Savage Crown II

33. Thirty Three

Natalia
I woke up and found myself in bed back at home. The light coming in was bright as if another day had passed. It was quicly confirmed as I looked over to the digital clock on the nightstand saw that it was actually two days that had passed . A warm presence was felt behind me, one that had me thinking for a mere second that it was Callum. That I had just awakened from a nightmare only for myself to be reminded that it wasn't. Callum wasn't the one by my side, it was Nora. As I rose from the bed she woke up too.

The pain was too much as it all sunk in that it made me sob uncontrollably. Nora lazily rubbed her eyes as she scooted herself closer to pull me in close and hug me. "He can't be gone Nora he can't! He promised us he'd come back!"

"I know I know Nat, cry for now let it all out" she softly whispered. "Where's my baby? Where Zoey?" I quickly asked, "how do I even tell her father is dead when she's just bonded with him?" I cried. Callum cannot be dead, he just can't... this is all so surreal."

"Zoey is with Bianca and Ronan, they haven't told her anything yet" Nora said. "They'd thought it'd be best for her to stay with them while you were sedated." Nora continued as she wiped away my tears. "Sedated?" I lifted a brow, "who the hell gave the okay to have me sedated for two days!?" I asked angrily. "Adrián gave the orders after you fainted back at the safe house." Nora paused, "Adrián, your dad and Ronan all agreed it was best to sedate you to prevent you from doing something as crazy like going on a suicide mission."

"-Ronan and Bianca will take care of Zoey that way you can have some space to mourn." .

"Callum cannot be dead Nora... my husband is not dead. Until they bring me my husband's fucking body in a body bag I'm not going to believe in anything else other than he's coming home." I said as more tears fell, " and as of today no one is sedating me anymore!"

There was a loud knock at the bedroom door before it opened and in walked Elijah and Owen. They had their arms all bandaged up and Elijah had a huge patch of gauze covering his right cheek. His eyes were red and swollen as he walked in. "Natalia, we have a planner waiting for you downstairs"

"A planner?" I raised a brow at him, "for what?" I asked as He locked his blue eyes to the floor and stuttered in his words, "a f-funeral planner for Callum. While you were out both families have been organizing everything and it just requires your final approval" he sighed.

"We don't need one Elijah. My husband isn't dead" I said coldly. "He's gone Natalia." He said with a sad heart. "They'll be waiting down stairs for you. You can see them after you've seen the family lawyer and the people who will be reading you his will."

"I have one question for you Elijah." I asked as tears fell from my cheeks and I wobbled my way weakily over to him, "where the hell were you when all of this happened?" I hit his chest with my fists as I began to shove him, "why couldn't you help him?!!" I yelled. Elijah stood still and took all the punches as he silently began to cry he pulled me into his arms as I stopped hitting him, "I'm sorry Natalia, I've failed you and Zoey. We were all running from the basement when something made him go back"

"Go back?" I asked pulling away from his arms. "Yeah had all gone down to the basement when we smelled the gas. He ordered us to run out so we all did and he was right behind us one minute and the next he was gone... the fire ravaged the entire house. We barley made it out the house everyone sustained damages." He paused and took a deep breath, "we...we tried to go back in through the basement window.... but it was too late."

"Your brothers should be here with the lab results soon Natalia. This will put any doubts you have to rest." Eli said as he let me go and held onto my hand leading me downstairs to Callum's Office. There were three men in suits sitting down in front of Callum's desk. I went and took a seat at the head of the desk where Callum would sit. The three men were all bald and wore thick black framed glasses. Their Skin was as pale as a vampire 's . I had seen my fare share of these men serving as the liason for my family. They were nothing money hungry lawyers.

"Mrs. Clarke we are sorry to hear about your loss. Mr. Clarke was a wonderful person" The oldest and bulkiest one said, My name is Robert Graves and these are my associates, "Samson and Preston." We are here to read Mr. Clarkes will today... but before we continue we do have some questions in regards to you and your family that are not listed in this will"

I stared at them confused, it hadn't even been a week and these people were already here, "and what about my family would you like to know?" I asked. "We were just made aware by Ronan Clarke that Callum had fathered a child with you under the legal name Zoey Maeve De Leon and as of recently under her legitimate name Clarke." He paused as he pressed his glasses upwards, "there seems to be no mention of this child or any for that matter in his will. However, if you can prove she truly is his daughter there is a clause that will activate." My anger began to boil, "my daughter will not be poked and proded for money." I stated annoyed. Robert gave a small grin as if he was pleased with my answer, "Therefore, she will not be receiving any funds or properties as Mr. Clarke has no legitimate heir on paper. "

"Get out!" I yelled, " All of you out this instant or I will have sercuity escort you out! My daughter and I don't need your fucking money!" I yelled as another man in a grey slim suit entered the office with my brothers. "I'm sorry I'm late, my name is Brian Seamus, I represent the Clarke Family, and we fully object to the paternity challenge of Zoey Maeve Clarke. Article 5 Section 2 of Mr. Clarke's will states his wife is free to do as she pleases with the funds and properties, and other assets to his name and that it is not limited to her family as well. Meaning Zoey Maeve Clarke will have access to anything her hearts desires"

"I don't need anything from you people" I cried. Gio and Leo slowly walked over to me and hugged me, "we just want to make sure you and Zoey are taken care of Natalia"

"He's not dead Gio." I sobbed nodding my head side to side as he wrapped his arms around me, "he can't be dead... not like this...these people here are questioning my daughter's blood as if her father's blood didn't run through her. As if he didn't just die" I cried, "they're nothing but fucking thieves." I cried as the three men left leaving me and brothers alone with Brian. "With all due respect to you and your family we will postpone this for a day when Natalia is better." Brian said lowering his eyes to the floor, "I am sorry for your loss Mrs. Clarke please take as much time as you need before reaching out to me to get all of this settled. He waved goodbye to my brothers and exited the office. Nora walked in carrying a wooden tray with a tea cup. " this will help you Nat drink up"she smiled, "I know you won't eat but atleast some fluids in you will keep you healthy" Gio added.

I grabbed the tea cup from the tray and slowly began to sip the warm tea. Elijah and Owen entered the office and closed the doors behind them. Gio placed and envelope on the desk. "I know this is hard Natalia but here is what was left behind." He sighed, "this is how we were able to confirm that it was Callum who died" I stared at the envelope on my desk for a while and didn't say a word. Until I finally looked up at everyone, "can you all please leave me alone? And someone please ask Ronan and Bianca if they can keep Zoey for a bit longer. I need to be alone for a bit. You all have sedated me for two days and on the first day I'm awake you bring in these people into my home and expect me to act right? I haven't even had time to process my husband's death. I am a mess and I can't have Zoey seeing me like this right now and I-I can't look her in the eyes and tell her father's gone just yet when even I haven't had the proper time to accept it"

"And for everything that is happening you can't keep sedating me!" I angrily turned over to Gio and Leo. "I won't do something stupid and unplanned but I can't process this at all if I'm being put down like I'm crazy!"

Gio stepped forward, " I'll tell Ronan and Biance Nat. Take as much time as you need" he said looking over to Elijah and Owen signaling them to exit the office.

Elijah stepped forward with Owen before leaving. "We will be staying here for sercuity reasons Natalia. Don't worry we will be out of your hair." He lowly said.

"Thank you guys" I said as my body began feeling exhuasted and my eyelids grew heavier in each breath I took. The tea cup slipped from my grasp as my hands grew limp and heavy. The cup hit the floor shattering on contact, "Gio why?" I uttered out as my vision warped and I felt his arms come inder me and lift me out of the seat throwing me over his shoulder, "I'm sorry little sis...we can't have...irrational actions....or getting hurt...let us...care....it" his voice grew distant with each breath I took as whatever was in that tea carried me away into a dream state and fighting it was of no use. They had sedated me again.