Chapter 75
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'Baby, calm down. I'll ask the doctor when you can leave. Okay?'
She nodded.
I went to find the doctor.
He explained that they should keep her overnight for observation in case there was a concussion or any internal bleeding. He assured me that she could be home tomorrow if it was nothing major. She lost some blood but otherwise she was fine. She'd be one hundred percent very soon and I couldn't wait to have her in my arms in our house. I was even thinking about moving completely, and start over somewhere new and somewhere fresh without the bad memories. I would need her input on that idea.
'She'll be alright,' I told a worried Halley. 'Thanks for coming to her aid. I don't know what would've happened to her if you hadn't barged in when you did.'
'You're welcome. And that's part of my job also. She's my best friend and I don't wanna see her hurt.'
'Or your big brother.'
'Yes, or you.' She threw her arms around me.
I hugged her back and remembered when Nana first adopted her so she could live with us. She was originally from France, but her family was murdered by drug dealers when they moved to the United States.
Nana worked with an adoption agency at the time, so she adopted Halley, and I grew jealous because I didn't have all my Nana's attention anymore. Nana told me to call her sister, but I never looked at her like that. She knew I disliked her in the beginning but she stuck around. Her kindness won me over and, eventually, I warmed up to her. She had always looked at me as her big brother.
'I'm happy she'll be alright. I can't wait to meet the babies. You're promoting me to babysitter, right?'
'Ha ha, that would be Emma's decision.'
'Oh, I know she will.'
'Uh huh. Lets get out of here. I hate hospitals. Emma will be home tomorrow.'
'Did police arrested Hannah?'
'Yes. After the security guards restrained her I called the police. They were already in the neighborhood.'
'Excellent.'
The next morning the hospital called and informed me that Emma had been discharged by the doctor so I could pick her up at anytime. I didn't hesitate. I wanted my three babies home.
I took one last sip of the coffee I made myself; it tasted like shit. I took my keys, took the elevator down, and ran to my car. I sped to the hospital.
'Mr. Hollen, you're fiancee is right this way,' a nurse greeted and took me to Emma's room.
She lit up when she saw me.
She kissed my cheeks and took my hand, pulling me out of the room. 'Lets go!'
________________
It had taken over a month to arrange for the burial of my mother given the transport from Italy to the United States, the autopsy, the investigation into her death, and the paperwork. There was more paperwork than I'd have ever thought possible.
Emma always looked beautiful in black and at almost three months pregnant she was glowing. She had a gauze bandage on her temple to cover up the cut made by the assault.
I activated the alarm systems and everyone, dressed in black, assembled outside. Emma, Halley and Nana traveled with me in the limousine, which was driven by Luis.
Many of mom's friends, who owned hotels and restaurants and businesses around the world, showed up to give their respects and condolences. After the church service, we headed outside to bury her. There wasn't any sign of my father, still. I was scanning every face for him.
Nana cried, bitterly.
I cried, making sure not to make it noticeable. I cried because it hurt to hear Nana crying.
Halley cried and I couldn't understand why. My mother never liked her.
Emma was sad, it was clear by her face, and I saw when she wiped a tear away.
I put on my dark sunglasses as someone tapped me on the shoulder. The casket had been covered by soil already in front of a tombstone with her picture.
'Hello, son,' my father greeted and extended his arms for a hug.
I channeled all my energy into a punch that connected with his jaw and sent his falling backwards on his ass. He took a tissue from his pocket and wiped the blood from his mouth.
'I'm not your son,' I said firmly as I walked over to him.
He looked up with rage and anger.
'Ethan! Stop it!' Nana yelled behind me as she moved over and pulled me back to her.
Emma hugged me and buried her face in my jacket, which calmed me instantly.
'She told you?' he asked, getting up from the ground and making his way over to me.
'Don't you fucking come any closer or I'll break your neck and send you to the grave with the harlot!' I snapped.
He stopped. 'Son, you don't understand.'
'What don't I understand? That this whole thing was your idea? You were screwing Sharon behind my back while plotting to kill me and my fiancée for my money and my company. You're going to jail!'
'Bertrand McHall, you're under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be use against you in the court of law. You have a right to an attorney, if you can't afford one, one would be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights?' Officer Ryan said, wrenching his wrist into the handcuffs.
'Ethan, you bastard! You're no son of mine, boy. You're a shame to my name! I hope that fiancée of yours finishes the job for us!'
'Never!' Emma shouted and tears fell from her eyes. 'You're an awful father. I'll never hurt him.'
'Forget him,' I told her as we watched the car drove away with him in it.
Finally. I would be able to live in peace until the twins come along.
