Chapter 527: Resigned
"If Kyla keeps herself in line and stops causing problems, then out of respect for what we once had, she’ll still have a place in the Jenson family.
"But if she keeps sneaking around and doing filthy, shameful things, Dad, then you’ll have to make a firm choice when the time comes.
"Even if it breaks Mom’s heart, we have to drive Kyla out of this family, and if possible, out of Cetherland too, so she never dares show up in front of us again!
"That’s the only way to keep the family safe and to cut the damage down as much as we can.”
Dominic’s words cut through the air like ice. Because of Kyla’s lies, he had turned his back on his mentor and even his own sister. It had reached the point where they could never face each other again. He hated Kyla so much he wished he could crush the life out of her with his own hands. But the truth burned worse than his anger.
The feelings he had once given her had not been false. Before the mask slipped, Dominic and the others had treated Kyla as their sister. They had sheltered her, adored her, and cherished her. They had all grown up side by side. That bond was carved into their blood and soul, something that could never be cut away without tearing themselves apart. So for Blair’s sake, and for the years of love they had shared, Foster forced himself to allow this single act of cruelty.
If she ever tried again, there would be no forgiveness.
“I stand with Dominic’s decision.”
The others expressed no doubt.
“I understand. If she does it again, we’ll go with Dominic’s plan.”
Russell’s words had barely left his lips when the sharp sound of his phone tore through the room. He glanced at the screen. Blair’s name glowed against the glass.
He answered at once, his voice warm and eager. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong? Are you having a good time?”
“Mr. Jenson, something’s happened. Please, you need to come to the hospital right away…” The panic in her voice slammed into him, and his breath came short and hard.
“I’m on my way right now!”
Foster and the others froze with worry. “What happened? Dad, what’s going on with Mom?”
“We’ll talk while we move. Let’s get to the hospital, fast!”
When they rushed into the hospital, Russell sprinted toward the doctor in charge, his voice breaking. “Tell me the truth, Doctor. How’s my wife?”
“Mr. Jenson, everyone, you need to prepare yourselves… Her life isn’t in danger, but part of the ceiling collapsed on her right leg. We have to operate immediately.”
Russell’s face drained of color. “What did you just say?”
Their hearts nearly froze still. Her right leg… Shattered beneath a falling ceiling… It meant Blair might never walk the same again. A woman with her pride would never bear to wake up to that.
Dominic bit down on his tongue so hard the taste of blood filled his mouth, dragging his mind back into focus. “Doctor, are you saying my mom’s leg cannot be saved?”
“We’ll do everything we can. The worst case is amputation. But if there’s even the slightest hope, we’ll fight to save her leg.”
Russell’s shock broke into tears. He clutched the doctor’s sleeve with shaking hands. “Doctor, I’m begging you. No matter what it costs, no matter what it takes, save my wife’s leg!”
“The operating room is ready.”
“Good. I’ll head in right away.”
“Mr. Jenson, please don’t worry. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”
The doctor vanished through the doors of the surgical room. The red light above the door clicked on, washing the hallway in its glow.
Russell and his sons dropped onto the hard benches, crushed under the weight of despair.
“This should never have happened. That ceiling should never have collapsed. Damn it, I should have stopped Blair. I knew something would go wrong if she went out with Kyla today. I felt it, I knew it, and still I let her go. Why didn’t I stop her?”
He tore at his hair with both hands and hammered his fists against his thighs, each strike driven by guilt and rage. His sons felt the pain like knives to their hearts. Howard grabbed him before he could hurt himself any further.
“Dad, nobody wanted this. The only thing we can do now is pray for the surgery to work.”
“If Mom makes it through, but you fall apart, it’ll cut her even deeper.”
Wade’s steady words pulled Russell back from the edge. His fists stilled. His shaking slowed. Yet his face was still wet with tears, and the torment in his eyes gave him away. He would rather be broken himself than see his wife suffer a single wound.
Please, God, hear this man’s plea. Please, save Blair’s leg.
Just then, a nurse approached with a chart clutched to her chest. Her voice was careful. “Excuse me… are you Kyla’s family?”
“Kyla … that’s right. How is she?”
In the chaos of Blair’s injury, they had forgotten her completely. She had gone out with Blair, invited by Daphne and Rebecca for a spa day.