Lucas sat on the edge of his seat staring at the hospital bed where Sarah lay unconscious. Except for a brief moment when the EMTs gave her IV fluids she hadn’t stirred. He watched her carefully recalling the doctor’s warning that they had to closely monitor her breathing. When they first arrived at the small private hospital there had been some discussion over the need to ventilate her.
The nurses had immediately drawn blood and he had been asked to leave the room so they could do a physical check given the state she had been found in. The very thought James might have succeeded had him seeing red all over again. He paced the hall until he was allowed back into the exam room. Sarah lay now still in her gown but covered with a light blanket.
“Mister Stanton?”
Lucas jerked to attention looking at the door where the doctor stood. She gave him a reassuring smile closing the door before speaking to ensure their privacy.
“I have the tests back. Miss Thomas was given a large dose of benzodiazepine, most likely Valium.”
Lucas trembled, “So, what does that mean?”
“I’ve ordered a dose of flumazenil to reverse it but it will take some time for it to take effect. We’ll continue to monitor her closely,” Doctor Darman said. “It’s difficult to say exactly how long she will be out after the reversal is administered but these results explain her uncoordinated behavior. Given her state she would never have been able to fend off her attacker and we did confirm she was not violated.”
Lucas let out an uneasy breath. If he had gotten there even a few minutes sooner he could have prevented it entirely, “I should have called her.”
“Mister Stanton, any later and this would be a very different story,” the doctor reminded.
He nodded.
“I’ll send the nurse in with the reversal and we can call you once she’s awake.”
“No. I’m staying.”
She nodded before stepping out leaving him with his thoughts and regrets. Lucas held his head. It had taken too long to go through the camera footage and finalize his plans for his sister and mother. If they thought there would be no retribution they were wrong. Proof or no proof there was no doubt Lidia orchestrated the whole attack and he would make her pay.
A knock on the door preceded the nurse who entered with a needle. She smiled at him before moving to Sarah to administer the reversal. His phone buzzed alerting him to Alan’s text message. Mutely Lucas nodded to the nurse as she left before opening the message.
Got the footage. Plenty of angles of Sarah following Lidia but there’s no coverage for that corner.
Lucas sighed. Evidently Lidia was getting smarter or she was just lucky that the area was a blind spot. Without hard evidence it would be difficult to prove in court but he didn’t need a jury’s conviction. As far as he was concerned he already knew the truth.
Got it. Lucas typed back.
How’s Sarah?
Still unconscious. She was just given a reversal for the drugs she was given so hopefully she’ll wake up soon.
Need me there?
No. Go home and get some sleep.
Lucas paced the room for several minutes before taking his seat again. But he just couldn’t relax. He didn’t know if it was adrenaline or worry that kept him agitated and unable to rest.
“N—n—n—!”
Lucas froze as Sarah mumbled her face twisting as if in pain. Her head and arm twitched as if trying to fend off her attacker. He held his breath. It was the first movement she had made since the van ride.
“…N—no…S—s—s—STOP!”
Sarah whimpered and he knew exactly what memory she was trapped in. He stood making his way to the bed and gently clasped her cold hand, “It’s okay Sarah. I’m here. You’re safe.”
Lucas had no idea if she could hear him but she fell silent. Her brow furrowed and he knew her dreams were still troubled. He waited as she slowly woke more and eventually opened her eyes. Lucas sucked in a breath.
Sarah blinked her gaze still unfocused. Suddenly her gaze widened and she jerked up. Her body trembled as her eyes darted from one corner of the room to the other.
“It’s okay. We’re in a hospital,” Lucas said. “Julius and Macey are watching Zoe. She’s safe. The doctor here has been the DaLair’s private doctor for years so you are in good hands. Do you…what do you remember?”
“…I…” Sarah’s brow furrowed. “I remember going to the party with Zoe. Macey and Ava were there with all the kids. I remember Ruth arriving and talking to some people. And…Lidia…”
She suddenly went white.
Lucas grimaced, “Lidia lured you to a corner and drugged you, right?”
Sarah shivered, nodding, “How did you…”
“Macey said Lidia showed up,” Lucas sighed. “I knew it was trouble as soon as she said it…any…anything else?”
“…I was grabbed and he forced me against the wall and…Oh god!” Sarah hugged herself as her stomach clenched.
“Hey! Easy!” Lucas grabbed a trash can and handed it to her in time for her to dry heave into it. He held her hair and gently rubbed her back as she shook.
“He didn’t…He never got that far,” Lucas assured her. “The doctor checked just to be sure…so you don’t have to worry.”
Sarah slowly caught her breath as his words sank in. Relief flooded her but the shame still lingered. How could she have been so stupid? She should have known better when it came to Lidia.
“Hey, hey…Shh,” Lucas gently embraced her holding her against his chest. “You’re safe now. You were drugged. He knew exactly what he was doing. They both did. I’ll make them pay. I swear it.”
Sarah felt herself relaxing almost against her will. That’s right. They were the ones at fault…not her. There was a veil in her mind making it difficult to remember everything but she did at least recall one important fact.
“You were there,” Sarah softly muttered. “…You stopped him.”
“I should have killed him,” Lucas said reluctantly releasing her. He stood and walked to the sink filling a small paper cup with water and bringing it to her. “I might have if Julius hadn’t pulled me off of him. I’m so sorry, Sarah.”
“You’re apologizing for saving me?” she asked carefully sipping the water. It wasn’t very cold but it still soothed her throat.
“I…no. For being late. For not calling you. If I had been on time or at least called you so you knew I was on my way I would have been there with you. Lidia would never have gotten close to you,” Lucas hung his head.
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“What do you mean? Sarah I…”
“Lidia approached me when I was with Ruth and Ava. Even if you were there you probably would have spent some time with Julius and Silas and she would still have gotten her chance.”
Lucas sighed sitting on the edge of the bed. She wasn’t wrong. Lidia would have waited for the perfect opportunity to approach her without him nearby. But still…
“And I could have called you,” Sarah said after a moment. “Zoe told me I should…I just didn’t think…”
She fell silent. They sat in silence for some time in their own thoughts.
“I didn’t know about the text messages they were sending you. I didn’t even know they had your number,” Lucas said. “I’m so sorry they put you through that.”
Sarah frowned. He really didn’t know?
“…And I…I never slept with Madeline. I promise I didn’t.”
Sarah shook her head ready to argue. She really didn’t want to go through this again.
“I can prove it,” Lucas insisted catching her off guard as he took out his phone and showed her a picture of one of Madeline’s messages.
“I don’t want to read it,” Sarah shook her head.
“You don’t have to, just look at the date she sent it,” Lucas said.
Reluctantly she looked at the notation.
“Sarah, I was in London on that weekend. The hotel lost my reservation and Alan I shared a room. He’ll tell you…it was just us.”
Sarah frowned.
“And this one here. Look. That whole week I spent in the office planning a big merger. Alan and I slept on my office couches. I can get security footage for you if you want.”
Sarah chewed her lip.
“And this one…the last one she sent you. That was the day you left me. I was passed out in your bed.”
Oh, that’s right.
“If you want I’ll have Alan cross-check as many of these dates as he can to prove to you I was never with Madeline.”
“But then why did you call her name?”
Lucas shook his head, “I don’t know. I wish I had answers but I don’t remember that night. And the reason I don’t remember is because Lidia dosed me.”
“She drugged you? Her own brother?”
“We have it on camera. I can show you if you want,” Lucas said. “We think Lidia and Madeline planned it together. Once, in college, Madeline and I…I swear it was only that one time. After Lidia drugged my drink Madeline hung onto me all night, probably waiting for it to take effect. Between the drug, the alcohol, Madeline…maybe my mind went back to that night…I don’t know. I wish I did. I wish I could give you the answer you deserve. But I can’t…”
Sarah studied him as his expression twisted in confusion and agony. She didn’t see any indication he was lying. It seemed he was in complete earnestness.
“I do remember you though,” Lucas said after a moment, “that day when we were kids and you were being bullied until I stepped in.”
Sarah blinked her face flushing pink.
“I remember thinking you were cute. And your eyes…I thought your name was Rosemary. I even had Alan try to find you in the school’s register.”
“You did?” Sarah asked hardly believing it. Did he really remember? Did he really try to find her back then?
“I’m such an idiot,” Lucas shook his head. “I should have realized it was you from the beginning. If I tried even a little to get to know you…but I didn’t. I’m sorry.”
He looked at her his gaze shining with regret. She had waited so long to hear him say those words, to acknowledge her. The heaviness she had carried for so long lightened freeing her of its burden.
“I should have asked for your name, walked you home…something. You’re everything I ever wanted: kind, gentle, adventurous, independent, spirited, witty…beautiful. But I don’t deserve you.”
Sarah bit her lip as he bowed his head. His self-loathing was palpable. Despite the pain she had suffered she couldn’t blame him. He really wasn’t part of his family’s plotting and…he didn’t cheat on her. That maybe more than any other fact settled in her heart.
She reached for his hand gripping it in her own. His fingers felt so cold. Sarah squeezed his hand. Eventually he responded by squeezing her hand back. His thumb traced circles on the back of her hand. But he kept his head bowed unable to meet her gaze or too afraid to.
“…Maybe you should let me decide that,” Sarah quietly declared.
Hesitantly he finally met her gaze. She was calm. The sterile hospital room and fluorescent light brought out the blue in her eyes. He fought the smile trying to disrupt his grim expression. Slowly he raised his hand to smooth her hair behind her ear and stroked her cheek. She didn’t shy from his touch which sent his heart racing.
She was actually looking at him, not ignoring him, and letting him touch her without shying away. He wanted desperately to be closer but he didn’t know if she would allow it. After a moment he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.
Sarah blushed.
Lucas studied her, his heart hammering in his chest and echoing in his head. He leaned forward cupping the back of her head and kissed her forehead next. With a sigh he rested his forehead on hers savoring the fact she let him so close.
Sarah trembled when he leaned close and kissed her forehead. It was like a butterfly kiss. Now they sat with nothing between them. The walls she tried to build had all but crumbled. But oddly she didn’t miss it. She thought she heard a knock but she was too consumed with her own thoughts to pay it mind.
As they sat they heard a small gasp. They looked to the door to see Silas and Ava watching them. Lucas gave them an annoyed look as Sarah turned a deep shade of red.
Silas fought a smile but there was no denying the mirth in his gaze. Beside him Ava had a look of shock her cheeks bright pink. She suddenly turned to Silas and swatted his arm.
“What did I do?” he asked.
“You could have warned me,” Ava admonished.
“How was I supposed to know?” Silas asked innocently letting his gaze drift to Lucas who still looked annoyed but also displayed a pink tinge to his cheeks at being caught.
Ava shook her head before hurrying to the bed, “Are you all right, Sarah? Thomas told us what happened…for the most part. We didn’t want the kids to worry.”
“I’m fine,” Sarah nodded. “They stopped him before…”
She couldn’t finish the thought and she shuddered. Lucas squeezed her hand in comfort even as Ava reached for her other hand and held it. No one asked her to continue. Sarah was grateful for their support.
“Julius and Macey would have come too but they wanted to get the kids home,” Ava explained. “Don’t worry about Zoe. She was so excited to have a sleepover with Lyra.”
Sarah smiled picturing how Zoe probably danced with excitement for her first ever official sleepover.
“We would have taken her but…”
“Daisy,” Sarah nodded.
Ava sighed giving her a pensive smile, “Just when I think I’m over everything my sister did…I get another reminder.”
Silas slipped an arm around her waist and kissed the back of her head in comfort. No doubt he was thinking of ways to make Marilynn pay though she was long gone from their lives.
“You’re doing good,” Sarah said. “Remember how long it took you to even get close enough to give Applejack a pat let alone a treat? Petting Daisy on the first day is huge.”
“Thanks,” Ava sighed, hesitating. “We did come here for another reason, though.”
Sarah and Lucas waited each having a sinking feeling. Ava remained silent letting Silas explain.
“Julius and I talked to James while we waited for the police,” Silas announced.
Lucas raised a brow. He could only imagine just what kind of talk they had. Sarah paled at the mention of her attacker’s name. She tensed prompting Lucas to trace circles on the back of her hand with his thumb.
“He confessed to doing this with twelve other women.”
Sarah’s eyes went wide. She felt Lucas squeeze her hand but her mind was numb. Twelve?
“You’re saying he’s drugged and raped twelve others?” Lucas asked wanting clarification.
Silas nodded.
“So many,” Sarah shivered.
“He gave us their names. We gave the list to Tracy. She’s going to work on contacting them. If she can she’d like to make this a class action case and get them some retribution. But it probably won’t be easy,” Silas explained. “We have him dead to rights for what he did tonight but there probably isn’t much evidence as far as the others are concerned especially considering the time that has passed. It’ll be their word against his. Tracy may be able to establish a pattern of behavior…that is if any of them are willing to step forward.”
“It just isn’t right,” Ava shook her head. “Victims hiding in shame while their attackers walk around as if it was nothing.”
“I’ll testify,” Sarah said. “I’ll talk to them too if it’ll help. If they know they aren’t alone they might be more comfortable.”
“We’ll let Tracy know,” Silas nodded. “She’ll want to talk to you anyway…She said something about consulting Tailor.”
“Uncle Tailor will be all too glad to help,” Sarah nodded. She could trust Tailor to handle everything Tracy needed. Neither would rest until justice was served.