~~~

SEBASTIAN.

Life has a funny way of returning to you.

We didn't get an hour to savor the moment I expressed my desire for her.

Her body stiffened under my grip as she spoke on the phone. On instinct, I tightened my hold on her. Someone was screaming and crying on the phone, but I couldn't get much out of it because she collapsed on the ground and slipped out of my hands just as I was about to ask what had happened.

When I got down on my knees and held her shoulder, my heart thudded against my chest.

"Ells!"

Something was wrong, so wrong that I could feel my heart breaking.

"Ells, baby," I said softly, tucking her hair behind her ears and cradling her small face between my palms.

Her beautiful face.

She was expressionless as she stared into the abyss. But the moment her gaze met mine, I knew I'd lost it. I felt as if I had been shot. And all of her anguish had been poured out on me.

Her eyes had lost all of their life. They were no longer as bright as the sunrise. It appeared as if she had lost everything and was clinging to life by a thin thread. Her eyes welled up with unshed tears, but they didn't fall, as if they, too, were perplexed by everything that was going on.

"What happened, baby?" I softly inquired as I drew her small body onto my lap. She gripped my suit collars tightly but said nothing.

I ran my fingers through her hair and clung to her for dear life. Not only was I calming her, but I was also calming myself. I would fucking kill whoever made her feel this way.

I felt a tear fall on my hands, but I kept quiet and tightened my grip on her. I was desperately trying to convey to her that I was with her and that God knows how much it hurts me to see her like that.

"It's dad," she said quietly, a lone tear dropping from her eye.

I clenched my teeth and closed my eyes, already knowing what was going to happen.

"Dad had a heart attack, and he's in the hospital," she whimpered.

And just like that her screams echoed in the hall, as if it had finally made sense to her. My heart was breaking all over again as her sobs and cries grew louder. Her tears splattered on my shirt, but I didn't care. All I could think about was how helpless I felt. I wish I could help in some way. I wish I could take away all of her suffering and shower her with happiness.

But I couldn't do it. I was helpless, and I hated feeling that way. I fucking hated this feeling.

"Take me to him," she sobbed, attempting to wiggle free from my grip.

"Take me to him!" she yelled, slamming her fist into my chest. But I kept her pressed up against me, tightening my hold on her.

Her sobs grew louder as her shoulders shook violently in my arms. I could feel eyes on me, but all the murmurs soon drowned out.

I knew someone was in charge of the crowd because this section of the venue was quickly cleared, but I could still hear the party going on in the distance.

"What the fuck, happened?" Someone muttered next to me. I opened my eyes to see the person I didn't want to see right now.

Jeremy Carter.

He was standing there with a scowl on his face.

Fucking Asshole.

"It's none of your fucking business," I said, gritting my teeth.

"How come the fuck-" Another male grunt cut him off.

Fucking fantastic.

"What the fuck did you do to her?" Maver hissed, attempting to yank Ella from my arms. But with a tick on my jaw, I tightened my grip.

Bastard.

"What the fuck did you do to her?" He exclaimed, still trying to yank her away from me as I let out an animalistic growl.

As much as I appreciated his concern for her, I didn't fucking appreciate it right now.

"Don't fucking touch her," I yelled, scooping her light body against mine.

Ells was now weeping quietly against me.

"You fucking asshol-" Ells cut him off with a soft voice.

"Mave," she said softly.

"Yes, Ells, I'm right here," he said softly as he clutched her hand.

I let out a low growl, but he ignored me.

"It's Dad," she sobbed, "he's- he's in the hospital, he had a heart attack."

As she began to shake against me again, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Everything will be fine, honey. He will be fine " He looked at her softly and whispered.

Honey, my fucking ass.

She nodded and sniffed.

"He has to be okay."

"He'll be fine, baby," I murmured as I ran my fingers through her hair.

She leaned against me, her eyes closed.

Maver frowned at the action but said nothing.

"Come on, let's get you to him," he said, standing on his toes.

What the fuck?

"I'm taking her to him," I said, gritting my teeth.

"She doesn't want you there," he snorted, rolling his eyes.

Only I know how much control it takes for me not to punch his fucking face right now.

"Guys," Jeremy sighed as he rubbed his brow.

"I want him," she said softly, tightening her grip on me.

"I want you to go with me," She whispered, staring right into my eyes;

"I know it's- it's a lot-" she swallowed, "But I would really appreciate-"

"It will be my honor, baby," I said softly as I stroked her cheeks with the back of my hand.

She gave me a small sad smile before snuggling up to me and leaning her head against my chest. I kissed her forehead.

God knew how fucking honoured I felt. It's as if I was welcomed somewhere and that not everyone will reject me. Vulnerability washed over me, but none of my expressions revealed it. I felt wanted, and for the first time in many years, I enjoyed the desire I received from someone.

"Thank you," she said softly as she kissed my chest.

I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her hair. I despised seeing her like this, vulnerable and broken.

While the rest of the people in the room were anything but surprised. Jeremy stood there lazily, unconcerned about anything, but I could see a glint of longing in his eyes before it vanished when his eyes met mine and sent me a smirk.

The jerk.

I clenched my teeth, turned away from him, and hugged Ella even tighter against me.

I know it feels like I'm claiming my territory, but I can't fuckin' forget how his hands were all over her just moments ago.

He was extremely fortunate to be able to dance with my woman tonight because he will not be able to fucking do so again in the near future.

Idiot, bastard, fucking asshole.

Fuck, I hate him.

Maver, on the other hand, had a scowl on his face while on the phone with someone.

"I'll come along then," he grumbled as he removed the phone from his ear.

"That's not necessary," I said calmly.

Why can't I be alone with my girl for a while?

"That is necessary-"

"Oh my goodness!" Someone screamed, capturing all of our attention.

Jen was running madly towards us, her heels clicking against the floor, and for a split second I thought she was going to fall on her face.

"Be careful," Maver grumbled, clutching her arm.

She rolled her eyes and took a breath before falling to her knees and attempting to pull Ella from my arms.

I growled quietly, tightening my grip on my girl.

Jen rolled her eyes and muttered something along the lines of "overprotective men."

"I heard what happened. Everything will be fine, honey," Jen said softly as she tucked Ella's hair behind her ears.

And, as if everything had returned to her, she began shaking violently against me once more. Her sobs echoed down the hall, and my heart continued to break.

Ella took my hands off her back and hugged Jen, sobbing in her chest. And despite the fact that all I wanted to do was bring her back to my chest, I didn't.

"I'm so scared," she sobbed between sobs.

"I swear Ells, it's going to be fine," Jen said quietly, her eyes wide with worry. She locked her gaze on mine, and I knew she and I were thinking the same thing.

What if something bad happens that we don't want to encounter?

I will lose her forever.

Nope, nothing like that is going to happen.

"You guys can take my Jet; it will arrive in 5 minutes," Jeremy said, looking at me.

I really fucking wanted to disagree and say I'd use mine, but I knew my Jet was miles away and would take at least an hour to arrive.

I couldn't even open my mouth. Maver spoke up quickly,

"Thank you so much, that would mean the world," he said, glaring at me, which I returned.

Ella nodded, "thank you," she said softly, a grateful smile on her face.

Ella turned to face me and stared at me; I knew she wanted me to thank him because of the way she looked at me.

This woman is going to be the death of me.

"Thank you," I grumbled, as I looked at him.

My girl smiled before leaning back against me.

I'd do it a million times over if I could see a smile on her face.

We all dispersed after a while. Ells gently asked Mave and Jen not to accompany us because they had personal commitments to the company and it would not make a good impression on the other branches if they left the gala like that.

Maver and Jen sighed and agreed after much pleading and begging.

"She has faith in you. I'm not sure why, but please look after her

"Maver grumbled low enough for me to only hear it.

His overprotectiveness also raised concerns in my mind.

And I still wasn't sure if he was her friend or if he was infatuated with her. Not that it would surprise me, because only a crazy person would not fall for Arabella Oliver Brown or someone who is already madly in love.

I gave a stern nod.

The air was tense when we boarded the plane, Ells was unusually quiet, and I remained silent. I was alone with her. Her tears streamed down from her cheeks, slicing my heart, and when her whimpers became more audible, I drew her onto my lap and pressed her face against my chest.

We didn't say anything to each other, but her sobs remained and her gentle breath resounded in the air, after a while, she dozed off.

We arrived in Bellevue, Washington DC, three hours later. Ells had stirred just as we were about to land and tightened her grip on me.

Her emotionless, quiet body filled the entire ride to the hospital. Despite the fact that tears streamed down her cheeks.

Her sight broke everything inside of me, but I couldn't do anything about it. I was helpless for the second time in my life, the first time when I had no say over the day I was sent to boarding school.

Ells rushed out of the car as soon as we arrived at the hospital, while I stepped out and asked the driver to keep the change.

Her sobs had already grown louder, and the sight was splitting me in two.

"Mr. Oliver Brown, he was admitted 3 hours ago," I hurriedly told the receptionist, as Ells sobbed and banged the elevator buttons.

"And you are?" Lazily, the receptionist inquired.

My rage had taken over, and all I could see was red.

"Fucking bitch, just tell me where he is; he's the father of my girl. And she urgently needs to see him. And if you don't tell me where he is, I'll fucking make sure you lose your fucking job!" I gritted my teeth and growled.

My gaze returned to her sobbing form; she was sobbing uncontrollably, and everyone was staring.

I wanted to gauge out of these mother fuckers eyes for staring at my girl like that.

"He is in the intensive care unit. third floor." The receptionist whimpered.

I quickened my pace and held Ells in my arms, sending one last glare to the bitch.

Ella's screams echoed down the hall the moment we exited the elevator.

"Mum!" She sobbed and ran into the arms of a woman who resembled her, I felt like I was seeing an older version of Ella.

A teen in a black jacket stood in the corner, and for a split second, I thought I saw Jake standing there, only thinner and younger version. His hair was unruly, like his brother's, but he had a cut just above his jaws. The look alone revealed how much he resembled Jake in every way.

It's the youngest of the siblings.

"Els," he said softly, bringing her to his chest.

"How is he doing?" With tear-filled eyes and a broken voice, she whispered.

Someone put a hand on my shoulder and came up beside me.

"Brother."