I nodded. Then I thought of Mia. “Can I go?”
“Stay in the hospital until you’re told otherwise.”
I rushed toward the triage area. “Where’s Mia?” I asked Peggy.
“She’s been taken upstairs to get her away from the chaos.”
“Is she conscious?”
“Yes. She’s going to be fine. They want to keep her a little bit. She had a concussion and some bruising. They’re going to x-ray to check for any breaks or fractures, but she’ll be fine.”
I ran my fingers through my hair.
Peggy watched me. “Does she know?”
“Know what?” I said, looking at her.
“That you love her.”
My head whipped from side to side looking for someone who might have overheard. “I’m not—”
“I won’t tell. I know it’s against the rules. But it’s a dumb one if you and her—”
“There’s no me and Mia.” I was probably too adamant. Peggy’s expression suggested that she didn’t believe me.
“Have you called her dad?” I asked.
“Yes. Eli is bringing him.”
“Fucking Eli. This is his fault.”
“What?”
I waved her question away as I saw Eli and Jim walk in. “Excuse me.”
I strode up to Eli, grabbed him, and pushed him hard against the wall.
“Nick,” I heard Jim exclaim.
“You did this, you fucking loser,” I seethed at Eli. The wash of red rage began to fill my brain again. This is the man I’d take out all my anger.
“I wasn’t even here—”
“No, you sent your henchmen, and they hurt your sister. Are you happy now? Has your pathetic envy of me finally got you what you wanted? Your sister could have been killed. Good job Eli.”
Hands gripped my arms and pulled me off. “Dr. Foster, that’s enough.”
“What are you talking about,” Jim asked as the two security guards pulled me off of Eli.
“He’s crazy,” Eli sneered.
“Do you know what your mob said? They called me a quack and said I killed your mother. That’s you, Eli. You fuelled their fear and hate, and now your sister is paying for it.”
“Is what Nick saying true?” Jim asked Eli.
Eli’s eyes turned venomous. “You would side with him.”
“I’m not siding with anyone. I want the truth.” Jim was weak from his Parkinsons, but his eyes were focused and deadly serious. “You’re my son and I love you, but if you’re a part of this—”