The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 104: Family reunion

Chapter 104: Family reunion

As Beatrix entered the hospital room, she was greeted by the faint sound of Damien’s breathing.

The doctors had been able to manage Damien’s seizures and he was okay. At least for now.

She walked over to his bedside and gently brushed a strand of hair off his forehead. Damien’s eyes fluttered open and he looked up at Beatrix, confusion written all over his face.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Beatrix asked softly, taking Damien’s hand in hers.

Damien’s eyes focused on Beatrix’s face and a weak smile appeared on his lips. "Bea...trix," he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Beatrix grabbed a cup of water from the tray and held it to Damien’s lips. He drank greedily, his throat parched and dry.

"Welcome back, my love," Beatrix said softly, stroking Damien’s cheek. "I’ve been so worried about you."

Damien reached up and took Beatrix’s hand in his own, giving it a weak squeeze. "I’m sorry...for worrying you," he whispered.

Beatrix shook her head and leaned down to kiss Damien’s forehead. "It’s okay, all that matters is that you’re awake now. And I’m going to take care of you, every step of the way."

"Thank you." Damien croaked, his voice barely above a whisper as he tried to sit up, but he was too weak. Beatrix quickly helped him adjust his pillows and propped him up so he was more comfortable.

"Here, let me help you eat something," Beatrix said, pulling out a tray of food from the hospital bed’s table.

Damien looked at the tray of food and his stomach growled. Beatrix chuckled and began spooning some broth into Damien’s mouth. Damien eagerly swallowed the broth and asked for more.

"You seem like you have lost weight." Damien frowned.

Beatrix forced out a smile, "Yeah...I need to be able to fit in the wedding gown."

Damien stiffened as if he couldn’t believe that she would want to marry him.

He said nothing again, his brows furrowed in thought as she fed him.

Even though his facial burns had fully healed they had bandaged it to prevent him from seeing it.

They were afraid that he couldn’t bear the shock.

After she finished she gently wiped the corners of his mouth with a damp cloth. Damien’s face was contorted in pain, and he was sweating profusely.

It had been a difficult few days for Damien, who had been struggling with seizures since he woke up from his coma; his seizures were unpredictable and left him exhausted and drained. Beatrix had been by his side through it all, taking care of him and making sure he had everything he needed.

As she finished cleaning him up, Damien let out a sigh and closed his eyes. Beatrix knew that he was exhausted and needed to rest, so she stood up and began to tidy up the room. She was just about to leave when Damien spoke up in a weak voice.

"Thank you, Beatrix," he said, opening his eyes and looking at her with gratitude. "I don’t know what I would do without you."

Beatrix felt a lump form in her throat as she looked at Damien. She had never seen him like this, and it broke her heart to see him suffering. But despite everything, she knew that she had to be strong for him.

"It’s okay, Damien," she said, forcing a smile. "I’m just glad that you’re okay now. You don’t have to thank me. Get well soon so that I can marry you."

Beatrix smiled and squeezed Damien’s hand.

Damien nodded and closed his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. Beatrix watched him for a few moments before standing up and gently tucking him in.

When she left the room she found Rhys standing at the entrance waiting for her.

"How is he?" He asked .

"He is fine now. Just need to rest."

Rhys nodded.

"Your family is coming tomorrow. They had called Xavier and had inquired about you. They think something has happened to you."

Beatrix frowned. She had been too worried about Damien that she had forgotten to call them.

Knowing how overprotective they were she knew they were probably worried about her.

"I should call them." Beatrix said.

"Well it won’t make a difference though. They wouldn’t believe anything until they have seen you with their own eyes."

Beatrix sighed, "What if they come and they tell me to go with them?"

Rhys sighed, "I don’t know Beatrix. Unless you’re married to Damien you’re still a Quinn and they can take you away. Now they have enough reasons to break the marriage arrangement ."

Beatrix’s heart sank in her chest, "Why?What do you mean they have enough reasons to break this marriage arrangement?"

Rhys sighed, "Well Damien was severely injured and he still hasn’t fully recovered yet. He is disfigured now and the Russians had caused a lot of damage.

He isn’t as powerful as he used to be. This marriage wouldn’t benefit your father. And even if he decides to take you away we are not powerful enough to stop him now."

Beatrix couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She had always known that her marriage to Damien was a business arrangement, but she had also grown to care for him deeply.

Beatrix’s heart ached at the thought of Damien’s disappointment and her own sense of betrayal. She stood up, her fists clenched at her sides. "I won’t allow this. I’ll speak to my father myself and try to change his mind."

Rhys stood as well, reaching out to place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Okay. I have to make arrangements with Xavier. Will you be okay by yourself?"

Beatrix nodded, "Yeah take care of yourself."

Rhys smiled and pressed a kiss on her forehead, "I will."

*********

Xavier stood nervously at the airport terminal, checking his watch for the hundredth time.

He had been tasked with picking up Beatrix’s father and brothers from their flight and he was determined to make a good impression.

He had polished his shoes and ironed his suit, determined to present a professional and trustworthy image. He couldn’t let them see how devastated he has been these past few days.

He was doing this for Damien. He knew how much Damien had fallen in love with Beatrix and it would kill him if they took her away.

As he watched the passengers begin to disembark from the plane, he spotted Matteo, Remo and Mr.Quinn.

He made his way over to them and cleared his throat, trying to project confidence. "Mr.Quinn? Nice to see you again, I’m here to pick you and your sons up."

Beatrix’s father, a gruff and imposing man, nodded curtly. "Alright, let’s go. We have business to attend to."

Xavier nodded, trying to hide his nerves as he led the group through the airport and out to the waiting car.

He opened the doors for them, carefully loading their luggage into the trunk before climbing into the driver’s seat.

As they made their way through the busy streets of the city, Xavier tried to make small talk with Beatrix’s brothers, hoping to ingratiate himself with them. They responded with monosyllabic grunts, clearly not interested in making conversation.

"Where is Beatrix?" Remo was the first one to speak cutting straight to the chase.

Xavier met Remo’s gaze in the mirror. He couldn’t help but shiver. He may be cruel but Remo was far worse than him.

"She is waiting for you at home." Xavier replied simply.

"Hmm. You fucking Americans better pray she is still alive and well or—"

"Remo!" His father scolded him, interrupting him.

He snorted and looked out of the window.

Xavier had already spoken to Beatrix, they had gone over the whole plan.

They will tell them the truth about Damien’s condition and if they insist she leaves with them she would show them fake documents that she had already married Damien in a court.

It was a risky plan but knowing how overprotective they were, this was the only way they could think of.

He pulled the car into his house. It was where they would be meeting Beatrix.

He saw Beatrix waiting anxiously outside for them. The moment he turned off the engine, Matteo opened the door and got down followed by her dad and Remo

Without waiting for them to approach her, Beatrix ran towards the car, her long skirts flowing behind her. Beatrix threw herself into her father’s arms, hugging him tightly.

"Oh Daddy, I’ve missed you so much!" she exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Mr. Quinn chuckled, patting her head affectionately.

"I’ve missed you too, my dear. But let me catch my breath, I’m not as young as I used to be."

Beatrix giggled, releasing him from her embrace. "I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I just missed you so much."

Mr. Quinn smiled down at her, his eyes filled with love. "I know, my darling. And I missed you too. But now that I’m back, we can catch up and spend some quality time together."

Beatrix beamed up at him, her heart overflowing with happiness at being reunited with her beloved father and brothers.

Even though she was afraid of the outcome at the end of the day.