Marrying My Father's Enemy-Chapter 155: Fractures

Chapter 155: Fractures...

Callian hesitated just inside the door, his hands trembling.

His heart clenched painfully as he approached the bed, his breath hitching at the sight of her face.

Bandages wrapped tightly around her torso, and an oxygen mask covered her nose and mouth, her chest rising and falling so faintly it seemed as though the movement might stop at any moment.

Callian lowered himself into the chair beside her, his knees threatening to give out beneath him.

His hand hovered over hers before he finally took it, careful not to disturb the IV running into her wrist.

Her skin was cold, and he instinctively rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, as though willing warmth back into her.

"Hey, Eira," he murmured. "It’s me."

The words felt stayed in his throat, as if saying them aloud made the reality all the more unbearable.

He leaned closer, resting his elbows on the bed.

"I know you’re tired," he muttered. "And I know you’ve fought so hard. But I need you to keep fighting, okay? For me. For us. For the baby."

His chest tightened as he glanced at her stomach, now hidden beneath layers of medical equipment.

The thought of their child—a tiny life yet to be lived—pushed a fresh wave of pain through him.

"I’m sorry...I’m so sorry for not protecting you, for not stopping this sooner. I should’ve—" His words broke off into a choked sob, and he buried his face in his hands, shaking with grief.

The sound of the door creaked opening startled him, and he quickly wiped his face, turning to see who had entered.

A nurse stepped in briefly to adjust one of the monitors, offering him a sympathetic smile before leaving him alone again.

Once the door clicked shut, he exhaled shakily, leaning back in his chair.

"I can’t do this without you, Eira," he said softly, his voice raw. "I don’t even know how to try. You’re the only one who’s ever made me feel like I could be more. Like I was enough. So please... please don’t leave me."

The beeping of the machines filled the silence, a cruel mockery of the life-and-death battle unfolding before him.

He squeezed her hand gently, his lips pressing into a thin line.

"I need you to wake up," he murmured. "Even if it’s just to yell at me, or tell me I’m an idiot, or..." He laughed bitterly, his tears spilling over.

"Anything. Just don’t... don’t leave me with this silence."

The door to the ward opened suddenly, and Callian looked up, his heart clenching with alarm.

Two uniformed police officers entered, their presence unexpected and imposing.

Behind them, Vanesa appeared, her face pale with confusion, followed closely by Elias, Rylan, and Sana.

"What’s going on?" Callian asked, rising from his chair, his voice sharp with panic.

One of the officers cleared his throat. "We’re here to execute an arrest warrant for Henry Blackwood and Vanesa Blackwood."

The room fell into stunned silence, the announcement crushed the fragile hope they had been clinging to.

"What?" Callian breathed, moving his head between the officers and Vanesa.

"This has to be some kind of mistake," she said, her voice scoffed. "Why would you arrest me? I haven’t done anything."

The officer ignored her protests, stepping aside as another entered the room with Henry in tow. His hands were cuffed.

"Henry," Elias muttered, "What did you do?"

Henry avoided his son’s gaze, his shoulders slumping as the world had finally crushed him.

"It’s not what you think," he said quietly.

"Not what I think?" Elias snapped, stepping forward.

"You’ve been lying to us for years, and now this? What the hell is going on?"

Callian moved to stand beside Elias, "Why are you arresting them?" he demanded, his voice tight.

The officer holding Henry spoke up, "Henry Blackwood is being charged in connection with the death of Marion Eldridge and for obstruction of justice. Vanesa Blackwood is being charged as an accessory after illegal tapes leak, sexual assault and bullying."

Vanesa’s face drained of color, her hands trembling.

"That’s not true!" she cried,"I had nothing to do with any of these!"

"Vanesa," Henry said quietly.

"Don’t," she snapped, rounding on him. "Don’t you dare say anything, father! You promised me this would never come out!"

"What does that mean?" Elias demanded, his eyes narrowed on his father. "What did you promise her?"

"I was trying to protect her. To protect all of you."

"Protect them?" Callian spat.

"You’ve destroyed everything, Henry! Eira’s fighting for her life, and now you’re telling us you’ve been hiding the truth this entire time?"

"Don’t talk to me about destruction!" Henry barked, his composure cracking. "Everything I did, I did for this family! For all of you!"

"And look where that’s gotten us," Elias said coldly, his voice cutting through everything.

"Eira’s in that bed, clinging to life. Her baby’s future hangs by a thread. And now this? Do you even realize what you’ve done?"

Vanesa broke down into sobs, her hands covering her face as the officers moved to cuff her.

"Please," she begged, her voice shaking. "You have to believe me. I didn’t kill Marion. I only—"

"Enough," one of the officers said firmly, leading her toward the door. "You can tell your story to the judge."

Callian turned away, his hands shaking as he gripped the back of a chair for support. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Henry or Vanesa anymore.

"Get them out of here," he muttered, his voice low and filled with disgust.

The officers began to escort the two of them out, Vanesa’s sobs echoing through the hallway as the door swung shut behind them.

For a moment, the room was utterly silent.

"I can’t believe this," Sana whispered while shaking her head.

Callian turned to Eira, and a small smile formed on his lips.

He went back to sit into his chair, placing his hand on her tummy. "You’ve done it...my girl..."

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