Defiant Heir (The Heirs 3)

Dad quickly shakes his head. “She’s just here to make sure he gets the best possible care.”

Remembering all the blood, I ask, “How badly is he hurt?”

“He had some internal bleeding, but they stopped it. There’s a cut on his side that needed stitches.”

When Dad pauses, the worry grows in my heart. “His head?”

“He has a hairline fracture. So far, everything looks promising. We have to wait for him to wake up.”

I try to nod my head, but the brace and a tight pain in my neck keep me from moving. “My neck?” I whimper.

Daddy pulls back, and his eyes scan over my face. His gaze is gentle and reassuring as he says, “You have a concussion and whiplash. The doctor said you’ll feel better in a couple of days.”

I can see he’s keeping something from me, and ask, “And?”

Dad brings a hand to my left cheek, and a heartbreaking look mixes with worry. It makes my heartbeat speed up, and I hold my breath, trying to steel myself for the blow to come.

“You have cuts on the side of your neck and on your right cheek. I’ve already found a plastic surgeon who can remove most of the scarring it might leave.”

“Scarring?” I lift my hand, and when I feel the large dressing on the right side of my face, my heart shrinks into a fearful lump. “Is it bad?”

Again, Dad pauses, and it’s all answer I need.

“Oh God,” I gasp as my hand begins to tremble against the bandage. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”

“The plastic surgeon will fix it,” Dad tries to reassure me. “Let’s wait to hear what he says before we panic.”

I nod even though it feels like my world has warped into an unrecognizable mess.

Scars.

I feel petrified, and… a foreign hopelessness makes my chest close up. The realization keeps washing over me like tidal waves, and an awful feeling numbs my insides with dread.

My fingers trace over the dressing until I reach the brace. Apprehension fills every part of me.

What am I going to do if…?

I try to breathe through the worry consuming me, and not able to deal with the fact that I might be scarred for life, I latch onto another fear.

Kao.

“Are you sure Kao will be okay?”

Dad nods. “The doctor is very optimistic for a full recovery.”

And the other car?

“Do you know what happened?” I ask. “The other car? Are the people okay?”

Emotion flashes over Dad’s face. “I haven’t been to the accident scene yet, but the police said it should’ve been a head-on collision. Kao must’ve reacted quick enough because his side of the car took the brunt of the hit. The driver of the truck didn’t make it. They think he fell asleep behind the wheel. There was another vehicle involved, but the driver is fine. She only has whiplash.”

Someone died.

Even though it was that driver’s fault, sadness still bleeds into my heart.

Then Dad’s words sink in, and I ask, “It should’ve been a head-on collision?”

“Yes.” Dad gives me a reassuring smile. “Luckily, it wasn’t. Kao’s a good driver.”

But.

But…

I remember Kao jerking the steering wheel to the right as his arm pinned me to the seat.

He kept me safe.

He knew the truck was going to hit us, and he chose to keep me safe.

Oh God.

I told Kao to take that route. The accident wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t…

I gasp for air as the thoughts shudder through me. “Daddy,” I whimper, my emotions sky-rocketing.

Dad moves forward, wrapping me in a hug again. “You’re both going to be okay.”

I try to shake my head, but again I’m stopped by the brace and pain. “What if… what if…” I sob.

Daddy pulls back and framing my face with his hands, his eyes lock on mine. There’s so much certainty in his gaze. “There are no what-ifs. Kao’s surgery went well. He’s stable. We found the best plastic surgeon for you. Everything will be fine.” Dad lifts a hand and brushes some of my hair back. “We’ll fix everything.”

I’ve never doubted my parents. Not until today.

How will I live with the guilt of telling Kao which road to take?

How will I cope with facial scarring?

And Kao?

Oh, God, please let him be okay.

I don’t know what I’d do if something were to happen to Kao. I’d never forgive myself.Chapter 3FALLONIt’s been a day since the accident, and I’ve finally convinced Dad to get me a wheelchair so I can visit Kao.

Jase, Hunter, and Hana have hardly left my side while Noah, Jade, and Mila are with Kao.

They said he regained consciousness for a minute, but he was out of it. That was last night, and since then, he hasn’t woken up again.

With every passing hour, worry consumes me. It feels like I’ve been thrust into the twilight zone. Nothing makes sense anymore. My emotions are all over the place, making me feel sick to my stomach.