 of A Convenient Secret

Lily

“We should have never gone to the park,” Declan growls as we get into the waiting car. He doesn’t look at me, but I know that right now, in this moment, he’s blaming me.

He’s blinded by rage and worry, but if I’m honest, I shouldn’t have suggested the outing. I was really hoping that we could defy the odds and coexist with the sensation-thirsty reporters.

Zoya is clinging to me while Zach, nestled in Declan’s lap, his lips pursed, puts on a brave face. His wrist is huge, and I try to be strong for all of them, but tears stream down my cheeks, regardless.

This just proved that living in secret was safer for everyone. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined that the kids would suffer this much.

Declan doesn’t look at me. His chin rests on Zach’s head as he stares into empty space. The silence in the car is coiling around my frayed nerves. My chest hurts as the emotions coat my throat, making it difficult to swallow.

Declan calls his mom who is on the board of the hospital, and once we arrive we’re immediately ushered into a private wing.

We move swiftly through the eerily quiet hallways, our steps on the pristine white floors almost obnoxiously squeaky.

A nurse shows us the exam room, and Declan turns to me. “Stay with Zoya.” His voice is flat, his face unreadable.

I nod, swallowing down the ache in my chest as I squat beside Zoya, who buries her face in my neck. Her little fingers clutch my sleeve, her breath warm against my skin.

“Will he be okay?” Zoya’s usually boisterous voice is small.

“Yes, he might need a cast, but I’m sure he will be okay. Are you okay?”

“They didn’t mind theiw business.” She sighs.

“They didn’t.” I kiss her crown.

“If he gets a cast, can he still fly to London?” She looks at me with those huge,curious eyes.

Shit. I didn’t even think of that. “Let’s see what the doctor says first.”

Declan wheels Zach out of the exam room. “He needs an X-ray,” he explains, his voice on edge, his jaw rigid.

“Zach.” Zoya rushes to her brother.

“Don’t worry, Zoya, I’m fine,” Zach says, wincing a bit. Like his father, he’s already learning to bear pain in silence.

“I want a chaiw like that.” Zoya looks at her father.

“Stay with Lily, Zoya,” Declan says. “Zach needs the chair now.” He veers to follow a nurse.

Letting out a shaky breath, my heart breaks for both of them as I watch Declan’s broad shoulders disappear down the hall.

“Do you want a chocolate bar?” I turn to Zoya.

“We should get one fow Zach and Daddy.”

“Great idea.”

As I take her hand, my phone rings. “Give me a moment, sweetheart.”

I answer, and my aunt’s sharp voice sends chills down my spine. “You can congratulate yourself, Liliana; you’ve really done it now.”

“I really don’t have time to talk.” I close my eyes briefly, turning to the window.

“Your antics gave your father a heart attack,”she says.

The hospital air suddenly feels too thick, too sterile, pressing in on me from all sides.