CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: COMPANIONSHIP

Simon Forrester bent over to support Sienna Thornton, gently asking, "Where did you hit? Does it hurt? Did you hurt your leg?"

He asked three questions in a row, leaving Sienna Thornton unsure which to answer first, so she briefly replied, "I’m fine, just hit my back a little."

Simon Forrester’s wide, warm hand then moved to her back, gently rubbing it to soothe her. Even though separated by two layers of clothing, Sienna Thornton felt that his gesture was more effective than any painkiller.

She braced herself on Simon Forrester’s hand to stand up, pulling him aside and whispered, "I’m okay. But my mom is still in the ICU and won’t come out any time soon. I need to stay here. You should go back to the car and rest, and leave for Brimfield at dawn."

"I’ll stay with you," Simon Forrester reached out to hold her cold, stiff hand, "I brought you here, so I must make sure to get you back safely."

"Really, I’m fine. I can handle it." Sienna Thornton, knowing what would happen if Simon Forrester stayed, did not want to owe him a greater favor.

Simon Forrester said nothing, turning to coldly glance at the Raines father and son, who were watching intently. He tightened his warm grip on Sienna Thornton’s small hand and silently helped her to a chair to sit down.

Jared Raines, struggling up from the corner, rushed over, but before his fist could hit Simon Forrester’s face, his wrist was forcefully grabbed and bent backward.

Seeing this, Felix Raines came over cursing, pointing at Sienna Thornton’s nose and shouting, "You bastard, if Jared loses a single hair today, you’ll bury your dead mother with him!"

Felix, knowing full well that Melinda Linton was Sienna Thornton’s weak spot, kept threatening her, hoping to use this against Sienna Thornton.

Jared Raines cried out as his hand was twisted, but Simon Forrester ignored him and snapped at Felix Raines, "Watch your mouth!"

Sienna Thornton tugged at his coat, quietly saying, "Forget it, don’t dirty your hands because of him."

Simon Forrester flung Jared Raines away, casting him back into the corner.

Felix Raines continued to curse but ran over to help his precious son up, not daring to say anything nasty to Sienna Thornton, perhaps out of deference to Simon Forrester standing by her side.

The atmosphere returned to calm.

Sienna Thornton sat silently in the waiting area outside the ICU, the chill of the plastic chair seeming to seep through the fabric and straight into her heart. Exhausted, she let her head fall back, staring despairingly at the dim, yellow light overhead.

"Sis..." Jenna Raines came over and sat beside her.

Sienna Thornton kept her head back, not looking directly at her, and asked with a cool tone, "What did the doctor say?"

"The emergency doctor said something about some rheumatic membrane disease, needs replacing something..." Jenna Raines, not highly educated, struggled with medical terms over four syllables.

Sienna Thornton straightened her body, her brow seemingly sharp as she looked at her, "Rheumatic heart valve disease, needing a valve replacement?"

"..." Jenna Raines thought for a moment, "I think that’s what the doctor said."

"Got it." Sienna Thornton ended the conversation and tilted her head back again.

Her intention was clear, yet Jenna Raines remained seated.

"Sis, who is this?" Jenna Raines glanced at Simon Forrester sitting on the other side, her apple cheeks slightly red.

Sienna Thornton closed her eyes and said nothing.

Simon Forrester nodded at Jenna Raines, "I’m a friend of Lawyer Thornton."

"Boyfriend?"

Simon Forrester smiled lightly, not denying it.

Jenna Raines nodded, seemingly unsurprised, and considerately added, "With you by my sister’s side, my mom and I feel at ease."

"If there’s nothing else, take your dad and brother back home," Sienna Thornton said coldly, "I can handle things here."