Foul Play 🩷

Thirty-Three

Henry let out a sigh of relief as he sat beside Millicent in the back of the ambulance, her eyes slowly fluttering open. He gently cradled her hand in his, his concern evident in his eyes. "Baby... you scared me," he admitted, his voice filled with worry.

Millicent groaned, her hand instinctively moving to her side. "What happened?"

The paramedic responded softly, explaining the situation as she checked Millicent's vital signs. "Ma'am, you were stabbed, and you passed out."

Millicent glanced between Henry, who held her hand tightly, and the paramedic. "Am I okay?"

"You're fine," the paramedic reassured her. "You're lucky, though. The knife only grazed your side. You'll need some stitches, but you'll be okay."

Millicent sighed in relief and nodded, her gaze returning to Henry, who remained upset and visibly angry. "Henry?"

He didn't respond, his jaw clenched as he sat silently by, watching the medical team tend to her. The ambulance eventually came to a stop, and the doors swung open. Millicent was transferred onto a stretcher and taken into the hospital.

Henry followed closely, his protective instincts in full force. He watched as they cleaned the wound and stitched her up, only speaking when necessary to answer questions from the police.

The officer inquired about Ben Walker, confirming if he had pulled out a knife. Millicent noticed Henry's agitation and realized why he was so upset. "He went for me, but Millicent pushed me out of the way. Where is he?"

"He's under police custody," the officer informed them. "With the attack and the drugs on his person, he'll be behind bars for a while."

Millicent sighed with relief and thanked the officer. She couldn't help but wonder about Ben's fate but decided it was best not to dwell on it.

"Can I take her home?" Henry impatiently asked as the officer left, and the doctor returned to the room.

"Yes, you can," the doctor replied. "Just keep an eye on the wound and bring her back in if it looks like it's infected."

Henry nodded, offering Millicent his sweatshirt as she changed out of the hospital gown. "Come on, Shortcake. Our parents are waiting for us at your house."

As they arrived at Millicent's house, Henry was still visibly upset, but he didn't want to have an argument in front of their friends. He kept his emotions in check until they were alone. Millicent, however, couldn't let it go. She needed to understand why he was so angry.

"You're mad..." she finally pointed out when they were halfway back to her house.

Henry sighed, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. "We'll talk about it later. I can't right now."

She didn't press further, understanding that he needed some time to cool down. At least Ben was behind bars, a small sense of justice had been served.

They pulled into the driveway, and Millicent chased after Henry, grabbing his arm before he could enter the house as Abby and Bobby pulled in behind them. She needed answers.

"You're mad! Why?!" she demanded.

Henry turned to face her, frustration etched across his face, his anger finally bubbling to the surface. "You're fucking right I'm mad! At Ben! At you!"

"Me?!" Millicent scoffed, genuinely confused as Henry took a step closer. "Why me?"

"Because you pushed me out of the way!" he yelled, his voice laced with anger. "Why would you do that?! He could have hurt you! Killed you!"

Millicent closed her eyes, sighing deeply, before reopening them to meet Henry's furious gaze. "I'm sorry, Henry..."

"Are you?" He yelled back, his voice echoing in the driveway, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"No!" She yelled back, catching him off guard. "I'm not sorry I saved you! I love you!"

Henry's anger seemed to deflate at her words, and he pulled her into a tight embrace, his anger replaced with relief and vulnerability. "I love you," he said softly, repeating the words as if trying to reassure himself. "You shouldn't have done that, Milly."

"I couldn't have you risk your future, Henry!" Millicent explained earnestly, tears in her eyes as she gazed up at him. "You wouldn't have been able to play rugby if he hurt you."

Henry sighed, shaking his head as he held her hands. "My future means nothing if you're not there with me, Shortcake," he confessed, his voice filled with emotion.

Millicent nodded, understanding his perspective now, and leaned up to kiss him. He responded with equal intensity, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. "I'm sorry. I promise that next time, I will let you get stabbed," she teased.

Henry chuckled, his eyes filled with warmth. "Thank you. Come inside. I have something to tell you."

Confused but intrigued, Millicent followed him into the house, hand in hand. Abby and Bobby trailed closely behind. She greeted her father, assuring him she was fine, and received congratulations on her engagement.

"What other surprise do you have, Henry?" she asked curiously as Henry drew her to his side.

He beamed, squeezing her hand as he prepared to share his exciting news. "Last week, I signed a contract to play for the English Rugby team starting this fall..."

Millicent gasped, her eyes wide with excitement as she looked at Henry. "Oh my god, Henry! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"I wanted to wait until tonight, after giving you the ring," he admitted with a small sigh. "We got a little derailed. But we made it."

Tears of happiness welled up in Millicent's eyes. "I'm so proud of you," she said, her voice filled with pride and love.

Unable to contain his excitement, Henry kissed her passionately. It was a moment of pure joy and celebration. Only when his father cleared his throat did they remember they were surrounded by family.

Colin approached them with a smile. "I'm really proud of you, Henry. And I'm sorry we didn't believe in you."

Henry smiled back, feeling a deep sense of validation and acceptance. "That's okay, Dad. I'm glad I have a degree to fall back on in case something happens," he replied, acknowledging the well-wishes from the rest of his family.