Drew allowed himself to feel a moment of terror, and then he shoved it away. He had to be strong for his family, especially for London.
“Where’s Connor?”
“Right here,” his brother said, walking into the waiting room. “The nurse said the surgery should only take an hour.” He patted Drew on the back. “Then it’s a one-to-three day stay. London beat me at paper, rock, scissors, so you’ll have to take her on to see who has to watch over William.”
To describe Connor and their dad’s relationship as strained was an understatement. William thought that Connor wasted his talents on philanthropy while Connor thought William worshipped the almighty dollar. Drew recognized both their points as valid and stayed the hell out of it.
“London has classes. I’ll take care of everything,” he said.
“Always the dutiful son,” Connor said with a smirk. Yeah, their relationship wasn’t exactly the best either.
“Someone has to be.”
London stepped out of Drew’s embrace. “Stop it. I need both my brothers right now.” She gazed at Connor. “We’ll each take a day”
“You have class, London,” Drew began.
She shook her head. “I wasn’t allowed to be there for Mother. I won’t be protected like that from our father. Not this time.”
“Fine,” Drew conceded. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and shot his brother a look.
Connor rolled his eyes. “Whatever you want, kid.”
London’s brow furrowed. “Earlier, I tried to sign some papers for the hospital, but I couldn’t because I didn’t have medical power of attorney.”
“I have it,” Drew said. He had medical and financial power of attorney. For all intents and purposes, he could renegotiate every contract his father had made.
A startling thought slithered inside his head. If he wanted to, he could end the damn contract stipulation his father had foisted on him, annul his marriage, and set Hannah free. Then he wouldn’t have the power to make her miserable anyway.
Though he’d be miserable as hell. He’d be in hell. But none of that mattered. He was Andrew Montgomery, and he always did the right thing.
“I’ll take care of it.”
Exhaling, he pulled out his phone to call Ella and get the ball rolling. Fuck. If his secretary had gotten ahold of Hannah, then she would be here soon. Well, if she came at all. He didn’t blame her if she didn’t show up, and it would be a relief.
Maybe she’d leave for the Outer Banks instead, and then he could do everything via certified letter and email. It would make things easier for both of them.
“Drew.”
His head whipped around at the sound of his name.
No, he thought. Not now. Damn it. She shouldn’t be here. He was already weak. Vulnerable. Her presence would only serve to muddy the waters.
He had to get rid of her, no matter how much he wanted her to stay.
“Drew!” Hannah whisper-shouted in deference to the hospital setting as she practically ran into the waiting room with her heart in her throat. “I got here as soon as I could.” She stopped short of touching him. He looked so remote and off-putting. Just like this morning over breakfast. “What can I do to help?”
“Nothing.”
“But I’m your wife. It’s my job to help,” she said, and then gave London and Connor a small smile. Yeah, this wasn’t embarrassing at all. “Nice to seeing y’all again… after so long. I’m not sure if you remember me, London.”
“A little,” the younger woman said.
Connor’s dark blue gaze ran over her. “How could I ever forget a woman who looks like you?”
Oh, give me a break. “Do you mind if I talk to Drew alone?”
“Go right ahead,” Connor murmured.
London nodded. “I need to make a few calls anyway.” She threaded her arm through Connor’s. “Come keep me company.”
“I didn’t mean you have to leave,’ Hannah said as the duo walked out of the waiting room. She turned her gaze back to him. “Sorry.”
“What do you want, Hannah?”
To fight for our marriage. “I came to apologize. For this morning. I didn’t handle things as I should have.” Neither had he, but she wasn’t here to argue with him. She wanted to get past that and move forward, not just be right.
Instead of answering, Drew simply stared at her, his gaze hardening.
“And I think that both of us said things we didn’t mean.”
“I meant every word.”
She blinked. “What?”
“This isn’t working.”
“No.” She shook her head and laid her hand on his arm. “One fight doesn’t break up a marriage.”