Chapter Forty-Seven

Nicole POV

Alec is playing quietly on the end of the bed; one of the nurses has given him some coloring pencils and a book to color in.

When Marian entered the room, my heart filled with joy; my friend hadn't changed in the last eight years. Holding back my tears, I tell her what my life has been like since I was forced to leave Michael’s territory and my baby girl behind.

“She is not a baby anymore, Nicole.”

“Where is she, Marian? Why didn't she come with you?”

Her big brown eyes glisten with tears as she says,

“Layla sent me to make sure it was really you.”

I close my eyes and smile as the image of Layla at ten years old enters my mind. Marian leans closer to me, whispering,

“She looks exactly like you, but she is tough Nicole; nobody can make her do anything if she doesn't want to.”

I chew my bottom lip and say,

“Unlike me, is that what you mean, Marian?”

She laughs,

“You know me better than that, Nicole; I would never judge you or your actions.”

Alec crawls up the be