The Arranged Bride

Sophia's POV

People were slowly gathering, murmuring while I looked on without even blinking. When Brandon slightly shook me, I finally came out of my trance. Without looking anywhere I ran to Ethan.

"Ethan !" I sat down beside him and took his head on my lap. Blood was trickling down his head. Never had I imagined of seeing such a sight.

"Ethan, Baby get up please. Look at me, Ethan ?" I was desperately pleading while tears were freely rolling down my cheeks.

"Leo, get him inside the car, fast." He took up Ethan and once I settled in, he put Ethan on my lap and started driving.

"Everything will be okay, you will be okay." I was assuring myself more than anyone. The ten minutes drive seemed to be the longest of my life.

I was sitting outside the emergency unit while Leo stood opposite to me. Whenever a nurse came out of the room, we rushed to her but the only answer we have got is that 'nothing can be said right now'. Leo had already called Nick. So I called and told Papa and Caleb about the accident. I even called Char.

I had always adored Ethan. I remember how ecstatic I was when he started calling me Mom. But now that he was there fighting for his life, I had realised how big a part of my life he has become. Only a few months since I have known him and now I could't imagine being without him.

Please be well baby.

Nick's POV

I was in the middle of a meeting when my phone rang. Usually I don't receive calls during my meetings but the caller ID showed Leo. Though I had called a minute before to ensure if Sophia and Ethan were fine but then Leo wouldn't call to share some joke with me.

"Sir" I heard Leo's voice.

"Yes?"

"Sir, Ethan has met with an accident and we have admitted him to CRS hospital." I felt like all the wind was sucked out of my lungs. Ethan... Hospital .... I snapped out of my shock and hung up the phone. "The meeting is over." Without sparing another glance, I hurried out of the room.

I drove to the hospital like a mad man.

"Ethan Carter." I enquired at the reception.

"Second floor, emergency unit." The receptionist replied.

Emergency unit? How serious is this?

"Thank you" I started running towards the elevator.

As I was walking towards the emergency unit, I saw Sophia sitting there with her head in her hands. Char was sitting beside her rubbing her back while Ryan stood there looking at her. Coming closer, I saw her body shaking. She was crying, but I was not in the mental state to console her. I myself was so lost. I saw Leo. He was to protect them right? I suddenly was feeling so angry but I couldn't create a scene here.

"How did it happen?" I was trying to control my anger.

"Sir, he was playing in the park. I was standing there and then you called. While talking to you, I had shifted my eyes from him for a few seconds. When I put down the phone I saw him chasing a ball. I ran after him but the very next moment a car hits him. "I clenched my eyes shut as I could see the horrific image of the accident. I didn't want to have this experience again.

I knew, Leo wasn't at fault but my mind wanted to blame someone. I couldn't help but feel it was his carelessness but then it wasn't true.

"Where was Sophia?" I asked.

"Mrs. Carter was sitting there but then some guy named Brandon came up and was persistent to speak to her privately. " Privately? Who is this guy? Wasn't Sophia supposed to be with Ethan ? I had so many questions but I couldn't bring myself to ask her. I didn't want to talk right now. So I just waited for the doctor.

Mom, Dad, Erica and Caleb came shortly after. Caleb patted my back conveying support but didn't speak because he knew that the words coming out of my mouth, wouldn't be good at this state. Dad was consoling a crying Mom while Erica stood looking down at her feet.

I had tried speaking to the doctor but they asked to hope for the best. Hope for the best!? I was feeling so mad and frustrated with my helplessness. I was staring off into space when Sophia came up to me. "Nick." I didn't respond. I didn't want to lash out and I knew I would do it if she stood there.

"Nick." She called again and put a hand on my shoulder. I rudely shoved away her hand. I could feel my anger rising at every movement of her.

"Nick, atleast talk to me." That was it. My control broke.

"Talk to you? What do you want to talk about? Ethan is there in the emergency unit and you want to talk ?" I snapped at her while she looked taken aback.

"Nick, don't." I heard Caleb warning but I knew my control was long gone and my frustrations were being channeled towards Sophia.

"Nick calm down." Sophia again tried but this only had me fuming.

"Calm down? How the hell am I supposed to calm down? My son is there fighting for his life. The doctors can't assure me of his state and you're asking me to bloody calm down? You wanted to talk right? Let's do it. How about you tell me why you chose to speak privately to another guy when you were supposed to be with Ethan ? You were the one who took him to park, you only said that you can look after him, then why were you not there." I knew I was overstepping but I couldn't hold back my words. It's like they were having a mind of their own.

Sophia was looking at me shocked.

"Nick, just stop it now." Dad tried to prevent me from screwimg my own life but I just did it with my next words.

"I should have known better than to trust you with my son." As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I was wrong. The hurt expression on her face was everything to increase my guilt manifold times. She opened and closed her mouth a few times but no words came out. She defeatedly nodded her head and went to stand at a distance.

I was too consumed to properly think and apologize. I didn't look at anyone's face to see their disapproving glances.

After a few hours, just as a doctor came out of the room, I rushed to him.

"Doctor, how is he?" Sophia came and stood beside me waiting for the doctor to speak.

"Mr. Carter, your son is fine now. He has a broken hand, some torn ligaments but the serious part was the injury head injury which caused some serious bleeding but now he is out of danger. He will regain consciousness soon."

"Can I see him?" I asked

"He will be shifted soon and then you can see him but not more than two people can enter at a time."

"Thank you doctor." Caleb spoke.

I went in to see Ethan. Different pipes and machines were attached to his body and the sight alone was so terribly painful.

I sat down beside him and looked at his face. Seeing him in this state was bringing back some dreadful memories.

Flashback

"Mr. Carter, we can't say anything right now. The fall from the stairs has seriously injured his head and there has been a lot of bleeding. We are trying to do our best. Please be patient."

I slumped down on the seat. I couldn't think properly as if my brain was shutting down.

"Nick, everything will be fine. Don't loose hope." Mom sat down beside me.

I hugged her and tears left my eyes. The situation was making me feel so vulnerable.

I didn't realise when my eyes were becoming blurry. This was the first time after Ethan's first accident when he fell down the stairs and landed on his head. I closed my eyes to blink away the memories. "You're fine now." I knew I was assuring myself.