The Doctor's Secret Bride(104)
Michelle was halfway to the door to load the suitcase into the car when she heard Erik’s car come to a stop in the driveway. Her stomach clenched and her body broke out in a cold sweat.
The key rattled in the lock. The suitcase fell to the floor with a loud thud. The door opened, and his muscular, irresistible frame came walking through it.
Michelle froze as her eyes caught and held the piercing ones of her husband.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Before Michelle could react to Erik, Precious pushed past him and raced into the house.
“Michelle!” She flung herself into Michelle’s arms. “You’re back. You came back!” Precious wrapped her arms about Michelle’s neck, and showered her with kisses, hanging on like she never wanted to let go.
“Oh, Precious.” Michelle squeezed the bundle of joy to her breast. She buried her face into the soft mass of brown curls and sobbed silently. “I missed you so much, so much.”
Precious unraveled her arms from around Michelle’s neck and looked into her face. “Why are you crying, Michelle? Aren’t you happy to be back?”
“I’m not staying, sweetheart. I just came to get my things. I don’t live here anymore.”
“Did I do something wrong? I promise I’ll be good. I promise.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Precious. You’re the best little girl in the whole wide world.”
“Did Daddy do something wrong?” She looked at her father. “Tell Michelle you’re sorry Daddy. Tell her you’re sorry and she’ll stay.”
Michelle glanced at Erik, still standing at the opened door, a watchful fixity on his face. “You’re daddy didn’t do anything wrong, Precious. In fact he did everything right. He’s a good man, and you’re lucky to have him for a daddy.”
“Then why don’t you want to live with us anymore?”
“I do, honey, I do. It’s just that…” She didn’t know what to say. It felt like someone was holding her heart in a padlocked grip and was choking the life out of her. She fought the raw need to collapse right there on the floor. She felt so weak—physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
“Please stay, Michelle. I love you. Please live with us.” Tears spilled down Precious’ face.
Michelle choked at the pain in the child’s heart and the sadness in her eyes as she placed her on the floor. She looked at Erik again, her unspoken requests rushing across the distance between them.
“Go on up to your room, Precious,” he said.
“Please, Daddy. Don’t let Michelle leave.” Precious wrapped her arms around Michelle’s waist and began to cry.
“Erik, please,” Michelle begged in a broken whisper. “Can’t you see she needs me?”
Erik swung away from the door and covered the distance in four long stealthy strides. He forced Precious’ hands from around Michelle’s waist. “She needs her mother. But her mother is dead, Michelle. Dead. And your—”
“Not in front of her, Erik,” Michelle whispered. “Don’t involve her in this.” She knew that eventually Precious would be told the truth about the man who’d killed her mother, but now wasn’t the time. Michelle was grateful that Erik had decided to keep the news of Dwight’s capture private for the moment. And she knew that once it was made public, she might have to go into hiding. The media would be all over her. Erik’s prudence, once again, demonstrated that he still cared about her.
Erik inhaled deeply then exhaled slowly. “You’re right. Mrs. Hayes,” he bellowed.#p#分页标题#e#
Mrs. Hayes immediately came rushing into the foyer with a wooden spoon in her hand. “Yes, Doctor.”
“Would you kindly take my daughter to her room?”
“No, Daddy, no!” Precious threw herself on the floor and clung to Michelle’s legs. It took all Mrs. Hayes’ energies to pry her loose and escort her away.
“I’ll come back to see you, Precious. That’s a promise, sweetheart,” Michelle called in a tear-choked voice.
Erik waited until Precious and Mrs. Hayes were out of eyesight and earshot. “You have to stay away from her. I don’t want you calling or coming by here anymore.”
“I wouldn’t abandon her, Erik. I love her. I love her like my own child.”
Her sadness ate away at his guts, but he had no choice. He was torn. He didn’t know what else to do. “She’s not your child, Michelle. She’s Cassie’s child.”
“Erik, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the pain my father caused you and Precious. But please don’t punish me for what he did. Don’t punish Precious. Please.” She wiped at the tears blinding her.