When Declan entered the ward and saw his sister, his anger dissipated. Worry shrouded his face. He hurried over and hugged her, kissing her on the top of her head.
"Thank goodness you are okay. I wouldn't have been able to face Mom if anything bad had happened to you."
"I am fine," Julia murmured with a smile. "It's just a minor injury."
Declan pulled back and stared at her, his thoughts drifting. "You love that boy so much."
He was somewhat surprised to learn that she risked her life to save her stepson. He felt proud of her as well, thinking she was nothing like Caroline.
"Nicholas is my son. How can I let those people hurt him? Declan…" She reached out and took his hand in hers. "Xander and Nicholas mean a lot to me. My existence will be meaningless without them. Can you stop fighting with Xander? Do you know how painful it is to watch my brother and my lover stand up against each other? It is terrible."
