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"Mr Crestwell?"

Jace whirled to see a doctor standing in the doorway

"You can come back and stay with her now if you like"

Jace surged to his feet, fearing the answer to his next question "Is she okay? Did shemake it?"

The doctor’s expression was relieved but gris fro comfortably now She probably won’t come around for a while, but you can sit with her if you like"

There was no question He would stay with her until she woke again and he’d never leave her side

Before he left, he turned his hard gaze on Kaden and then nodded in Jack’s direction "You o anywhere I haven’t yet decided what’s to be done about him"

"Yes, sir"

Jace hurried back to Bethany’s rooht in his throat when he walked through the door and saw her on the bed, lying so pale and still

He took a seat by her bedside, pulling the chair so he was right next to her head She looked extreile, like a porcelain doll, so still and quiet He reached up to tuck a strand of hair away froers trail down her skin

The only sound was the heart monitor and the steady rhythen into her nostrils Other than that, she didn’t stir Her breaths were so light that he leaned forward to reassure hi

He pressed his lips to her forehead, closing his eyes as he savored the reassuring sound of the heartHer heart beat It was enough No matter what happened froh that she was alive and in his life

"Come back to me, Bethany," he whispered "I love you so much"

Chapter forty-one

Bethany’s dreams were tormented Or maybe she ake, but she couldn’t seem to make her eyes open But she’d had the most horrible drea over her, fear blazing in his eyes And then he’d told her that she’d overdosed That she’d taken drugs and tried to kill herself!

Her heart hurt Did he really think she could do so like that? And why couldn’t she seeo away?

She wanted Jace Wanted him to hold her and to soothe the horrible ache in her chest To tell her he’d never believe so so terrible of her But then, he didn’t trust her yet The other night had taught her as ain and shake away the heavy veil that weighed her down It hurt God, it felt as though soled on, deter her

Her eyelids slowly fluttered, each blink beating like a haed her lids upward and for a moment, utter panic swamped her It was dark and unfamiliar and the smell--it was so sterile Like ahospital

She glanced frantically around, trying to e bed Not very comfortable either A rhyth her wince

"Jace?"

It ca than she’d like, but she was scared and alone and she wanted Jace

Thenher startle, and then Jace was suddenly loouish and relief

"Bethany, baby, you’re awake Thank God, you’re awake"

His voice was clogged with e There was so much relief and worry all packed into those simple words that she was stunned and ?

She licked dry lips and sed Her tongue was thick and like sawdust in her mouth

"I had thewith me, Jace? Where am I?"

He pressed a kiss to her brow and she could feel hiainst her skin Al toit in his It was then she realized there was an IV in her arm

"You were very sick, baby I almost lost you Thank God you came back to me"

Maybe it hadn’t been a dreaht she’d tried to kill herself? Hysteria rose in her throat and she an to shake violently and Jace enfolded her in his arainst hiht now"

"I didn’t do it, Jace," she said vehemently "Please, you have to believe ! I wouldn’t!"

He stroked his hand down her hair and rocked her back and forth in his arms "I know you didn’t, baby I know"

She went still and then pulled back so she could see his face "You do?"