The voice behind the woman saw her whip around, an uncomfortable expression coming to her face. “I really hope that you are not talking about me”, Darius’ voice low and dangerous, his appearance unheard and unseen by any of the three women as moving even closer he towered over them all. Turning his look to the distraught Sara, her features showing her shock at seeing him he gave her a small encouraging smile. “How is Carly?” his voice soft as she stared back at him, not believing he was there.
“S...she is fine...well” Darius gave her a small wink before turning his attention to the other two women. He smiled warmly at Janice, before turning a cooler look to Beth. “Perhaps somebody would be so kind as to tell me what is going on”, his question brooking no argument as with a sob Sara blurted out “They are taking Carly from me...they are placing her with another family”
Darius gave her a determined shake of his head. “No...No they are not Sara. Nobody is taking Carly from you” Beside him, Janice looked uncomfortable, her sympathy still with Sara as she looked at the handsome man before her. “I am sorry Mr?” her tone polite as Darius gave her his surname.
“The Board overturned their previous decision...I am afraid that when she leaves the hospital Carly is being placed with another family” A low hurt sob was torn from Sara, tears of shock and pain running unchecked down her face, seeing his mouth set as he repeated, “Nobody is taking Carly from you Sara”, as she sobbed, a small flicker of hope lighting in her chest.
Beth gave another small snort, Darius’ eyes moving to her. “The decision has been made, Mr Garelli. The Board has decided that Sara is an unfit caregiver for Carly”, her cutting look full of contempt as she flicked a look over at the woman trying so hard to keep things together. “She was given plenty of time to turn her life around. To provide a stable home and financial security and she chose instead to run after men like you” Darius’ eyes narrowed, darkening dangerously as he fixed them on the stout woman before him. “Is that a fact?” his voice cold, “You must be Mrs Taylor” She blinked in surprise, nodding, confused that he knew her name. “Y...Yes”, she confirmed as he held her look. “Firstly. Sara is NOT an unfit care-giver for Sara, unlike you Mrs Taylor, but we will get back to that”, his look flicking to Janice. “Sara has plenty of financial security” Beth made yet another contemptuous sound as he talked over her.
“How much would it take for you to consider her financially stable...ten thousand dollars...a hundred thousand...a million...whatever the figure is then that will be sitting in her account by the end of the day if need be” Sara stared at Darius, her mouth dropped in shock. “S...she has no home to take her to”, Beth stuttered, as again Darius turned on her.
“By this time tomorrow she could own her own home, again, if that is what it takes”, his eyes flicking to Sara, a strange light within them. “Although I am hoping that will not be necessary”, this added more softly.
By now Beth was flustered, her words coming out in fits, “B...but ... her reputation...her marriage breakup...her relationship with YOU”, she cried, Darius noticing as Janice looked uncomfortable. With more steel Darius glared down on the now red-faced woman. “Lies spread by her ex-husband...her abusive ex-husband. Sara found herself in a dangerous environment and took steps to get out...proof that she would give Carly the safe upbringing that she deserves. As for Sara and I ...while it is none of your business...I will share something with you that must go no further.”
Janice gave him a supportive smile, Beth fidgeting nervously, not liking the way that things were going. “Sara could have another home tomorrow if that was what she wanted, but I truly hope that it does not come to that because she lives with me”, his eyes flashed in warning as Beth sneered at him. “Yes ... for how long?” her derision short-lived as he continued, “Sara and I are engaged. It is not public knowledge...but as you see we plan on giving Carly the secure home that she needs”
Janice smiled widely, her hands rising to her heart as she turned to Sara, Sara’s eyes flying to Darius, “Oh...Sara...I am so happy for you. I wish you had said...I will speak to the Board at once”, moving over to pull the younger woman in for a hug, her genuinely happy smile directed at Darius also. “I truly believe that the Board will be more than happy to hear what is happening...perhaps Carly could even return home with you both”, giving another happy chuckle, “I am so happy. I really, really am” Darius gave her a large return smile.