Chapter 4

Anna's POV

A man in a white coat walked in, followed by an elegantly dressed woman in her late forties. Nathan glanced at me before leading them both toward the window, where they spoke in hushed voices.

I instinctively covered my ears with both hands and turned my face away, not wanting to overhear their conversation.

A few minutes later, the elegant woman approached me with a gentle smile.

"Are you Miss Anna Hartwell? I'm Edward's mother, Patricia Sterling."

"Hello, Mrs. Sterling."

I gripped the hem of my gown and tried to smile. Maybe she'd hear me out. I hadn't been able to get anyone else in this hospital to listen.

"Nathan tells me you need help."

My knees gave way as soon as she asked. "Mrs. Sterling, please. I need you to call the police."

"Your father signed the consent form. Simms put in your chart that you couldn't make the decision yourself, and the hospital took your father's word for it as your health care agent. We can call the police. But once they get you out of here, where will you go?"

She said it gently enough that I had to stop and think about my answer.

I clutched the fabric against my chest. It felt as though someone were squeezing my heart, making it difficult to breathe.

I could understand Vivian and Isabelle being so cruel, but Harold was my own father. How could he stand by and watch me being pushed into this?

Even if the police got me out, Julian knew every place I might go. I tried to think of someone I could call who wouldn't tell him where I was. I couldn't come up with a single name.

"I can offer you somewhere to go, if you're willing to hear me out."

I quickly looked up.

"What solution?"

"Marry my son and become part of the Sterling family."

I stared at her. I'd asked her to call the police.

"What?"

"My son hasn't woken up. No one can tell me if he will. Either way, you'll have a home with us, and we'll treat you like family. Do you think Julian would come after you with the Sterlings behind you?"

The choice took me all of a second.

"All right. I'll do it."

I won't agree!

An angry male voice suddenly crashed into my mind, making my ears ring.

My whole body jerked, and I whipped my head toward the hospital bed.

Had he woken up?

But Edward was lying perfectly still, his eyes closed and his face showing no sign of consciousness.

His lips hadn't moved this time either.

I hesitated for a few seconds before turning to the people beside me.

"Did any of you... just hear Mr. Sterling speak?"

"No."

They exchanged confused glances.

"He's been unresponsive for three months," Nathan said.

I furrowed my brows. It was strange that I seemed to be the only one who could hear him.

I looked from Edward to his mother. She hadn't heard a word of it. For the moment, I needed her offer more than I needed to understand what was happening.

"Have the doctor check on Edward. Nathan, get Anna's information and call our attorneys. I want the marriage paperwork handled today."

"What? Right now?"

Edward couldn't so much as lift his hand. I had no idea how they planned to get his signature.

"Nathan will handle it. Come with me. You can stay at Sterling Manor."

I followed her into the hall.

She glanced at the oversized hospital gown I was wearing, took off her own coat, and gently draped it over my shoulders.

"Thank you."

The coat carried a faint fragrance. Its warmth slowly spread through my body, and my nose began to sting. I almost burst into tears.

For a second I thought about what my mother might have done if she'd found me in this gown.

"You can call me Patricia. Or Mom, if you ever feel comfortable with that."

She turned toward me with a gentle smile.

My throat tightened. I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn't come.

"It's all right. There's no rush. Take your time getting used to it."

She didn't pressure me. Instead, she took my hand and led me out of the room.

Just as I reached the door, that familiar voice rang out again, filled with uncontrollable anger.

Anna Hartwell, stop right there!

I froze.

"What's wrong, Anna?" Patricia asked, looking puzzled.

"Did... did you hear that?"

I asked cautiously, my voice trembling. If the voice I'd heard earlier had only been a hallucination brought on by shock, how could I explain what had just happened?

"No, I didn't."

She looked around in confusion before turning to Nathan.

"Did you hear anything?"

Nathan shook his head.

To ensure Edward could rest undisturbed, the hospital had arranged for him to stay in one of its quietest wards. The corridor was completely empty. Apart from the few of us, there wasn't another soul in sight.

Anna Hartwell, get me out of this hospital!

His voice came through gritted teeth, his anger growing with every word.

It finally dawned on me.

This wasn't a hallucination.

I could actually hear Edward Sterling's thoughts.

And I could only hear them when I was near him.

I'd barely had time to take in the fact that I'd come back. Now I had something else to make sense of. I could hear Edward, and no one else in that hallway could.

I kept my eyes on Patricia. I didn't want her wondering what I was smiling about. For once I knew something that might give me an advantage.

Anna Hartwell, can you hear me?

There was a hint of urgency in his voice.

I cleared my throat and turned to Patricia.

"How about... we take him home to recover?"

Patricia looked startled and immediately shook her head.

"No. Edward needs to stay in the hospital for treatment until he wakes up."

"You're right."

I sighed, pretending to be disappointed, though I was secretly quite pleased.

I said it on purpose so Edward could hear me.

I'd asked. He could take it up with his mother.

The shock of my narrow escape hadn't even worn off, and now, in the blink of an eye, I'd somehow gained a husband-to-be.

I'd woken up on an operating table that morning. I was about to leave the hospital with a husband. I still hadn't had anything to eat.

All I wanted was the protection of the Sterling family. I didn't need a husband.

Julian had taught me that lesson the hard way. I would never put my faith in another man again.

Anna Hartwell!

Edward's voice dragged out my name, each syllable sounding as though it were being forced through clenched teeth. He was practically seething.

I pretended not to hear a thing and kept my eyes straight ahead as I followed Patricia out.

After all, no one but me could hear him.