I Raised My Husband's Love Child...Then He Shot Me

Chapter 24

Rachel's POV

Tears blurred my vision as I pulled Xavier out of the house.

He tried to stop me, tried to calm me down, but I couldn't even get the words out.

My heart was pounding in my chest, fear swallowing me whole.

I barely managed to tell the driver to take us to the hospital before burying my face in my hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Rachel, talk to me," Xavier urged, his voice filled with concern.

I sucked in a shaky breath. "It's my grandparents," I finally managed to choke out. "The hospital just called. They were in an accident."

Xavier stiffened next to me, his face turning serious. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "We'll be there soon."

The ride to the hospital felt like an eternity. Every second that passed only made my anxiety worse.

My hands were trembling as I clutched my phone, praying for no more bad news.

Xavier kept his hand on mine the whole time, squeezing it in comfort.

When we finally reached the hospital, I bolted out of the car before it even stopped, rushing inside. Xavier was right behind me.

"My grandparents," I gasped at the nurse at the front desk. "John and Linda Blake. Where are they?"

The nurse's expression softened. "They're in surgery. The accident caused some internal bleeding, but the doctors are doing everything they can."

I let out a strangled sob, my knees almost buckling. Xavier caught me before I could fall.

"They're strong, Rachel," he whispered. "They'll pull through."

I clung to him, my tears soaking into his shirt. "I can't lose them, Xavier. They're the only family I have left."

He held me tighter, gently rubbing my back. "You won't lose them. Just have faith."

Time dragged on as we waited outside the emergency ward.

My mind kept spiraling with worst-case scenarios, but Xavier never left my side.

He whispered words of comfort, grounding me when fear threatened to take over.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the doors to the surgical ward swung open, and a doctor stepped out. I jumped to my feet.

"Mrs. Blake?" he asked, pulling down his mask.

"Yes," I breathed. "How are they?"

The doctor offered a small smile. "They made it through surgery. They're stable now."

A wave of relief washed over me, and I exhaled shakily. "Can I see them?"

The doctor nodded. "They've been moved to a private room. Follow me."

I practically sprinted down the hallway, Xavier keeping pace next to me.

When we stepped into their room, I felt my heart seize.

My grandparents were lying in their hospital beds, battered but alive. "Rachel," my grandmother said weakly, offering me a soft smile. "You're here."

I rushed to her side, gripping her hand tightly. "Of course I'm here! You scared me half to death!"

She chuckled. "It was just a minor accident, sweetheart."

Tears streamed down my face. "That doesn't make it better. I was so scared."

My grandfather reached for my hand. "We're fine, Rachel. You don't need to cry."

But I couldn't stop. Seeing them like this, covered in bandages, broke my heart.

Xavier cleared his throat and stepped forward. "I'm glad you're both okay."

My grandmother smiled warmly at him. "Xavier, dear. How long have you been walking? And why didn't Rachel tell us?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but Xavier spoke first. "I should explain."

He took a deep breath, his expression darkening. "Three years ago, I was in the same accident that killed my mother. I should have died that day, too. But I survived—barely." My grandparents' faces fell as they listened.

Xavier continued, "The injuries left me crippled. The doctors said I wouldn't walk again, and my brain was affected. I… wasn't myself for a long time."

My grandmother squeezed his hand. "Oh, sweetheart…"

"It took a year before I started recovering," Xavier admitted. "And once I did, I realized I had to keep pretending."

"Pretending?" my grandfather repeated, confused.

Xavier's eyes grew dark. "Whoever killed my mother wanted me dead too. If they knew I had recovered, they would've finished the job. So, I kept up the act while searching for the truth."

My grandparents exchanged a concerned look before gazing at him with sympathy. "We're so sorry, Xavier," my grandmother said softly. "You've been carrying that burden alone for so long."

Xavier gave a small smile. "Not anymore." He glanced at me, and my heart twisted.

I reached for his hand, squeezing it tight. "We'll find the truth together."

The next morning, after the doctors confirmed my grandparents were stable, they were discharged.

I insisted on paying the hospital bills, so I headed to the billing department while Xavier made arrangements to get them home.

As I walked past the doctor's office, I overheard voices.

I hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but one voice made me freeze.

Susan.

My heart skipped a beat as I pressed myself against the wall.

"If you don't give me something to make me bleed, I'll kill your family," she hissed.

My eyes widened in shock.

A male voice—probably the doctor—spoke up, sounding nervous. "Miss, this is dangerous. You're not even pregnant. Taking something like that could harm you."

Not pregnant?

My breath hitched. Susan had been flaunting her supposed pregnancy for weeks, acting like she was carrying Michael's heir. But if what the doctor was saying was true…

She had been lying this whole time.

I pressed my hand over my mouth to stifle a gasp.

"What I do with my body is none of your concern," Susan snapped. "Just give me the damn medicine."

The doctor hesitated. "Miss, I strongly advise against—"

"Now!" Susan snarled.

I clenched my fists. So, this was her game. She had never been pregnant in the first place. But why fake a pregnancy? And why was she so desperate to pretend she was having a miscarriage?

Anger and disgust churned in my chest. Susan was a liar—a manipulator. And now, I had proof.

I needed to tell Xavier.

But as I turned to leave, my foot brushed against a cleaning cart in the hallway.

The wheels squeaked.

I sucked in a sharp breath.

Silence.

Then—

"Who's there?" Susan's voice rang out.

I didn't wait to see if she'd come looking. I spun around and hurried away, my heart racing.

I had to get out of here before she realized I'd overheard everything.