All Chapters of If I Can't Make You Stay: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

"Cammy, you know perfectly well that Rita has depression. Why would you provoke her? If anything happens to her, I will never forgive you! Take this as a lesson. From now on, stay away from her."With that, Quentin carried Rita into the Jeep and drove off.In the end, it was a kind stranger—unable to stand the sight—who brought me to the hospital.The doctor told me I had miscarried.Lying on the hospital bed, I kept replaying the moment Quentin walked away. My vision blurred with tears.I made myself a promise then, that from that day onward, I would never go near either of them again.I was setting him free.…The memory ended abruptly.Quentin acted as if he didn't see how pale I was, reminding me coolly, "If there's nothing else, go back. As a military officer's wife, you should know better than to waste medical resources."I nodded. "Alright."He continued, "I'll be with Rita for the next few days. Don't come looking for me unless it's something important."I nodded ag

I forced a small smile and said casually, "Pregnant women get emotional. It'll pass in a moment."Quentin let out a breath of relief."Good. I forgot to ask—what kind of locket do you want? How about a star-shaped one? Supplies are tight these days; simpler designs are better."I froze, surprised he cared enough to ask. If only he had cared this much before."Sure," I said softly. "Whatever you decide."He nodded, reassured, and headed for the door. But just before he stepped out, he turned again."You're really okay?"I parted my lips. Suddenly, a thin thread of hope rose inside me."If I weren't okay… would you stay with me?"He paused—only for a heartbeat—then smiled."Cammy, don't be ridiculous. Rita's still waiting for me at the hospital. Go to bed early. I'm leaving."The door closed. And I finally broke.I cried for choosing the wrong man.I cried for how foolish I was—still holding out hope for someone who had already shown me the ending.I cried because, deep dow

If the book had flown even a little farther, it would've hit her eye."What happened, Lily?" The head nurse carefully dabbed disinfectant over the wound while speaking with obvious concern.Lily Altman had joined the hospital staff earlier that year. She was only nineteen and unmarried. Now she had an injury on her face. If it scarred, it could even affect her future prospects for marriage.Lily understood that too. Her eyes reddened the moment she saw the head nurse."Mrs. Grant, she's the one who threw something at me." She pointed at Rita, looking thoroughly wronged.The head nurse's expression chilled."Miss, don't you have anything to say for yourself? We live in a cultured society. Hurting people without cause carries consequences."Rita had calmed down by then. Panic flickered in her eyes at the head nurse's words. Instinctively, she looked toward Quentin, hoping he would defend her.Catching her gaze, Quentin moved to speak for her out of habit."Rita didn't mean it. S

Unfortunately, none of this had anything to do with me anymore.On the other side of town, Quentin returned home."Cammy! Cammy! I know I was wrong, Cammy! I'm sorry! I bought the locket you wanted! Cammy!"But no matter how loudly he called, no one answered.Panic surged up his spine.He searched the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom…They were all empty.A sudden thought struck him. He opened the wardrobe. Half the clothes were gone.Everything that belonged to me had disappeared, except for one white dress, the one he bought for our wedding.I was nineteen then. I had said to him, "Quentin, when we get married, can you buy me a white dress?"He agreed.And on our wedding day, I did wear that beautiful white dress.But our marriage brought no happiness.Quentin remembered that day too. I had my hair in braids, cheeks flushed with shy warmth. In front of both families, I placed my hand in his.I said, "Quentin, from now on, we're a family."The cheerful scene still