Chapter 35
LEAH
“Don’t debate, don’t make excuses. It’s a simple question. Yes or no,” I say.
Aaron’s dark eyes are narrowed. He goes to reach for my hand and I yank it back.
“Aaron! Answer me.”
“Yes.’
What’s left of my heart breaks. Everything has been a lie. From the moment I set foot in his home. He’s always planned to rid himself of me, to wed and mate and make a family with another
person.
I’ve been used and abused for years.
And my sacrifices, my love, every slight I’ve put up with…it’s all been for nothing.
“You should leave,” I tell him.
“Not without you.”
I don’t have the strength to argue. My body hurts. My heart aches and I’m having a very difficult time thinking of a reason to
keep on living.
There are two sharp knocks on the door then the female ducks her head in.
“Oh, good,” she says. “You’re up.”
She briskly strides into the room and grabs my chart. She notes some things before coming over to examine me.
Aaron steps out of the way but doesn’t leave.
I read her namelag. “Dr. Moore, I would like to request that all information pertaining to my health is only shared directly with me. If there are forms I need to fill out, I will.”
She nods. “A nurse will come by with the documents.”
“Thank you.” I look at the man who at one time had meant everything to me. “Aaron, I think it’s best if you went home. There’s nothing more for you to do here.”
“I’ll wait. You might need something.”
He’s trying, I’ll give him that. But this man has single handedly broken me. “No. I don’t need anything from you.” I turn to the physician. “Dr. Moore, can you please contact security?”
“This isn’t over, Leah.” Aaron’s eyes glow.
The doctor doesn’t pick up on it because she’s too busy studying my vitals, but I see. Aaron’s shaking with anger and frustration
and I hold my breath waiting to see if he’ll leave or if this will turn into an even greater travesty.
Abruptly, he storms out of the room.
Dr. Moore and I both breathe sighs of relief.
“I was worried,” she admits quietly. “He’s a big sonofagun. And he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to give up. Or give in.”
“He isn’t.”
“We can step up the security around your room and I can instruct the staff to temporarily restrict him from the premises. But if you’re in real danger, you need to file a restraining order. We don’t have the resources to monitor your room or to ensure that he can’t access you. If he has harmed you, we need to call the police.”
“You know my prognosis, right?”
Her eyes are kind, sympathetic as she nods. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“Well, seeing as how I’m dying, there’s not a whole lot that my husband can actually do to me.”
This time she looks uncomfortable. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that. Predators… they don’t take too kindly to losing.”
Hmm. Aaron is a predator.
This human doctor got that part right.
But if he was already married to Jessica, then he never had me
to ‘lose’ in the first place…
