Read The Billionaire and I (Part Two) for Free Online Page B

eyes seemed intent on disobeying.
    “Leila! You have to stay awake!”
    She leaned down like she was giving me a hug. I barely felt her touch me.
    My eyelids felt so heavy. The darkness didn't swallow me. This time, I swallowed it.
    ***
    I n the dark it was warm.
    Comfortable.
    Safe.
    But there was something scratching at an unseen door. An itch that I couldn't help but scratch. The tickle felt like whispers on my skin. A delicate tap in my ears.
    I found my face somewhere. Rubbed my lips together. The darkness turned into sparks and the tap in my ears wasn't tapping at all. It was voices.
    "Cheryl, don't make me regret calling you."
    "Oh, please. You think that you could keep me away? She's my baby! And it's not absurd  to see the silver lining in all this."
    "You guys should really keep it down-"
    "This isn't about silver linings. First, I want to make sure Leila's okay."
    "I'm her mother, you think I don't want to make sure she's okay?!"
    I blinked, the muscles in my face moving like molasses. I knew those voices. The light hurt, but I pushed through it and the room came into focus.
    I saw Megan first, turned toward the window and biting her nails to nubs. She was still wearing her spandex black top and pink bottom, but daylight was streaming through the window. My eyes flitted to the foot of my bed and the word 'Mom' rose in my throat. She was standing there, dressed in one of her velour jumpsuits. Her dark hair hung in pristine ringlets, like she’d gotten her hair done for some special occasion. She wasn’t happy though. Her mouth was locked in a scowl, pointed at my husband. Jacob was in a wrinkled charcoal gray shirt, half untucked, hair wild and an expression on his face that told me that he was seriously struggling to keep his cool.
    My lips made an O when I tried to form the words, but the 'what' got caught somewhere and came out as a wheeze instead. Megan was still dressed for the gym, but I looked down and saw I was in a white, checkered hospital gown. Panic rippled across me when I saw the IV sticking out of my arm.
    "What the hell is going on here!" It came out significantly quieter than my intended shout, but it was loud enough to be heard.
    Every head snapped in my direction.
    Jacob rushed to me first, relief flooding his face. "Oh baby, you're awake! Thank God. Cheryl, call the nurse."
    My mother hustled to the other side of the bed, her perfume filling my nostrils. She reached out and pressed the back of her hand against my forehead. "You want to be in charge, you call the nurse." The bite in her voice disappeared as she grinned down at me. "Oh Leila. We have the most wonderful news-"
    "I love you to death Mrs. Montgomery, but if you finish that sentence I may have to tackle you." Megan appeared at the foot of the bed with a look that told me she was seriously considering assaulting my mother.
    Jacob was glaring at my mother like if Megan didn't do it, he would.
    I brought my free hand to my head, all of it too much to take.
    "See!" my mother huffed. "You all are overwhelming her. I think-"
    " I think that you and Megan need to step out in the hall so I can speak to my wife." Jacob's voice was low and dangerous. Even my mother was rendered speechless for a moment. Just a moment, because that stubborn look returned to her face.
    Megan stepped in, mouthing 'sorry' as she gently guided my mother toward the door. "We're going to grab a coffee. Do you want anything Jacob?"
    He shook his head, taking my hand. "I have all I need right here."
    The door clicked shut after Megan hustled out of the room, dragging my mother behind her like an anchor.
    "But I want to-"
    Even though I still had no idea what was going on, I instantly felt more calm and relaxed when it was just he and I.
    He brought my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss against my knuckles. "You scared the hell out of me."
    I gazed up at him, my heart swelling, aching for him. With all that had happened, I knew that seeing me in the hospital brought up