Chapter Thirty Five

A frown creased her brow. She moaned and turned on her side away from him, drawing her legs up to scrunch herself into a protective ball.

She hadn't opened her eyes, wasn't aware of his presence, and Collins suddenly felt like a voyeur to deeply private grief. Yet it might also be physical pain.

'Jasmine' he called urgently. 'Should I get a nurse or doctor?'

Her head whipped around on the pillow. Startled eyes. Puzzlement.

'You're still here?' she asked, surprised.

'Are you okay?' he replied instead.

She sighed and carefully shifted her body to face him. 'I'll cope with it. Collins, You don't have to stay and nursemaid me.'

'I brought you to L.A., Jasmine.'

'I made the choice. I don't hold you or blame you for anything. And you've been more than generous, fixing all this for me. I'm sorry...'

'Don't apologise. I'm the one who should be apologising.'

She looked bewildered. 'What for?'

'Because I...' He gestured an appeal for some stay of judgment as he struggled for wor