The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
Chapter 131

Flair POV

We entered the private lounge in the hospital and saw Grandfather sitting there morosely, staring down at the ground. As soon as he saw us, he looked relieved. "Grayson, Flair," he said as we glanced around for Charlotte and her mother "I'm glad you both made it." "Where's Charlotte?" Grayson was blunt and to the point.

"She's speaking to the doctor on the other side of the doors. As his wife she has complete say on anything medical that gets done to him," Grandfather said quietly "Her mother is with her. Poor thing was practically hysterical when she got here. I've never seen Charlotte like it." "Any news on his condition?" I asked softly.

There was no hatred in my heart for Johnathon, only pity. Pity he was in this unfortunate situation and sympathy for Charlotte who was no doubt devastated about her husband and his injuries. I felt for her. "Nothing has changed as far as I know," Grandfather said gruffly, bowing his head "they just keep throwing medical jargon at us as though we know what they're saying."

I leaned against Grayson feeling sick. I might not have liked Johnathon much after our divorce but I never would have wished something like this on him.

We heard the swing of the door and half turned as Charlotte came walking in, her eyes red and puffy, her makeup smeared, tears dripping on her cheeks while her mother walked resolutely behind her. She was clinging to a tissue as she approached us and her eyes were watery. "Charlotte, you have our deepest sympathies," I told her quietly while Grayson nodded solemnly next to me.

"Thank you," she said shakily "They just finished performing surgery on him. They say we can see him shortly but...but" she paused, while her mother put a gentle hand on her shoulder "he's in bad shape still" she dissolved into a fresh bout of tears "who could have done something like this? Why didn't they stop?" she wailed as we stood there helplessly "they must have known they hit him, why didn't they stop" she sobbed.

She looked the very epitome of grief. Her eyes were smeared as her mascara ran and her body was trembling as she wept. Even Grayson's eyes were filled with sympathy for his sister. Grandfather cleared his voice "Don't you worry none Charlotte" he said coughing "I have men looking for surveillance cameras near the scene of the accident. I'm sure something will turn up" he said sympathetically.

"Just leave it for the authorities Grandfather" her voice broke "Let them do their jobs. Just worry about poor Johnathon right now" she cracked "What am I going to do if he doesn't make it?" she glanced around and placed a protective hand over her stomach "how can I raise a child without its father?"

Her voice was cracking with emotion. It was impossible not to feel her grief and the pain she was exhibiting. "Oh honey" Karen whispered "I'll help you. You're not alone," she said as Grandfather nodded in agreement.

"We' 'll all help, anyway we can but you have to think positively," I said to Charlotte as she blinked at me "you have to believe that Johnathon is going to make it" I added, "because I know him and he's a stubborn son of a b***h and he's going to do everything in his power to come climbing back to you and the child you're expecting."

Subconsciously my hand went to my stomach. I swore I saw Charlotte's eyes drop to my hand as I quickly moved it away. "She's right dear," Karen said softly "You have to believe that your husband is going to live instead of thinking that the worst is going to happen." Charlotte's lip quivered "Just this morning we argued" she shook her head, tears still trailing down her cheeks "And then this happens. It was such a stupid thing too" she confessed as I gave her a pained look "I can't even remember what it was about" she sobbed "and I would do anything to take it back."

I reached for her hand. "You couldn't have known this would happen," I told Charlotte firmly "and we all argue for one reason or another. Johnathon isn't going to remember that when he wakes up. All he's going to care about is seeing you and making sure your child is okay."

She nodded at me, allowing me to hold her hand which was icy cold. I rubbed it, trying to warm it as she let me, her eyes going back towards the door as though hoping a doctor would come through at any moment.

"He has to be okay" she whispered, closing her eyes for a moment "I need him to be okay."

"He will be" I whispered "I promise you he's going to fight this. Just give it time."

The door opened and everybody turned as a doctor in a white coat came striding in, his hair neatly groomed back and his spectacles glinting in the lights as he looked towards our small group.

"Mrs Deluca?" he asked as Charlotte stiffened.

"I'm here," she said quietly, dropping my hand as the doctor tentatively approached, clipping a clipboard in his hand.

"May I have a word in private? It's in relation to your husband's condition" he said gravely, eyeing the group and us. "Whatever you have to say, you can say it here. This is my husband's family and his ex-wife" Charlotte said bravely, fighting back tears. The doctor nodded, looking taken aback. He cleared his throat, looking as though he wished he was anywhere but here. Just by the expression on his face, I gathered it wasn't anything good. My heart skipped a beat. My fear for Johnathon grew. Grayson grabbed my hand and squeezed it as though he knew exactly how I was feeling and I gave him a grateful glance.

"Your husband's injuries were extensive. Several broken bones which we've had to reset while he's been in surgery. In comparison, those aren't major but when combined with the internal bleeding that we've had to try and prevent from leaking into his lungs and chest cavity, it has presented several other complications" he said looking up from the clipboard.

"Have you fixed the internal bleeding?" I asked pensively as Charlotte turned white.

"We managed to locate the source of the bleed and clamp the artery. But he's lost a lot of blood in the meantime and we've had to do several transfusions."

Silence. Charlotte looked on the verge of fainting. I could feel my own eyes gathering with tears as I fought them back. I felt that I had no right to show such emotion in front of his real wife, but it was difficult not to portray my emotions. Even though I wasn't his wife anymore, part of me would always care about Johnathon.

"He also suffered a massive head injury and we have yet to determine if he has suffered any brain damage as a result," the doctor said adjusting his spectacles "We have to wait for the swelling to go down before we can perform more tests" he explained quietly. Charlotte collapsed onto the nearest chair, her body shaking violently. She held the tissue up to her eyes and wiped them as she glanced up at the doctor who looked at her regretfully. "Unfortunately in cases like this one, the odds of the patient, Mr Deluca, surviving his injuries are not good," he said tightly.

"But there's a chance he'll live," Charlotte said desperately "Tell me there's a chance he'll live" she begged frantically.

"There is always a chance but the chance is small," the doctor told her as she wept "I'm trying to prepare you for the worst-case scenario Mrs. Deluca" he added "As of right now your husband is out of surgery and recovering in the ICU." "Can, Can I go see him" Charlotte stammered.

The doctor sighed. "I can escort you to him but be aware that he is not responding to verbal commands. He can neither hear you nor see you. He's unaware of his surroundings. I'm sorry to tell you that as of this moment your husband" he paused and looked back at the clipboard, shaking his head "is in a coma, one that we can't entirely be sure of that he's going to wake up from."

More silence. Grandfather reached over and patted Charlotte sympathetically on the shoulder.

"Grandfather" Charlotte sniffled as he gave her a quick embrace "My husband..."

"Still needs you," Grandfather said sharply "Don't give up just yet. Good lord, how is he meant to have a fighting chance if you don't have one yourself? Treat him the same as you've always done. Spend some time with him" he advised Charlotte who was nodding dumbly at him, still in shock "act like he can still hear you. Go and be a wife" he advised Charlotte as she wiped her tears away "and remember that you are a Deluca," he said icily "so chin up, straighten that posture and remember who the hell you are. We don't give up on anybody" he added frostily "let alone family."

It was a touching speech that had the desired effect. Charlotte straightened up, her tears faded, and fixed her composure. Her mother quickly wiped the smears of makeup off her face. The doctor waited patiently, pushing his spectacles up his nose. Charlotte turned to him. "I'm ready to go see my husband," she said meekly.

He nodded and made a gesture for her to follow him. I watched as she walked out the door, leaving Karen behind, a look of such vulnerability on her face that it moved me to tears. If this had happened to Grayson I would be beyond devastated. "Is there anything we should do for her?" I asked.

Karen shook her head but it was Grandfather that spoke. "The best thing we can do is be here for her and Johnathon and catch the son of a b***h that did this to him. We can enact our own brand of justice on the perpetrator" he gave a cynical grin "After all the Deluca's have their own style and way of doing things."

Grayson squeezed my hand "Are you okay" he murmured.

"A little shaken" I whispered back as Karen turned away "Do you think this has anything to do with...?" I trailed off.

"I don't know but I do think you should go and see Johnathon once Charlotte is finished. I know this must be upsetting to you" he said quietly.

"Thank you, Grayson."