hapter 197 Blood and Truth


    The crowd erupted in screams, panic rippling everywhere.


    The falling ride clipped Baron’s back with its edge.


    He staggered, nearly dropping Sean from his arms.


    Natalie’s heart shattered at the sight.


    “Baron!”


    She couldn’t wait any longer. She bolted forward, the bodyguards rushing after her.


    Susie burst into sobs the moment she saw Baron spit blood.


    “Daddy!” <fn6529> This content belongs to find{n}ovel</fn6529>


    Sean, pressed tight in his arms, felt the hot spray of blood across his face. The metallic tang filled his nose, shocking him into silence before fear overtook him.


    “Daddy, no!”


    “Sean, don’t be scared. I’m fine.”


    Even in pain, even barely able to stay on his feet, Baron forced himself to smile, his gaze steady and warm as it locked on his son’s tearful eyes. “You’re a man. This was just an ident. Daddy’s not going anywhere, and neither are you. Do you hear me?”


    “But Daddy, you’re bleeding…”


    Sean’s tears fell in heavy drops, unstoppable now. He fumbled with his little hands, trying to wipe away the blood at Baron’s mouth, but no matter how much he wiped, the red wouldn’t disappear.


    When Natalie reached them, the sight nearly undid her.


    Her throat burned with tears.


    “Baron… Sean…‘


    She grabbed Baron’s arm to steady him.


    It was the first time Baron had ever heard her call his name so directly. Not “Baron Scott,” not


    the formal, cold address she always used–just his name.


    He smiled faintly. “I’m fine.”


    Natalie said nothing. She pulled Sean into her arms<b>, </b>speaking softly to both children. “<b>Sean</b>, Susie, it’s alright. It was just an ident. I’ll have the bodyguards take you home first, okay? Mommy has to take Daddy to the hospital.”


    “We’re going too!” Sean insisted.


    Susie said nothing, but her red–rimmed eyes followed her brother’s lead.


    Natalie had no choice but to agree. The guards escorted them toward the car.


    Sirens soon wailed in the distance–police, firefighters, ambnces rushing to the scene.


    Natalie supported Baron carefully. “Can you really hold on? Maybe we should call an ambnce.”


    “No need. The edge just caught me. Some bruising, nothing broken. Don’t worry <i>too </i>much.”


    His back was searing with pain, but Baron knew his own body well. It wasn’t as serious as it looked. The blood had been from the shock, not a mortal wound.


    Still, seeing Natalie’s tears for him filled him with a strange happiness.


    “Natalie… do I have a ce in your heart?”


    “Are you insane? You’re coughing blood and you’re still asking that?” Her voice trembled.


    “Baron, I don’t even know if I should yell at you or thank you. When danger hit, I hated myself for being useless. You reached Sean first, and as his mother I’m grateful–but watching you bleed, I thought my chest would split open. From the start, you’ve been in my heart. Maybe I don’t love you deeply yet, but you’re my husband, the father of my children, the man I want to spend my life with. Seeing you hurt tears me apart.”


    Baron suddenly felt lighter, as if the injury hardly mattered anymore.


    He had always thought Natalie stayed with him only out of duty–because of the children, because she had no choice.


    But now, hearing her words, the shadow over his heart lifted.


    So what if she didn’t love him deeply yet?


    <b>As </b>long <b>as </b>he had a ce in her heart, even a small one, there was hope. A spark <b>that </b>could <b>grow </b>into a fire.


    He leaned against her with a quiet murmur. “Wife, I really do hurt.”


    “Then lean on me. I’ll get you into the car, and we’ll go straight to the hospital.”


    Natalie held him up and hurried them into the vehicle.


    The driver sped off immediately.


    Baron’s voice was hoarse, but firm. “Call Yvonne. Have her investigate why that ride failed. And spread word of what happened. I refuse to believe this was just an ident.”


    Natalie stiffened.


    “You think someone did this on purpose?”


    Her chest clenched at the thought.


    If it was true, then whoever had nned it was monstrous. The ride had been packed with families, with children.


    Baron met her eyes, his own dark with certainty. “There’s no proof yet. But I won’t let it slide. Let the world see. Then we’ll find out.”