Chapter 73: I Will Be Your Mommy!
Annabelle retched violently, though she hadn’t eaten since this morning. Her body had been rebelling against her these past few days, a reaction to the stress of constantly being under Sophia’s watch. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she cursed under her breath.
"Damn that woman," she grumbled, splashing cold water on her face, the chill helping to ground her spinning thoughts. She stared at her pale reflection, her lips trembling despite herself.
"Anna, are you okay?" William’s voice cut through the silence, and Annabelle sighed, gripping the sink. The old man had become insufferably attached to her, his concern more suffocating than sweet.
With a deep breath, Annabelle adjusted her tone to a sweet, placid whisper. "I’m fine, Papa." She dabbed at her face with a towel, smoothing her features into a delicate mask before stepping out.
Vincent stood by the door, worry creasing his brow. William had settled on the bed, but rushed to her side the moment she appeared. His hand landed on her shoulder, gentle, but heavy.
"Come rest," William urged, guiding her to the bed. "We’ve called the doctor. She’ll be here soon."
Annabelle opened her mouth to respond, but suddenly, the world around her began to spin. Her vision blurred, the colors smearing together. A wave of dizziness crashed over her, and her legs gave way beneath her.
"Anna!" Vincent shouted, catching her just before she collapsed completely. His arms tightened around her, panic flashing across his face as her eyes fluttered shut. William’s breath hitched as his precious daughter slumped against them.
"Let me lay her down," Vincent insisted, his voice steady but tense. He lifted Annabelle into his arms and gently placed her on the bed.
William hovered anxiously by her side, brushing a few loose strands of hair away from her forehead as Vincent stepped back, pulling out his phone to call the doctor again. "Get here as fast as you can," he urged sharply, his eyes never leaving Annabelle’s face.
Sophia entered with a cold, tense expression, her gaze snapping to Annabelle’s limp form on the bed. "What happened?" she demanded, hurrying to William’s side.