The Heiress' Revenge

Chapter 179: Save Him

Dante’s POV

"Dante," Ares calls out, breaking the silence. His voice was quiet. "Are we going to tell the kids? Dad and her mother? I mean about her condition."

I shook my head.

I didn’t want to think about that.

I didn’t want to think about anything except her, except the woman lying in this bed.

"I don’t know," I said. "I haven’t thought that far. I can’t think that far. All I can do is sit here and hold her hand and pray that this surgery goes well... I can’t lose her."

"The kids need to know," he said. "They’re already scared that their brother is missing, and even though this information will only add to the fear... they need to know before they start asking questions, already know something is wrong."

I felt a knot form in my stomach.

Asher was still missing. And now their mother was in a hospital bed, fighting for her life.

"The kids can’t know," I said. "Not yet, at least until we know more, until she wakes up. They’ve been through enough and don’t need this too."

Ares nodded slowly. "And her Dad and her mother?"

"Daniel and her mother need to know," I said. "They should be here. They should be with her, but I don’t... I don’t know how to tell them with her mother still recovering, I don’t want to add more to it."

Ares put his hand on my shoulder. "I’ll tell them you have nothing to worry about, I’ll handle it, I promise."

I forced a smile, nodding... "Thank you"

"And I may not know my sister well, but I do know she’s a fighter... she’s going to be okay, don’t worry too much."

I nodded.

But I didn’t believe it.

Not really.

How could I? How could anyone? She was lying in a hospital bed with tubes in her arms and wires on her chest.

Machines beeping.

The door closed behind Ares.

The room was quiet again.

Just me and her.

Just the beeping of the machines.

Just the rise and fall of her chest.

I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Her skin was warm and soft. "Please wake up," I whispered. "Please come back to me, I can’t do this without you. I can’t be a father without you. I can’t be a husband without you. I can’t be anything without you."

No response, just the beeping.

My phone buzzed.

I ignored it.

It buzzed again.

I still ignored it.

It buzzed a third time.

I pulled it out of my pocket.

Ares was calling.

My heart dropped.

Why was he calling? What happened?

I answered. "Ares? What’s wrong?"

"Dante, I just got a call from Marcus. He’s at the warehouse. Where were they holding Asher?"

My heart stopped. "Asher? Is he okay? Is he alive? Tell me he’s alive."

Ares was quiet for a moment.

I thought I was going to die.

I thought my heart was going to stop. Then he spoke. "He’s alive and safe with Marcus. The police got there in time. They stopped Melissa, but she’s... she’s dead, Dante... she was shot, and Angelo was caught."

I should be happy that she got what she deserved in the end, but part of me will always remember the good times we shared together.

"Ares," I said. My voice was cracking. "Are you sure? Is he really okay? Is he hurt? Did they hurt him?"

"He has some bruises and is still shaken, but he’s okay... he’s asking for you and Ariana."

I looked at Ariana, and my heart squeezed.

"I can’t leave her," I said. "I can’t leave Ariana. She needs me. What if she wakes up and I’m not here? Tell him something that would take his mind off."

Ares was quiet for a moment, then he said, "I’ll go pick up Asher. I’ll bring him to the hospital, but don’t worry, I won’t tell him about her condition."

I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. "Thank you"

The line went dead.

I put my phone on the table and looked at Ariana... her pale face.

"Did you hear that?" I asked. "Asher is safe. He’s coming home... our son is coming home."

No response

I took her hand and held it tight. "You have to wake up Ariana. You have to wake up, he’s back now... everything is falling into place...We all need you, I need you."

The door opened, and Ares walked back in.

"I talked to Marcus again," he said. "They’re on their way. Marcus is bringing Asher to the hospital."

I nodded. "And Daniel? Elena? Did you call them?"

Ares nodded. "They’re coming too..."

"Ares," I said. "I’m scared. What if she doesn’t wake up? What if I lose her? What if I have to raise our children alone? What if I have to live the rest of my life without her?"

Ares came to stand beside me, putting his hand on my shoulder. "You won’t... You need to stop worrying and be strong for the children."

I know I sound weak and pathetic, but the idea of losing Ariana shakes me to the core, and it’s the last thing I want for myself or the children.

She can’t love the kids or me.

We need her.

My phone buzzed again.

A text from Marcus.

I looked at Ares. "They’re here."

Ares nodded. "I’ll go get them."

He left.

I began trialing kisses on our entangled hands, hoping she’d respond and wake up., I just needed her to look at me and be okay... I love her too much, it hurts.

I just got her back.

Please.

Please wake up.

Please come back to me.

Please don’t leave me alone.