I didn't get the chance to check out the house as David held my hand, leading me to the room where Jack was being treated. Mike wasn't sure how it all happened since Jack was never left alone. Ashley was also missing and Ricky was ready to tear the world apart to find her. But with his injuries, he had to stay in bed while Boss sent out a search party.

Amanda stood outside of the door when we finally arrived at Jack's room. She fiddled with her fingers nervously. David placed his free hand on hers as a comforting gesture, "Everything is going to be okay, Amanda," he reassured her.

She looked as if she was ready to cry. Her voice shaky as she spoke, "You didn't see how bad it is yet. You didn't find him on the floor in a pool of blood."

Mike came up from behind us and grabbed Amanda right when she started crying. He held her in a comforting embrace as he looked at David. It was as if they were having a conversation in their minds. David let out a sigh as he patted Mike on the shoulder before entering the room. Letting go of my hand to let me choose if I wanted to see him or not.

After a few minutes, I followed closely behind David. Using his body to block the sight I wasn't sure I was ready to see. But the machines mocked me as they beeped with every beat of his heart. The sound of another one going in the rhythm of his breathing. I only could imagine what he looked like. The reality was just as crushing when I finally built up the courage to look.

Doc looked up at us as we stopped to stand next to the bed. He appeared to be working on an injury by sewing it up. The sympathetic look in his eyes as he spoke to David broke my heart, "No need to stay strong, David. We all understand that this is your little brother laying in this death bed."

Standing silently just inches from the bed, David stared down at his brother silently. The more we stood there, the more I noticed that the room was eerily quiet. The only sounds I could hear were the machines and Doc walking around the room. Doing his tests and checking Jack's vitals. It was as if everyone was afraid to talk. Like if we talked, Jack would disappear in a heartbeat.

"The boy is lucky," Doc said mostly to himself, "The blood loss should have killed him. But now we wait and see if he is strong enough to come back."

David didn't say anything as he finally moved to sit in the chair next to the bed. His head hanging low as his elbows rested on his knees. Leaving me standing alone to see the heartbreaking sight in front of me. I could only imagine the helplessness he was feeling right now. What I went through with my sister was different because she didn't survive. Jack did and had a chance to see another day.

Doc patted him on the shoulder before leaving the room. Directing me to follow. It was probably to give David a chance to have some alone time to process all that has happened. Even though I followed Doc out of the door, part of me wanted to stay behind to comfort him. The whole entire as I walked towards the hallway, I hoped to hear him asking me to stay. But not a word was said and as the door closed behind us, I saw the faint movement of his shoulders quivering.

"Doc?" Mike said in hesitation.

Doc's sigh made me look at the exchange between the two of them. Mike looked worried and Doc looked exhausted, "She has some timing, doesn't she?"

"She's been feeling it for a few days, but she didn't want to say anything because of Jack," I heard Mike mention. He must have seen my confused look because he explained, "Amanda just went into labor the moment you guys went to see Jack. The shock of everything must have put things in motion."

With a tired smile, Doc followed Mike to a room just a few doors down the hall from Jack. Gabby opened the door to let them in, whispering something to them before they entered. Now I was feeling a little lost because I didn't know where to go. David needed to be alone and I didn't think it was proper for me to visit Amanda. The click of another door opening, made me look for the source.

Just diagonal from Jack's room was Ricky leaning in the door way. The same way I've seen David do countless times. I gave him a small smile as I walked up to him, "Aren't you supposed to be resting?"

He gave me an annoyed look, "Are you going to force me to lay back down too?"

"More like help you get to where you need to," I told him instead. Making him smile.

"This is why I like you," he mentions as he places his arm over my shoulder, "To the stairs my good friend."

Ricky didn't me as much as I thought for support. It was more like I was there in case he needed me. Also I think he appreciated someone being by his side while Ashley was missing. The worry in his eyes spoke volumes even though he held a smile on his face. That took true strength on his part and it was something I had to admire.

We were just a few feet away from the stairs when a group of people I never met came around the corner. The stopped when they noticed us, making us stop as well. A few of them moved aside as others bowed their hands to show respect towards Ricky. In the middle of the group was a face I was happy to see. She was a little beaten up, but she was very much alive.

"Thank the fuck God," Ricky said abandoning me and rushed over to Ashley. Wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug.

Ashley smiled as she hugged him back. Giving him reassuring rubs on the back as she told him, "I'm okay, Ricky."

"We found Ashley a few blocks away from the house Jack was attacked," came Derik's voice from the back of the group. Everyone made room for him to walk up to the front and up to Ricky, "She explained that she was there when they attacked Jack and went after them."

Pulling back so she could look at Ricky's face, "They did it because it would distract us. I don't know from what though."

Ricky pulled her close to him once again. Holding on as if he was afraid that she wasn't really here. Just the sight of the two could pull at heart strings and bring tears in your eyes. It was plain to see that Ricky deeply cared for Ashley and she did everything to prove that she was worthy of that love. It was only something I could wish I had chosen in the first place, but now I am starting to think it is too late.

I noticed Derik was looking at me with an emotionless expression on his face. Last time I saw him, he was angry that I refused to share the bed with him. He didn't buy my excuses when I told him that I haven't been feeling well and didn't want to be near anyone. Turned out my excuses were really excuses to begin with.

Without saying anything or even smiling at Derik, I turned my back on him and started the walk back to Jack's room. Even if a machine was helping him, I needed to hear him breath to feel like he was at least still around when I needed him. He probably couldn't hear me, but I was still willing to talk to him about certain things. There was no way I was going to talk to Jake about this problem or he would go after Derik. Ruining the secret.

But I only got a few feet away from everyone when a hand grabbed onto my wrist. Stopping and turning to see who it was, I looked into the dark eyes that belonged to Derik. His mask gone as if it was just an act earlier. Or, was it an act now? "Please let go."

"I just want to talk, Leah," he said quietly.

Ripping my wrist from his grip, I refused to make eye contact, "There isn't anything to talk about."

"I just don't want to lose you," he said in almost a whisper.

It was at that moment I finally looked at him, "You don't want to lose to David. Just admit it, Derik. This constant fighting has to stop. I'm going to give you space while I make sure that Jack survives through this."

Turning away from him, I began to walk once again towards Jack's room. But he refused to just let me go. I fought every bit of annoyance that I felt towards him. The one person I saw as a big brother was possibly going to die and he showed no concern for it. The only thing he focused on was himself.

"Just hear me out," Derik begged. Reaching out for me.

I swatted his hand away when I turned to face him one last time, "My best friend is possibly going to die, Derik. He was stabbed, beaten, and God knows what else today. He almost lost his life and the only thing you can think about is yourself?" I looked at him in complete disbelief, "You didn't even bother to see how I am doing with all of this. Instead of looking to put your mind at ease, you should be comforting me."

Leaving the conversation at that, I left him standing in the hallway. Watching me walk away. The last thing I wanted was another argument with him. If he had his way, that would be exactly what would happen. Then I would do what ever he wanted to stop people from seeing it escalate.

It was strange with how easily I walked through the halls without getting lost. It was as if I had walked them once before because I didn't get lost once. I didn't realize it until I opened the door to Jack's room, finding it without any problems. The whole thing should have taken me by surprise, but it didn't. What took me by surprise was seeing Margaret sitting next to Jack's bed instead of David.

She looked up at me with sad eyes and a small eyes, "Hello Leah."

"Where is David?" I asked as I walked into the room. Confused about why she was here all of a sudden.

"David still doesn't want to be around me after what I did to him and his sister," she explained as she turned back towards Jack and grabbed his hand, "I know I did the same thing with my baby boy. But I still love them all the same."

She sure had a way of showing it. But that was a thought I needed to keep to myself. Margaret was known for not settling down. Or so I've heard. By the time I was able to comprehend who she was, she was already long gone. There were different rumors that went around for everything she did. Including when she disappeared.

"Why did you leave them all behind if you love them?" I heard myself ask.

She stood up and faced me. A sad smile on her face as she answered, "Would you believe me if I told you that I did it for their protection? Donny isn't the only one who has chosen to go against all that this family stands for. There have been others."

I watched as she turned just enough to look down at Jack's sleeping body. The worry in her eyes were easy to spot because he could possibly not wake up. Just knowing that made me wonder what they were going to do next. They obviously couldn't stay in this house. I'm sure Doc didn't have everything he needed if Jack decided to go south.

"They are going back to New York, aren't they?" I heard myself say.

"Jack can't get the care he needs staying here. He would for sure die," Margaret answered. Then turned to face me once again, "I advice that if you have anything to say to any of the boys, you should do it soon."

"Is Derik going with them?" Again I asked a question.

Margaret looked at me with unsure eyes, "He'll stay if you ask him to."

That was the thing though. I didn't want him to stay. The feeling that he would stay behind when the others left was strong. Judging by his attitude, he wouldn't leave his prize behind for someone else to take. Now I just had to convince him to leave and that was going to be a battle I would most likely lose.

"By the look on your face, you don't want him to stay," Margaret said with a knowing tone. It was as if she read my mind, "Why did you choose him then?"

That was the question I could no longer answer. Admitting that I was manipulated into the relationship just showed that I was weak and naive. I know I should have left sooner. Should have ended things before they got to where they were. Before I lost my innocence and learned that I was going to be a mother. Just hearing that question made me want to turn back time and pick David instead.

The sound of the bedroom door opening made both Margaret and me look. Standing in the doorway was David. He walked in and avoided making eye contact with his mother as he checked on his brother. Margaret looked ready to say something to him, but he dismissed her before she got the chance, "Why are you still here?"

With a sigh and a sad smile directed towards me, Margaret left the room without saying a word. The whole cold interaction made me want to say something to David and scold him for treating his mother the way that he did. But I also knew that he had his reasons for his behavior. If I remember correctly, he explained that she left him at an orphanage to fend for himself. His father never knowing where he was until he was eighteen.

Shortly after Margaret left, I left the room as well. David didn't even try to stop me as he threw himself on the chair next to the bed. I guess it's easier to forget about all of the fighting and danger going on between the two families until someone you loved got hurt. I just hoped that Jack survived and returned to his normal self once again. The whole not knowing wasn't sitting well in the pit of my stomach.

As the door closed behind me, I was faced with Derik leaning against the wall opposite of me. He looked annoyed and angry. My guard instantly went up, waiting for him to say something. But he never did and that was what made the whole situation even more unsettling.

The next words that came out of my mouth even surprised me as I stared him down. This was something that I would not be able to take back and it would for sure start a war between us. "Lets break up," were the words that made him look at me as if he couldn't believe what I had just said.

I said the words more confidently to show that I meant them, "Lets break up, Derik. It's not working out between us."