Page 42 of Hidden

The look she shot him was a strange mixture of alarm and exasperation. Then, slowly, she pinched the bridge of her nose. “This is a nightmare. I knew you were difficult, but Bryce, are you really—”

“Is there a problem?” Bryce didn’t seem intimidated by the older woman in the least. “I have medical jurisdiction since my wife has, apparently, been deemed incapable. Surely you aren’t going to fight thelaw?”

Dr. Reed opened her eyes slowly. “And just where do you think you’ll be taking your wife? What does your father think about this insanity?”

I watched the two of them, entranced. My pulse picked up.

His father…

I didn’t think this through. He would be my father, too! Whatwouldhe think about this plan? I had literally no idea what he was like. What if he was just like Bryce?

That would be terrible.

Julian’s pulled me closer as Damen covered my hand with his own.

“It’s okay,” Julian whispered. “We can talk about it later.”

“You’ll find that Father is more than welcoming,” Bryce said, waving off Dr. Reed’s concern. “And in the spirit of agreeableness, since my wife is in a delicate state, I’ll even let you know we’ve decided to move in with my best mate, Damen Abernathy.” Damen’s hand twitched, but Bryce continued, “He’s never had a keen eye for landscaping, you see. He kills everything he touches—strangles the life out of it. Therefore, he’s requested my expertise. It’s his only hope.”

“So he plans on entering gardening competitions?” Dr. Reed narrowed her eyes at Bryce before turning her attention to Damen. “Is it true, you’re friends again?”

“Oh,absolutely.” Damen’s voice was strange. “It’s my pleasure to have a live-in groundskeeper. You can never have too many servants.”

Julian covered his face with his hand, while his mother sighed.

“Right…” She focused on me. “Bianca, are you sure?”

“Of course.” I breathed, hoping she’d get on with it. I didn’t want to stay in this building another second. “Why wouldn’t I want to be with my husband?”

She turned her eyes heavenward before she glanced pointedly at the three of us. “There’s the matter of this ménage. And while your husband is standing only three feet away. That’s bound to raise some eyebrows.”

Damen’s hand pulled away from mine. Julian gasped. “We’re offering her emotional support!” His cheeks darkened. “We’re best friends!” He protested, using one of my lines. Which, for some reason, caused me to blush.

It really did sound ridiculous.

“Yes, son,” Dr. Reed said, forced patience lining her voice. She snatched a pen from her hair. “I’m sure that’sexactlywhat it is. Be sure to keep it in check. You’ve always been a horrendous actor.

“I’ll get your discharge paperwork,” Dr. Reed said as she wrote, not looking up. “But I am recommending you stay on your medication.Andthat you stop to see Dr. Nam three times a week once you return to campus. He is practicing at your university. We will begin to lower your dosage again after your first visit.”

I frowned at her. “I don’t want to see Dr. Nam.”

She glanced at me. “Why not? Has he done something?”

“No. All he does is make tea,” I explained. “And it tastes awful. He won’t even let me use sugar! He doesn’t say anything, he just watches me drinking it for an hour! It’s boring and useless. He could at least let me bring a coffee.”

Dr. Reed rolled her eyes. “I’ll talk to him. Now, as for your script, I’ll send it to the pharmacy.”

But I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to take anything. “I don’t—”

“Honey-bee.” Bryce stepped forward, holding out his hand. “We can discuss the details when we’re back home. But first let’s leave, all right?”

Honey-bee?

The awful nickname overshadowed the conversation we werecertainto be having later. Julian’s hand lowered to his mouth, and he watched Bryce with an unreadable expression.

Meanwhile, Damen’s eyebrow began to twitch. He remained next to me, barely touching me since Dr. Reed had pointed out his closeness, but I could feel his leg bobbing.

“Yes…” I still had no idea what to call him, but it was time. I had to think of something fast. If we were married, there was no longer an excuse to avoid addressing him anymore. “Daddy.”