Chapter 19

Arabella P.O.V

I struggled to stand up but my legs felt heavy for they could barely lift me up, I just stayed in my bent position for a while to get myself back. Maybe this was happening due to the shock of seeing Asher have what looked like a panic attack that had drained me and also my lack of sleep, I just needed to rest my leg for a bit.

"Are you okay?" Arlo asked, his hand fidgeting while staring at the ceiling but pointing toward my dad on the sick bay. I knew what he meant: How are you holding up after hearing about your father's illness?

"Yes, I am," I replied. Silence settled between us, thick and uncomfortable. After what happened today at the pub, he had barely looked at me.

"I... I'll be out of town for a while tomorrow, I only stayed because of my brother's wedding and …you but I have pressing things to attend to," Arlo said, his words fumbling and his fingers twitching.

“Why, so soon, can't it wait?” these were the questions I wanted to ask him but I couldn't bring myself to so what I just said was

"Oh," I muttered, as I forced myself to stand. I wanted to take a closer look at him for it might be the last time I might see him. Summoning my last bit of strength, I stood up, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me. My hand clutched the bed stand for support. I fought to keep the tears at bay. I had barely spent a week with him, but I knew I was going to miss him.

My legs trembled as I stood, and it took all my effort to keep from collapsing. I glanced at Arlo, trying to read his expression, but he wouldn't meet my eyes. The weight of everything felt unbearable, from Asher to my father and Arlo. Arlo shifted uncomfortably, his gaze still fixed on some point above my head. "I... I didn't plan on leaving so soon, but I have to."

I nodded, unable to trust my voice. My throat was tight, and I felt like I might choke if I tried to speak. Instead, I focused on breathing, on staying upright.

Arlo finally looked at me, his eyes filled with something I couldn't quite decipher. “I will miss you,” Arlo said.

“Oh,” I said, for that was the only word I could register right now. But I knew I would miss him a lot, his golden messy hair, his crinkling eyes, his smiles, and the way he called my name.

“After hearing your father's news, I just came to see how you are doing before I go,” he said.

“Oh,” I murmured. My vision blurred, and standing felt impossible. Everything around me was fading, first doubling, then growing dim. My legs wobbled, barely able to support my weight, and my body felt too heavy to hold up.

I tried to grip the bed stand to steady myself, but my fingers slipped. The room spun, and I felt myself starting to fall. Suddenly, Arlo was there, catching me just before I hit the ground. His arms were strong and sure, but my awareness was slipping away.

I heard him shout for the doctor, his voice urgent and filled with worry. It was the last thing I registered before everything went dark, and I lost consciousness.

"Is she awake?” a man's voice asked. The voice woke me up from sleep. I struggled to open my eyes, but the bright sunlight made my eyes wince. When I finally managed to crack them open, I was met with a shocking sight, Mr. Blackhood was sitting right in front of me. My mind raced as I tried to process why he was here, and why I was here. I must be dreaming, I thought. But when I opened my eyes again, he was still there. Then the memories of how I lost consciousness came to me.

“Finally you are awake, I was getting a bit worried, how are you?” Mr Blackhood asked.

“ I am okay” I managed to mutter, as I looked around to figure out where I was, I saw Asher his eyes were slightly open but when he saw me, and quickly shut his eyes.

“ Thank goodness, you have been sleeping for the last ten hours, your mom went home to change and also rest a bit, while Miss Thompson, would be bringing you and Asher's clothes, so you can change into something new and clean,” he said, while looking at my ball gown

I was wondering why I was in a hospital bed and why was I in a room with Asher, it felt shocking because this was the first time we had shared a room.

“ I am okay now,” I said as I tried getting up, but Mr Blackhood gently pushed me back.

“ Oh no, you aren't okay, the doctor said you have low blood pressure, caused by stress sleep deprivation, and lack of rest, so you need a lot of rest, you and Asher,” he said as he turned to Asher, who was still pretending to be asleep, for I could still see his fumble a bit.

“Can I get another room, at least, I can rest properly and also I might be a burden to Asher?” I asked politely

“ Oh nonsense, you are married to him so of course you won't be a burden to him and more importantly you too need to spend time together, at least so I can have grandchildren,” he said, with a smirk on his face, as he looked at my tummy.

“ Right now, I need to leave you to rest and I also have some important things to attend to,” he said, as he looked at the watch,

“ Asher I will be on my way,” he said, as he looked at Asher, he knew Asher wasn't asleep.

“ And please take very care of her, I don't want any complaints, be on your behavior,” he said to Asher as he proceeded but then he stopped.

“ Since you won't be busy with any company work, as you are on probation, you and Arabella, would be going on a honeymoon, so you can get to know each other, as soon as you are discharged,” he said and then he left.