Page 113 of Secret Heir

“I’m not dying, solnyshko.” Maksim tries to smile, but it comes out as a grimace. “Just a little banged up.”

“You’re bleeding!” Daniel is hysterical now, his voice rising to a scream. “There’s so much blood!” He turns to me, his face bloodless. “Mama, why is there so much blood?”

“He’s going to be okay.” I’m crying too now, unable to stop the tears. “The doctors are coming and they’re going to fix him up.”

Daniel presses his face against Maksim’s chest, sobbing, and Maksim’s shaking arm comes up to hold his son.

“It’s okay,” Maksim murmurs. “Papa’s okay.”

Papa. He called himself Papa, the name I know he so desperately wants our son to call him. And Daniel doesn’t even seem to notice; instead, he clutches at him like he’s afraid Maksim will disappear.

Two paramedics arrive with a stretcher and medical bags. One of them gently pulls Daniel away while the other starts assessing Maksim’s injuries.

“Possible broken ribs, cuts across the back and side, and I think he has a concussion,” I report, my voice surprisingly steady. “He’s been conscious the whole time but he’s in shock.”

The paramedic nods, already working. “We need to get him to the hospital. Ma’am, I need you to step back.”

“No.” I grip Maksim’s hand. “I’m not leaving him.”

“Aria—” Maksim starts.

“I’m. Not. Leaving. You,” I say fiercely before I look at the paramedic challengingly. “I’m riding in the ambulance and that’s non-negotiable.”

The paramedic doesn’t argue which is good because I would have torn their faces off. They get Maksim onto the stretcher, and I turn to find one of the guards there, a man I believe is named Anton.

“Take Daniel inside. Keep him safe. Lock down the estate. No one is allowed in or out without clearance,” I order.

Anton looks at me in disbelief. “Ma’am⁠—”

“Do it!” I shout, my voice cracking. “Someone just tried to kill Maksim. My son is not safe here. Get him inside and lock everything down now.”

Anton nods, his face grim. “Yes, ma’am.”

Daniel is screaming as Anton picks him up. “Mama! I wanna go with you! Don’t leave me!”

“I’ll be right back, baby!” I call after him, my heart breaking. “I promise! I’ll be right back!”

Then I’m in the ambulance with Maksim, and we’re tearing out, sirens wailing.

Maksim keeps drifting in and out of consciousness. Every time he wakes, he asks the same thing. “Daniel? Aria? Baby?”

“We’re safe.” I hold his hand, careful of the IV they’ve put in. “We’re all safe. Just stay with me, okay? Stay with me.”

“Love you.” His eyes close again. “Love you so much.”

“I love you too.” I press my lips to his knuckles, my mouth trembling. “So stay with me. Please. Just stay with me.”

At the hospital, they take him straight into surgery.

A doctor in scrubs tries to explain what they’re going to do, but I can barely process the words. All I can see is Maksim’s pale face as they wheel him away and Daniel screaming for his father.

They try to lead me to a waiting room, but I can’t move. My legs seem to be cement.

“Ma’am?” A nurse touches my arm gently and I flinch. Her eyes are sympathetic. “You should sit down. Let us look at you.”

“I’m fine,” I say shortly, looking at the doors where Maksim was taken.

“You’re bleeding,” she points out.