Page 26 of Ruthless Prince

He let out another deep sigh. “It certainly feels likeit.”

“I thought you were bringing Jared back to see me,” I said, eager to change the subject to something lessdepressing.

“I did. I sent him off with one of the agents to get you some of that red Jell-O hospitals always seem to have. I know you like thatstuff.”

My lips curved up in a faint smile. “Ido.”

“He’ll be back any minutenow.”

“What about Mom?” I said. “Is she still on the phone with theBrazilians?”

He frowned. “When I passed her in the hall outside, she was with Jamie. They were discussing the press statement they’re going to put out aboutthis.”

I lifted a brow. “Pressstatement?”

“It seems someone leaked some information about you being taken to the hospital. Your mother is planning the cover story, Ipresume.”

I blew out a frustrated puff of air. “Why am I evensurprised?”

“You know she’s just doing it to protect you,” he said. “The media can be so cruel. If they got wind of this incident, just imagine how they’d spinit.”

“Yeah. I get it.” I could picture the headlines now, and the thought made me shudder. “So what’s the cover story? I sleepwalked and fell down the stairs? Or did I get theflu?”

“I’m not sure yet. She’ll let usknow.”

We lapsed into another awkwardsilence.

“Willow!”

Dad and I turned our gazes to the door to see Jared standing there, eyes expectantly wide. Dad smiled and stood. “I’ll let you two hang out for awhile.”

Jared raced in, red Jell-O cup in one hand. I patted the bed to signal that he could sit on it withme.

“I’m sorry I missed our bowling day,” I murmured, ruffling his thick red hair. “I know you were looking forward toit.”

He looked up at me and smiled. “It’s not yourfault.”

“Well, I’m sorry anyway. And I’m sorry about what you saw thismorning.”

“It’s okay. It was a bit scary, but I hardly saw anything.” He held out the Jell-O. “This is foryou.”

“Thanks. Where’syours?”

His cheeks flushed. “I spilled mine on Mom in the hall. It went all over hercoat.”

I could tell he was trying not to giggle, and honestly, the thought of my mother’s face when she realized he’d just splattered red slime all over her cream outfit made me want to giggle too. She hated losing control. Hated things that weren’tperfect.

No wonder I had anxietyissues.

“I have to tell you a secret,” Jared said, lowering his voice to awhisper.

“Yeah?”

His face reddened even more. “I did it onpurpose.”

My brows shot up. “Why?”

“I heard her saying mean things about you to Mr.Torrance.”