Chapter 4

I paused, then realized why Elmer Murray had come.

He must have seen the morning's headlines. I hurriedly rubbed at my eyes and forced a smile.

"The wind was strong outside. I must have gotten some dust in my eyes on the way home."

Lexi immediately played along, slipping an arm around me and nodding.

"That's right. And I was just helping him get it out."

Elmer studied the two of us for a few seconds. Seeing us sitting together so intimately, with Lexi taking care of me as though nothing had happened, the worry in his eyes finally eased.

He didn't press us any further. Instead, he headed into the kitchen, saying that he'd prepare dinner so the three of us could sit down together that evening.

The moment he was out of sight, Lexi started to stand up.

I quickly grabbed her arm. "Where are you going?"

"It's getting late. I need to check on Finley."

"What? Today is Thursday. You gave me your word!"

"I married you, while Finley has been left with no title and no place in my life," she said, trying to pull her arm free. "He has already given up so much for me, and he's lost weight because of it. Now that I'm pregnant, the baby needs its father too. I'm going to stay with him for the next few days."

I tightened my grip, refusing to let her go. "My dad is here! You can't leave!"

She pulled harder. "Edward, stop this."

I lost my balance and stumbled backward. My heel caught on the edge of the rug, and I went down hard, the back of my head striking the floor as the room tilted violently around me.

Then everything went black.

...

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital room.

The doctor cited extreme emotional distress combined with severe sleep deprivation.

Lexi hadn't left after all. When Friday morning arrived, she was still sitting right beside my bed.

"It's Friday," I rasped. "Why are you still here?"

She picked up the tray and scooped a spoonful of oatmeal into a spoon, blowing on it before bringing it to my lips.

"The doctor said you're under a lot of emotional strain," she sighed. "I'm your wife, so taking care of you is what I should be doing."

The warm food settled in my empty stomach and sent a small measure of comfort through my battered body.

For a brief, dangerous moment, I almost let myself believe that maybe she still cared. But in the next instant, a phone call dragged me straight back to reality.

Lexi answered immediately, and Finley's weak voice came through the speaker after a quiet cough.

"Lexi? I think I have a fever. I can't find any medicine..."

The line suddenly went silent, and Lexi's chest tightened. In the next second, she scrambled up from her chair, preparing to rush out regardless of everything.

"Where are you going?" I asked, my voice tight. "Aren't you going to take care of me as you promised?"

She stopped with a frown, finally looking back. "Finley isn't feeling well."

Her eyes took in my pale face and the hospital bed beneath me. A flicker of hesitation crossed her features before she added quietly, "Next time, I'll choose you."

With that, she walked out of the room.

The winter wind howled outside the windows, rattling the glass and sending a deep chill through me.

How could I still be waiting for her to choose me? She smiled bitterly, silently mocking myself for ever believing I mattered more.

Then, without warning, a pair of large, heavy hands clamped tightly over my mouth and nose. I struggled instinctively, clenching my hand so tightly that my fingernails dug into my palm.