Say Less I Love You Episode 4

Chapter 42

Jacob

The paramedics rush in, taking over from Nyla. She stumbles back, exhausted, and I'm there to catch her.

"You did it," I murmur, holding her close. "You saved him."

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of relief and something else - fear? "Jacob, there's something I need to tell you."

But before she can continue, we're interrupted by the commotion of Marcus being loaded onto a stretcher. One of the paramedics approaches us.

"Are you family?" he asks.

"No, but I'm Jacob Stone. Mr. Swan is a close family friend."

"Mr. Swan is stable for now, but we need to get him to the hospital. Is there someone who can ride with him?"

I look at Nyla, seeing the conflict in her eyes. "Go," I tell her. "You're the medical professional here. I'll follow in my car."

She hesitates. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. I'll be right behind you."

As Nyla leaves with the ambulance I turn to face the crowd of shocked guests. Julia is by my side in an instant.

"What do you need me to do?" she asks.

I take a deep breath, centering myself. "Can you handle things here? Make our apologies, find Trixa?"

"Consider it done. Go, be with Nyla."

I'm about to leave when I hear a familiar, unwelcome voice. "Jacob! What is the meaning of this?"

I turn to see my mother striding towards me, her face a mask of fury. "Not now," I say firmly.

"Not now?" she repeats incredulously. "One of our most important board members just collapsed at our fundraiser."

"My fiance just saved Marcus Swan's life. She's going to be your daughter-in-law, so I suggest you start showing her some respect."

"We'll see about that. This little infatuation of yours has gone on long enough, Jacob. It's time to end it."

"Marcus is almost dead and that’s all you care about,” I snap. “I love Nyla. And if you can't accept that, then maybe it's time we reevaluate your role in my life and in this company."

I don't wait for her response, turning on my heel and striding towards the exit, I call for the valet to bring my car around. Moments that seem like hours pass and finally the young man brings it around.

As I slide into my car, I take a moment to collect myself. The events of the night are spinning through my head - the confrontation with my mother, Marcus's collapse, Nyla's heroics.

Nyla. God, she was amazing tonight. Not just saving Marcus, but standing up to my mother, holding her own in a world that's done nothing but try to tear her down.

I arrive at the hospital, quickly finding my way to the emergency department. Nyla is there, pacing in the waiting room. She looks up at the sound of my approach, her shoulders sagging with apparent relief. Her feet immediately carry her toward me.

"Any news?" I ask, pulling her into my arms.

"They're still working on him. Jacob, I'm really scared."

"Hey, it's okay. You did everything you could. More than anyone could have expected."

"It wasn’t enough," she says quietly. "Before he collapsed, he was about to tell me something. Something about my family and yours."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know," she says, frustration clear in her voice. "He said there was a connection, something I needed to know. But then… And everything is just getting more and more out of hand…"

I stop, turning to face her fully. "Nyla, listen to me. Whatever Marcus knows, whatever connection there might be between our families - it doesn't change how I feel about you. It doesn’t change anything."

Nyla looks up at me, her eyes wide and shimmering with tears on the verge of spilling over. Her gaze is intense and full of questions, but only one slips out.

“How do you feel about me?”

My heart thuds with anticipation, suddenly kicking into overdrive. I caress her cheek with my hand, obsessed with the way she leans into my touch. “I think you know, Nyla.”

Her body leans closer to mine, pressing her soft curves against my chest. “I want to hear it.”

This woman will be the end of me. And I’d let her be.

Swallowing roughly, I open my mouth to tell her what she wants to know. What I’ve wanted to say.

“I--”

“Where is he?” The sound of Trixa’s emotional screeching makes Nyla and I jump apart. “Tell me where he is or I’ll have you fired!”