Chapter 110
A R I A N A
Later in the night I decided to call Dante. I was in my room on the phone with Dante trying to keep my voice down but I was upset.
“Why didn’t you tell me she was coming today Dante?” I asked pacing the floor. “You just left this morning. You couldn’t send me a text? ’Hey by the way, Melissa and her son are moving in today’? I was completely surprised p>
On the other end Dante sighed. “I am so sorry Ariana, very sorry. It was a last-minute thing, her lawyer called her early this morning and said things were more complicated than they thought… She panicked and called me right before I boarded the plane. I was rushing and it was chaotic. I meant to call you from the air but I got caught up with something. I’m so sorry baby. I should have made sure you knew p>
I let out a long breath, some of my anger faded.
“It’s just… it was awkward, Dante. She just showed up at the door and the kids and I were in the kitchen covered in flour. I didn’t know what to say p>
“I know my love. I am sorry. I will make it up to you. I promise. How is it going? Is everything… okay p>
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding but before I could answer I heard a loud piercing scream from downstairs.
It was one of the kids.
My heart stopped.
“Dante I have to go!” I yelled into the phone.
“What? What is it?” he asked, his voice instantly full of panic.
“I don’t know! Someone screamed p>
I threw the phone on the bed and ran out of the room. I flew down the hallway and skidded to a stop at the top of the big staircase.
My blood ran cold.
Isabella was on the floor at the bottom of the stairs holding her ankle and crying.
“Isabella!” I screamed.
I ran down the stairs so fast I almost fell myself. I knelt beside her, my hands shaking.
“Baby! Baby, what happened? Where does it hurt p>
She looked up at me, her face pale and streaked with tears. “My ankle, mummy! It hurts so much! I fell p>
“How? How did you fall… Oh god, you’re always so careful on the stairs”
“There was water!” she cried, pointing a trembling finger at the marble floor near the bottom step. “Someone spilled water and I was running to get my book that I left in the kitchen. I didn’t see it the water. My foot slipped and I feel p>
I looked at the floor sur enough there was a small shiny puddle of water right where the stairs ended.
but how? Claire is so careful that never happens in this house. The other staff are so careful. Why now?
But I didn’t have time to think about that now
“Okay my brave girl, I’m here now.” I carefully slid my arms under her. “I’m going to pick you up, okay? It might hurt a little p>
She nodded, biting her lip to stop crying, as I lifted her as gently as I could.
Asher and Sophia were at the top their little faces white with fear.
“Is Isabella going to be okay?” Asher asked his voice trembling.
“What happened to her?” Sophia wailed.
“She’s going to be just fine,” I said trying to sound calm even though my heart was pounding. “She just had a little fall. I’m going to take care of her. You two can go to your roomokay? Be very careful on the stairs p>
I carried Isabella into her room and laid her gently on her bed. I propped her foot up on a pillow.
“Let mummy see baby p>
I carefully moved her hands away from her ankle. It was already starting to swell and turn a little red.
It wasn’t bent in a wrong way, which was a good sign.
Probably a bad sprain.
“I’ll be right back,” I said as I ran to the bathroom and got the first aid kit I brought back a cold pack and some arnica ointment for the pain and swelling.
I sat on the edge of her bed and gently rubbed the ointment onto her ankle.
“You are so brave Isabella… So brave p>
She looked at me with her big serious eyes. “mummy p>
“Yes my love p>
“Can I… can I sleep with you tonight? My ankle really hurts. I don’t want to be alone p>
My heart melted.
Isabella loved her space. She didn’t like sharing it with anyone. She is a big girl that claims independence, but for her to let her guard down, it meant she was truly hurt.
“Of course you can baby… of course You can sleep with me every night until your ankle is all better p>
A small relieved smile touched her lips. “Thank you mummy p>
I finished putting the ointment on and wrapped the cold pack around her ankle with a soft cloth.
“There. How does that feel p>
“A little better,” she whispered, her voice sounding sleepy.
I sat with her stroking her hair until her eyes closed and her breathing became even.
But as I watched her sleep, my mind went back to that puddle of water.
A coincidence? Maybe.
But a feeling of deep cold unease settled in my stomach.
I shook my head. I was being crazy. It was just an accident.
I kissed Isabella’s forehead and tucked the blanket around her.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very very wrong.
I just hope nothing happens.