Two Times the Charm (Clara and Emmett) novel Chapter 464

Clara stood there, her body trembling with anger, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned pale.

She wanted to scream, to tell everyone that she hadn't betrayed Emmett, that she hadn't flirted with another man!

She could defend herself all she wanted, but the truth was that she couldn't handle the consequences of the truth being revealed...

No matter what anyone said, she had to endure it. There was simply no other way!

...

The hospital was a place of antiseptic smells and an undercurrent of tension so thick you could almost see the Grim Reaper lurking in the corners.

Emmett had no idea how long he'd been out. All he knew was the sharp sting of pain that made him furrow his brow unconsciously.

Suddenly Emmett's eyes snapped open!

But then, assaulted by the blinding sunlight streaming in from outside, he squinted his eyes shut again, his whole body aching as he frowned.

"Emmett, you're awake!" came his mother's voice, laced with excitement and joy.

"You're finally up, thank God! Quick, call the doctor! Tell them my boy's awake."

Emmett's brow was still furrowed with confusion. "Where am I?"

"The hospital, you silly boy. You passed out. Did you know that? It was critical for a while; the doctors couldn't figure out why you passed out. You scared the hell out of me! I thought I was going to lose you!"

"I... passed out?"

Emmett strained to recall his last memory, which seemed to involve Clara.

But what happened after that was a complete blank.

"Why did I pass out? Have they figured it out yet?"

"Not yet, but don't you worry a bit. As long as I'm here, nothing bad will happen to you. I'd bankrupt myself to keep you safe!"

"The doctors said your condition is mysterious; they can't find a cause. Who knows when it might happen again? You made me worry like hell, and you're acting as if it's nothing!"

"Don't worry. I'm not going to die."

Despite his insistence, as Emmett tried to stand, a wave of dizziness hit him, and he stumbled, sinking back onto the hospital bed.

Sophia caught him, her anxiety palpable. "See! I told you not to get up on your own."

Leah stood by silently, not daring to add anything, just trying to appear obedient.

Now that Newell felt powerless, he had no choice but to brace himself and see how Emmett would fare.

"I'm fine."

"Still think you're okay?" Patrick chimed in. "Emmett, you should listen to the doctor. Rest up for now. Isn't Ricardo handling things at the office? And if it's really necessary, you can send Matt to help him out. If there's a major decision to be made, I'll step in and take a look for you."