Without a Sound, Everything Changes
There was no sound, nothing at all, except for...
Carolina was puttering in the kitchen, putting the last touches on the chocolate banana cake that she was making for Nick's birthday. All week, she had played delibrately dense, not mentioning his special day.
Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth.
His parents and siblings were coming up for a birthday party that night. Caro hired a caterer to make his favorite Tex Mex specialties. She sent a message to Alex, inviting him and his partners, as well as to Ryan. She even invited Frankie Roberts, through channels, though she knew he likely wouldn't come, and Anson from New York. Ryan would be there within the hour, and she was bringing Elizabeth home with her. Dwee was sleeping upstairs, and the nanny was in town, doing some personal errands. Bane and his security team were in the back of the property, doing checks of the fencing.
Sara was "cooking" in her mini kitchen, just off from the main kitchen, stirring banana slices in a bowl and snitching more than a few. She couldn't have heard the splash of fluid hitting the floor, or the gasp of shock from Carolina's lungs.
There had been some pains and twinges, most of the morning. But even as Nick had left for work, Caro had been convinced it was nothing.
Now it was something.
Okay...just go over, get the phone, call Nick. No problem.
But a pain shot through her, doubling her over, making her knees buckle and forcing her to sit on the floor.
"Sara. Sara! Baby, I need you to go to your special big girl phone and call Daddy, okay? Call Daddy, just push the button with his picture." They had installed a phone and taught Sara how to speed dial people based on their picture on the buttons.
"Sara! Call Daddy!"
Carolina was puttering in the kitchen, putting the last touches on the chocolate banana cake that she was making for Nick's birthday. All week, she had played delibrately dense, not mentioning his special day.
Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth.
His parents and siblings were coming up for a birthday party that night. Caro hired a caterer to make his favorite Tex Mex specialties. She sent a message to Alex, inviting him and his partners, as well as to Ryan. She even invited Frankie Roberts, through channels, though she knew he likely wouldn't come, and Anson from New York. Ryan would be there within the hour, and she was bringing Elizabeth home with her. Dwee was sleeping upstairs, and the nanny was in town, doing some personal errands. Bane and his security team were in the back of the property, doing checks of the fencing.
Sara was "cooking" in her mini kitchen, just off from the main kitchen, stirring banana slices in a bowl and snitching more than a few. She couldn't have heard the splash of fluid hitting the floor, or the gasp of shock from Carolina's lungs.
There had been some pains and twinges, most of the morning. But even as Nick had left for work, Caro had been convinced it was nothing.
Now it was something.
Okay...just go over, get the phone, call Nick. No problem.
But a pain shot through her, doubling her over, making her knees buckle and forcing her to sit on the floor.
"Sara. Sara! Baby, I need you to go to your special big girl phone and call Daddy, okay? Call Daddy, just push the button with his picture." They had installed a phone and taught Sara how to speed dial people based on their picture on the buttons.
"Sara! Call Daddy!"