Page 88 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 2

He wasn't supposed to be the first person I told that I was pregnant. It was supposed to be James. It had to be James. "Wake up," I whispered. I started to silently cry again as I clutched his lifeless hand.

"What did the doctor say?" Rob said.

"I'm not sick."

"Penny, what did she say?"

If I had learned anything the past few days, it was that I had family and friends that I could count on no matter what. I didn't want to cut anyone out anymore. And I needed to tell someone before the agony swallowed me whole. Because now it wasn't just me that needed James. It was this baby inside of me that needed a father. I wanted to be strong, but I didn't know if I was strong enough for all three of us. But I couldn't do it. I needed to tell James alone.

Rob sighed. "You can talk to me. You can tell me anything, Penny, you know that."

I nodded. I'd tell him soon, but I had to tell James first. "Can I be alone with him for a second?"

"I'll go give everyone an update." Rob stood up and stretched.

"The doctor said he has a 50 percent chance of waking up." I didn't look up at Rob. I just stared at James' face.

"He's going to wake up," Rob said. "I know he will. I'll be right back." I heard the door close behind him.

My lip started to tremble and I pressed my forehead against the back of James' hand. "James, please wake up. I need you to wake up." The beeping of the machine was driving me crazy. I knew it meant he was alive. But it was teasing me. He was alive, but he wasn't here with me. "I know you can hear me," I said. I lifted my head. "Baby, I know you can hear me." I stood up and leaned forward, kissing his forehead.

I took a deep breath. James didn't want children yet. But I knew if he was awake, he'd be excited. He'd want this one. He or she would be good and kind and loving just like him. I kissed his forehead again. "I'm pregnant." I ran my fingers through his hair. "We're going to have a baby." My voice cracked on the last word.

It killed me to see him like this. It made my chest hurt. I wanted to see him smile again. I wanted to hear his laugh.

"Come back to me. Please come back to me."

***

I didn't hear what anyone said as they filtered in and out of the room. I just kept my hand in James' and continued to whisper to him.

"Mrs. Hunter, we need to have a word with you."

I didn't look up.

"Mrs. Hunter?"

I slowly lifted my head. It was a police officer. Not the same one as we had met from the precinct. But similar enough. I immediately hated him. I had a tendency to blame myself, but this was their fault too. They wouldn't listen to us about Isabella. They wouldn't let us get a restraining order.

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Well, I have some questions for you."

"Get out."

"Excuse me?"

"Get out." I had never heard myself sound so authoritative before. But the officer almost seemed to shrink at my words.

"Another time then," the officer said and retreated out of the room.

I saw Porter standing outside the room. He turned his head and we made eye contact for a second. I could see it in his eyes. He felt guilty for what happened. But I couldn't talk to him right now. I couldn't talk to anyone. My own guilt was eating me up.

I ran my hand across my stomach. How had I let this happen? The pain was too much. I was sinking. Only James could save me. I put my forehead on his hand.Please wake up.

Devotion - Chapter 19

Monday