Chapter 4 She Called, and He Went

Nathan's voice was so hoarse that he barely sounded like himself.

"What happened to our baby was my fault, and so was what happened at the cliff." He swallowed hard before continuing, "I kept choosing to leave you behind because I convinced myself you would always be there waiting for me."

I didn't turn around.

…

After a moment, Nathan stood and moved around the bed until he was facing me. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked completely exhausted. "I've made a decision. Starting today, I'm cutting Rosie out of my life."

That finally made me look at him.

The moment he caught my attention, he seemed to hold on to it like it was his last chance.

He said, "I'll make arrangements for her to leave, and I'll talk to my family. From now on, whatever happens to her won't be my responsibility."

His voice grew firmer as he went on, "I'll take care of you. I'll be there through physical therapy, no matter how long it takes. And whether your leg fully heals or not, I'm staying."

He sounded so certain, as if saying the right words now could somehow erase everything that had already happened—the baby we had lost, the years he had made me wait, and the memory of him prying my fingers from his hand one by one while I hung over the edge of a cliff.

I watched him for a moment before asking, "What if Rosie were standing outside that door right now?"

Nathan froze.

A second later, something shattered in the hallway.

A cup had fallen to the floor, and Rosie stood in the doorway, her face ghostly pale as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Nathan…" Her voice trembled. "Are you really abandoning me?"

The determination on Nathan's face vanished almost instantly, replaced by panic. Without thinking, he stepped toward her. "Rosie, don't get upset. That's not what I meant."

A quiet laugh escaped me, and he stopped in his tracks.

He turned back to me, panic flashing across his face. "Joslyn, I'm just worried she might do something. Give me a minute. I'll explain everything to her, then come right back."

There it was again—the same promise I had heard countless times before. For ten years, Nathan had been asking me to wait for him.

I leaned back against the pillow and closed my eyes. "Go."

He hesitated for a couple of seconds before following Rosie out of the room.

When the door clicked shut behind him, I opened my eyes to find my pillow already damp with tears.

…

That night, Rosie slit her wrist.

Nathan followed her gurney all the way to the emergency room and did not return until the next morning.

By the time he finally walked back into my room, I was already dressed. He stopped short the moment he saw me.

"Joslyn, where are you going?"

"For some tests," I replied.

"I'll go with you."

"There's no need."

I adjusted my sleeve, then looked at him. "Is Ms. Cooper awake?"

Nathan paused at the foot of my bed before answering, "They got to her in time. There was no nerve damage, but the doctor says she's at risk of hurting herself again. She can't be left alone."

I gave a small nod. "Then, take care of her if you want, Mr. Riley. You don't need to explain yourself to me."

His expression changed at once. "What did you just call me?"

"Mr. Riley."

His brows drew together. "I'm your husband."

I shot back, "A marriage certificate only proves we got registered. It doesn't prove anything else."

"Joslyn, what I promised you hasn't changed. Once Rosie is stable, I'll send her away." Nathan reached for me, but I stepped back before his hand could touch mine.

I looked at him. "And if she's never stable?"

"She will be."

I asked, "What happens the next time she cuts her wrist? Do you stay with her another night? And if she overdoses, do you stay for a month?"

I held his gaze. "She's threatening you with her life, Nathan. Do you really think you can walk away from that?"

Nathan's jaw tightened, and for a moment, he said nothing. Finally, he admitted quietly, "I can't just stand by and let her die."

I nodded once. "But you can stand there and let me wait."

"That's not what I mean."

"No," I said, my voice still calm. "It's just what you've been doing to me for the past ten years."

Just then, a nurse came in with my medication, breaking the tension between us.

Nathan took the cup of water from her and held it out to me. "Take your medicine first."

I looked at the cup but made no move to take it. "Put it down."