Page 9 of They Found Us (Found #5)

“As you wish. Has your wife ever suffered with any cardiological issues?”

“No.”

“Does she have any previous diagnoses or illnesses?”

“No.”

The doctor checks his notes.

“What has happened to my wife, Doctor?”

“Your wife suffered a cardiac arrest. Thankfully she was in the hospital when this occurred. If this have occurred outside a medical facility, I’m afraid your wife would not have had the same outcome.”

The statement has a lump building in my throat.

“You baby’s placenta detached from your wife’s womb. This caused severe internal bleeding, in turn creating traumatic stress on your wife’s body, which then caused the cardiac arrest.”

At this point, I do sit down. I place my baby in his crib then put my head in my hands. I rub my face, trying to process. I could have lost my wife. My wife. I should have been here to protect my family. If she had died, so would I.

“So far your wife seems to be recovering well.”

“Seems to be?” I demand, not liking how that was put.

“Yes. A cardiac arrest is very serious and can have many different long-term effects. Your wife may have some of them or none at all, but it is too early to tell at the moment. We will be keeping a close eye on her and carrying out more tests.”

“What kind of long-term effects?”

“It’s a lack of oxygen to the brain during a cardiac arrest that can sometimes cause further complications. Things like personality changes, problems with memory, feeling tired, dizziness or balance issues. Problems with speech and language, as well as irreversible damage to the heart.”

“Am I going to lose my wife?”

“As I said, Mr Smith, your wife is recovering well at this early stage. She is young and otherwise healthy. But she is going to need a lot of care, especially with a newborn. Her rehabilitation must be slow and gentle. No unnecessary stress.”

“She won’t lift a finger.” I stand, needing to be near my world.

“Let me take you to her. I’ll get the nurse to come and take care of your sons.”

Before entering her room, I take a deep breath to compose myself, cracking my neck to release some tension.

Gently, I open the door and find her sleeping.

Her blonde hair is fanned across her pillow.

She looks like an angel in the crisp white sheets.

A very pale, frail-looking angel. The difference in her appearance in just a few days is painful.

The nurse notices me standing at the door. “Come on in, love. Here, have a seat next to her.” The nurse pulls a chair up beside the bed.

Taking a seat beside her, I gently take hold of her bruised hand. She feels cold.

“I’ll give you some privacy. But if you need anything, just press that orange button.” She points to a remote control attached to Katie’s bed.

To warm her hand, I place my other one over top. Gently, I kiss the tips of her fingers.

“Leo?” Katie begins to stir. Her voice quiet and pained.

“Yes, it’s me, Kat-er-een. I’m here. You just rest.”

“I’ve missed you so much. I’ve been so scared.” A little sob leaves her lips.

Guilt ripples through me. “I’m here now, and I’ll never leave you again.”

“I couldn’t get hold of you. I thought something had happened to you.”

“Hey. Just relax. Everything is fine. I’m okay, the boys are okay, and you’re okay. I’m going to take care of you all.”

“Ti amo.” I love you .

“Ti amo, Kat-er-een.” I love you .

While Katie continues to doze, I worry about how I am going to care for her and how I am going to care for my two young sons.

Am I enough? Katie is a fantastic mother.

She makes everything seem effortless. Although this life may seem more relaxed than our previous one, Katie does everything in our home single-handedly.

Obviously, I tend to the vineyard and help out with the animals.

But the household chores and day-to-day running of our home is all Katie.

I always offer to help, but she refuses, enjoying being the caring mother taking care of her family.

Back in Italy, we had help. A cleaner, a chef, a housekeeper, a gardener. We also had family and friends. Here we have no one.

Alex’s face appears in my mind. He is alive. Anger builds inside of me. The pain and guilt I have suffered for years, blaming myself for his death, when all this time he was alive. And with her. A Martelé. The pain her family has caused. How could he be with such evil?

So many questions. The need for so many answers.

Did he know we were here? Is she still working with the Martelé?

My protective instincts flare. I need to protect my family.

Suddenly I feel very vulnerable. Defenceless.

There is only so much I can do to protect the three most precious people in the world.

We need security. But there’s nothing like that here.

And who would I trust to look after them who could I trust to die for my loved ones?

Nobody here. They’re all back in Italy. If word has gotten back to the Martelé that I am alive, they could already be on their way.

They may already be here. And one of them is .

The distance between myself and my sons feels like a shot in my heart.

We all need to be together. Quietly slipping out of Katie’s room, I return the family room.

During the short walk, I hear my name being called.

“Leo.”

Instantly recognising his voice, I stop in my tracks, turning to see my brother with the Martelé woman.

“How’s Katie?”

“Do not dare talk about my wife. Leave before I kill you myself.” Turning I continue to my sons.

“Leo, please,” the Martelé begs.

“And you. Stay away from my wife and children.”

“Do not disrespect my wife!” Alex booms.

“Please, it’s fine. He’s upset. Let’s just go.” She takes hold of his arm, trying to pull him away.

“Yes, listen to your wife, Alex.” Alex. The name I treasured, the name we were planning on calling our new son now feels tainted.

“Five minutes, Leo. And then you never have to see us again.”

Taking a deep breath while cracking my neck, I consider his request. The safety of my family is my main concern. “You have one minute.”

Alexs follows me into the family room. I dismiss the nurse, and thankfully my sons are safe and still sound asleep.

“Is my family safe?” I ask as soon as the nurse closes the door.

Alex looks at me quizzically.

“She is Martelé. Are my wife and children safe?”

“Vanna is no longer a Martelé.”

“Does anyone know we are here?”

“Why would anyone know you are here?”

“Just answer the question.”

Alex rubs his jaw with his right hand. A frown mirroring mine crosses his forehead.

“Look. I have no idea what is going on with you or where you have been. The suit you are wearing has me worried.” He sighs and shakes his head a little.

“But I have connections at the airbase and all the ports on the island. They keep me informed with any new arrivals or suspicious activity. Other than you and a stowaway who left for three days and returned on a jet, there haven’t been any further updates. ”

The fact that he knows I left doesn’t fill me with confidence. But for now, the fact my family isn’t in any immediate danger puts me at ease slightly. “Your minute is up.”

Before Alex can protest, Mark wakes. “Papa?”

“I’m here, son.” Taking him in my arms, I sit down with him on my lap.

“I’ll leave you for now. But I will see you again soon.”

I don’t answer. A response doesn’t come to mind. I hear them both leave, closing the door behind them. My feelings on the situation make me feel like punching a wall. After gathering up my boys’ belongings, I lift Mark with one arm and push the cot with my youngest son back into Katie’s room.

The nurse sets up bed in the corner of the room, and for the next few days, we spend all our time together within those four walls, apart from me nipping home to feed the animals and pick up necessities.

Katie, like the strong, amazing woman she is, has been gaining strength each day.

She is even breast feeding now, which the nurse says is fantastic after everything she has been through.

Mark has been getting lots of attention from the nurses, and I’m enjoying being around my family safe in our bubble.

Until today. When Alex returns and drops a bombshell.