Chapter 4

"Finley, I'm back. Don't worry. I'm here now."

The voice on the other end of the call felt like it belonged to another lifetime.

It had been so long. So long that I'd forgotten what Claire's voice sounded like when it was gentle, or how she used to say my name.

The younger me only replied with a detached, "Thanks."

Claire sounded hurt. "Finley, why are you thanking me all of a sudden?"

He didn't answer. She didn't press him either, only urging Dr. Castro to prepare for surgery as quickly as possible.

A little while later, he finally pulled the phone out from under his blanket.

"The moment the surgery's over, I'm leaving. I won't be there for the proposal."

I nodded, a weight lifting from my chest.

When I got home, Claire came in right behind me. Kenneth was with her, crying his eyes out.

She grabbed my wrist furiously. "Did you tell Grandpa about Kenneth and me?"

Pain shot through my arm. The injuries I'd suffered saving her in that car accident had never fully healed, but she'd long since forgotten.

I jerked my hand free and met her with an icy stare. "I wouldn't stoop to exposing your dirty little secrets. If you aren't ashamed of yourselves, that's your problem. I'm ashamed to even be associated with it."

Something flickered in her eyes. Then she let out a cold laugh. "Ashamed? You're always so self-righteous. If Grandpa knew, he'd send Kenneth away for you. So why keep pretending?"

Kenneth was nearly sobbing beside her. A bright red handprint marked his cheek.

"Finley, I'm begging you. I just want to stay with Claire. I don't even care if I never have a title."

With a thud, he dropped to his knees in front of me.

"Please..."

Before I could react, Claire yanked him back to his feet, her face full of concern. Then she turned to me.

"Why do you have to push him this far? He's never tried to take anything from you. He's always stayed quietly by my side, never trying to compete with you."

As she spoke, she slowly shook her head. Disappointment filled her eyes.

"When did you become someone so hostile? You're nothing like the Finley I used to know."

Something inside my chest twisted. Bitterness washed over me, followed by quiet ridicule. "I've changed? What about you? Haven't you changed, too? The first person to change was you."

The younger Claire's voice echoed through my earbuds. "The surgery's been scheduled. They're taking you into the operating room soon. Don't be scared. I'm right here.

"When you come out, we're getting married. I'll stay with you forever, whether your legs recover or not. And if they don't, I'll be your legs for the rest of my life."

Her voice trembled with tears. It was gentle and loving. That only made the cold, indifferent woman standing in front of me hurt even more.

My eyes reddened.

Claire froze. When she spoke again, her tone had softened. "As long as you apologize to Kenneth, I'll let this go."

I closed my eyes. "Apologize… What for? What has he ever done to deserve one? Claire, get out."

"Finley!" Her voice dropped as her chest rose and fell with anger. "You said it yourself. If I leave, I'm never coming back."

I averted my gaze.

She stared at me for a long moment. "Fine. Come on, Kenneth."

After they left, the house fell silent.

I lowered my head with a bitter smile, packed the rest of my belongings, and headed straight for the airport.

More than ten hours later, the younger Finley suddenly broke down sobbing in my earbuds.

"Finley, I sent her away. It's finally over."

Relief washed over me. At the same time, every memory I had of Claire began fading from my mind.

Meanwhile, Claire was at work reviewing documents when a wave of dizziness hit her without warning. She collapsed.

When she opened her eyes again, Grandpa O'Neill and Kenneth were sitting beside her.

"Grandpa? What happened to me?" She looked around the room, disappointment flashing across her face.

Then she asked stiffly, "Where's Finley? I'm sick. Why isn't he here?"

Grandpa O'Neill smacked her lightly on the arm.

"Your husband's Kenneth. Why are you asking about a classmate you haven't seen in ten years?"