Novel Palace
Chapter 82
82 Heartbreak Again (Jayden)
In the hospital, I stand and wait in the emergency room. The nurse said the doctor was about to examine Ashlyn. Abby is still clinging to me, her small body trembling with fear. I know I need to get her out of here. I dial Anne's number. "Jayden?" she answers quickly, concern evident in her voice.
"It's all a mess, Anne. Winona is in jail, Ashlyn is in emergency-I think she's lost the baby-and I'm here with Abby at the hospital waiting," I explain, my voice strained with emotion.
"Oh god. What happened?" Anne asks, the worry in her tone deepening.
"They struggled, Ashlyn fell down the stairs. Anne, I think Winona pushed her," I confess, the words heavy on my tongue.
"No. She wouldn't," Anne insists.
"Her state of mind lately, I don't know. Has she told you anything?" I ask, desperate for some clarity.
haven't heard from her. I just assumed everything was fine," Anne replies,ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
"It was, I mean, really fine. But then her father turned up," I say, frustration seeping into my voice. "What!? Steve Halley was there?" Anne sounds shocked. "Yeah, he turned up with two kids. Told Winona they were his kids. She took them in for a few explain, my anger rising.
"Oh no," Anne whispers.
nights," I
"Then Abby went missing with the kids... but he turned up with them looking like he thought it was okay to- go get ice cream," I continued, my voice shaking.
"I need to come. Where are these kids now?" Anne asks.
"I'll send a driver and my private jet. The kids are in the hands of child services here in Santa Monica, but from what we can work out he's been in the same area Winona grew up in," I explain, feeling Eoverwhelmed.
"I have special certification. I'm qualified to give them the care they need to be debriefed and ready to go back to just being normal kids again," Anne assures me. I'll talk to child protection there."
"I never realized how Winona grew up. I don't think she'll ever be normal again after this," I admit, my heart aching.
"Don't you give up on her. She's stronger than you know," Anne says firmly.
"I don't know what to do." I confess, feeling lost.
"Stay with Abby until I get there. I hope Ashlyn and the baby are okay. You may be able to find a carer or something at the hospital for Abby while you deal with that situation," Anne suggests. "Okay, great idea," I agree, feeling a glimmer of hope.
TAME
62 Heartbreak Again
"If Steve Halley was involved, you can guarantee that he's got a lot of money for doing so. He's been paid off. He just might have the answers you need if you can convince him to talk," Anne advises. "Thanks, Anne. For everything," I say, grateful for her support.
"You get your shit together, Jayden Brennan. This is no time for maybes. Winona's future is on the line. Abby still has a long road. You need to find the truth," Anne tells me, her words sharp and motivating.
"I know, and I'm ready to go back and take back Brennan Industries and take back my life. I know I love Winona, but if she has deliberately taken my baby from me, I don't know how to deal with that," I confess, the pain in my voice raw. "Why was Ashlyn there?" Anne asks.
"No clue. She just turned up at the park. Winona went to try and talk to her. She's sick of all of this drama. The kids need stability," I explain.
"It does seem a little suspect Ashlyn just turned up unannounced," Anne muses.
I see a doctor walking towards me. "I have to go, Anne. See you soon. The jet should have you here in five hours."
"Bye Jayden. Good luck," Anne says before hanging up.
Before the doctor says anything, I ask, "Doctor, is there anywhere my daughter can go until I get this sorted out? She needs a quiet room and some food. Maybe a nurse that can help out? I'll pay."
He walks back to the nurse's station and speaks with them. One nurse looks at her watch and nods. She walks over to me. "I'm going on break for an hour. I'll take her to the staff room." "Thank you," I say, relief flooding through me.
Abby clings to me as I try to hand her over. "Go with the nurse, Sweety. I'll be back soon. I have to talk
the doctor."
"I want Mommy!" Abby cries, her voice filled with desperation.
"I know you do, Abby. I know. Nanny Anne is coming tonight. She'll take you to the cottage until Mommy can come see you, okay? Mommy isn't well right now," explain, my heart breaking. "Those bad policemen took Mommy away." Tears run down her grubby cheeks.
"Hey... Abby, do you like candy? I have a whole stash in my locker. Let's go get some and let Daddy talk to the doctor, okay? I have a pussy cat you can meet too. He lives here in the hospital," the nurse says gently, trying to comfort her.
Abby's eyes light up a little, and she lets the nurse take her. The nurse nods at me and leads her away. "Mr. Brennan, your wife has sustained some serious injuries in the fall. Not life-threatening for her. But she has lost the baby, I'm afraid," the doctor says, his tone somber.
I nod, the weight of his words hitting me hard. I remember how I felt when Winona lost our first baby. Ashlyn will be upset. I'm not sure where we go from here. "Can I go and see her?"
I'd imagined being a father to this child. Seeing all the milestones. Learning how to change diapers.