ROSE'S POV"Uhm... Doctor?" I hasten my pace to meet up with them. "What did you say about Ryan?" My voice is rough. Calm. Down. I take deep breaths."I thought you went in...uhm..." His eyes dart around, looking for a quick excuse. Then, he sighs and gestures forward. "Let's go to my office.""No." I shake my head and stamp my feet on the ground. "You started talking already, just complete what you were saying.""Okay." He smiles, but it's tight with no teeth. "Ryan's heart is really weak. He's been diagnosed with HCM for a long time now. The results of today's test showed he didn't live the simple, healthy life prescribed for him." He adds with a shrug. "Guess his heart can't take it anymore." Then, he chuckles.Was that supposed to be a joke? "That's not funny, it's just offensive." My face twist in disgust. My fist involuntarily clench. Micah steps closer, putting his hands around mine and trying to calm me. "I'm sorry Miss." Dr. Paul says, but he doesn't sound sorry. "Mr Ryan wi
ROSE'S POV Slowly, the realization of what he's saying hits me. I shake my head and recoil backwards. Is this good news? No, no, no. My heart sinks. I can't return to Florida. I can't leave Ryan alone, not when he needs me the most."What's wrong?" Micah sits beside me, pulling me up."I can't go. We can't leave Ryan here alone." I try to stay calm."The nurses will look after him." His voice is soothing."They can't." I turn around and face him directly. "I need to watch over him myself; he's my man. Tell the court to reschedule." I fold my arms stubbornly."The court can't reschedule." He sighs and straightens up from me. "We were the ones who begged for an early date." "Then let the lawyer appear in court alone.""You're swearing to a damn affidavit, you have to be there in person." He says loudly, then visibly breathes. He grits his teeth and kicks the air, barely restraining himself."Why are you raising your voice at me? I have to be here to take care of my man." I challenge.
ROSE'S POV "What is wrong?" I ask my voice cracking as he begins convulsing, pressing his neck and his face turning red. "Ryan? My goodness." My voice cracks. I put my hands over his, trying to help smooth his chest. I jump off his thighs and kneel in front of him. "What should I do?" He just continues shaking, his face squeezing in pain, his words a jumbled mess, the only thing I can make out is "I can't breath!" I search his pockets frantically. "Where are the blood busters?" "It's it's done. I used them all." He stammers. "So... You're leav-leaving to Florida?" I look at him like he's crazy. "You can't be asking me that right now!" I snap, more mad at myself for bringing it earlier. I lean into him, my entire body trembling. I hold his big palms in mine and struggle to maintain eye contact. "Just stay with me, please." I choke out. I quickly adjust my dress down. I press the button and adjust Ryan's clothes as the barricade rises up. Micah turns to us. Confusion lining his
67 ROSE'S POV "Here we are!" Micah announces as we reach the station. I quickly unfix the seat belt and rush out of the car."Relax." Micah turns around the car and leads into the reception area. "Excuse me." He leaves me here for a while to meet with the officer in another room."Great " I try to sit as calmly as I can to wait for Ryan but the moment I see him walking in, I loose every bit of restraint left and rush toward him, throwing my hands around his neck. "Ryan!""Baby.""What happened? Are you okay?" I try to check every part of his body to ensure he's okay.The officer sneers as he returns Ryan's property to him. "You're a free man until Desmond is sound to decide if he's pressing charges.""Where's Desmond?" I hate how worried I sound. I don't care about him, but maybe I'm just realizing I don't hate him enough to want him dead."The hospital." The way he says the words grudgingly like he wished Desmond was in the mortuary instead.I smiles. He's so sweet. I want to kiss
OSE'S POV"Where did you say Ryan is again?" I ask, looking over my shoulder as we step into the elevator."Uhm... I told you already." He scratch his head for a brief second. "He's at the firm already waiting for us.""But why would he leave so early without waking me?" I shift to the corner for a man to step out. I turn to Micah. "He didn't come to bed last night, Micah.""Yeah... We were working all night." He sounds a bit distracted.I shake my head. I'm just being paranoid. "So, who's this lawyer we're going to meet with?""Our lawyer directed us to him." He answers, adjusting his suit."I have a feeling that Ryan is not okay. And my hutch is never wrong." He laughs but he sounds nervous. "Ryan's fine." He says avoiding my gaze as we step out of the building and into the parking lot."Why isn't his line even connecting, Micah? I'm worried sick. What if he's..." My voice trails off as I enter the front passenger seat. I don't why I have this odd feeling. "Did he have a cardiac ar
RYAN'S POV As I step out of the master's bedroom and round the corner to the living room. I snap again. "Are you serious? You don't know any good murder attorneys?" I ask, pulling out a chair from the barstand and dropping my weight into it. Micah takes one of the empty stools. "Desmond's not working alone, and that's his confidence." He ignores my question and goes off saying something else with his hands clasped together and staring off into space. "There are better ways to handle this." He finally looks in my direction. "Better ways like what?" I turn around to stare at him, folding my palms against my chin and feigning concern. After a long beat, we both say it together. "Go to court." He looks serious, but I just laugh it off. "Court? How many times have you been to court? How many times have you discussed this with your lawyer?" "We've been missing the point this whole time and using the wrong approach." He simply says. "We need a solid plan to take Desmond down. Any ide