2
856%
fo
When I regained consciousness, the sharp smell of disinfectant burned my nose.
I had been rushed into the emergency room.
“Sweetheart,” the older nurse called me gently, her face full of pity. “Is there anyone else we can contact? We need someone to sign for your surgery.”
Fighting through the pain, I shakily scribbled my name. “I’ll sign for myself.”
As I drifted in and out of awareness, I heard their hushed conversation.
“Marrying the wrong man can ruin your life.”
“Tell me about it. Look at Gavin Carter’s wife–he was frantic over a scratch on that other
woman, but this one can’t even find him in her hour of need.”
The anesthesia began to take hold, and the overhead lights blurred into darkness.
But even then, Gavin’s voice echoed in my mind, full of irritation.
“Aria, stop touching my phone! Do you have any idea how important those files are?”
“Aria, Mom says you upset her again. Why can’t you show a little respect?”
“Aria, stop making that soup. I’m sick of it!”
“I said I’m not drinking it!”
The memory of a porcelain bowl shattering against the wall startled me awake. My skin still burned from where the scalding liquid had splashed me.
Oh, it was just a dream.
But why did the dream feel so painfully honest?
“Awake?” The nurse smiled, tucking the blanket around me. “The surgery went well, but
you’ll need time to recover. Let me know if the pain gets worse.”
18:56 Thu, Dec 12 GB.
J
00%
“And we need your family here for post–op care, but we can’t reach anyone…”
Before I could respond, a familiar voice drifted through the doorway.
♡ fo
“My heart nearly stopped when you weren’t in the room! You scared me half to death.”
“Gavin, I was afraid you’d leave…”
“Never. I’ll stay by your side.”
“I won’t let you go again, I promise.”
The nurse’s voice softened. “Well, you’ve got someone who cares about you.”
But as I watched Gavin leave, carrying her on his back like she was made of glass, the tears I held back finally spilled over.
No physical pain could compare to the ache in my chest.
Seven years ago, he had spun me around in giddy circles, promising, “I’ll love only you the rest of my life.”
How cruel it was that the same man had now driven a dagger straight into my heart.
