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All Chapters of Returned to Sender: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Nathan did not return to the hospital until the next morning."Nathan, what did you promise me before you left?"He took off his coat, exhaustion in his voice."Your mom was stabilized. The doctor said she's out of immediate danger. Do we really have to fight about this right now?""What did you promise me?"He finally looked at me."To stay overnight and keep an eye on her oxygen monitor.""Then why was nobody there to acknowledge the alarm?"He went quiet for two seconds and pinched the bridge of his nose."Camille had an interview this morning. She couldn't do it without her glasses. I dropped them off and planned to come straight back. Traffic was worse than I expected."My mother, Helen, had suffered a sudden drop in oxygen saturation during the night.She fell out of bed and split her forehead badly enough to need four stitches.By the time a nurse found her, she was barely conscious.In Nathan's version of events, all of that mattered less than Camille Sterling need

Chapter 2

A week later, Mom was discharged.I had barely finished the paperwork when the moving company called."Ms. Fairchild, the piano is ready. Mr. Caldwell asked us to deliver it to your home today."I called Nathan immediately."That piano isn't coming into the house."His voice stayed calm."It's only for a few days. Once Camille's place is finished, we'll move it there.""My mother is severely allergic to dust and mold.""Then keep her away from the piano."Nathan's voice cooled."I loaned Camille the money to buy that piano years ago. When she moved overseas, it went into storage. I found it again. I'm responsible for returning it in good condition."I looked through the glass toward Mom.She sat on the edge of the hospital bed waiting for me, still pale."If you want to return it, send it to her. Don't put it in our home.""The house belongs to me too."Then he hung up.That evening, Nathan posted in the family group chat that it was his grandmother's birthday and the C

Chapter 3

I helped Mom toward the hallway.Nathan caught my wrist from behind."The song is three minutes. Stay until it's finished."His fingers pressed hard against the bones in my wrist.I turned."Let go.""Grandma's been waiting for this song. Don't ruin it.""My mother can't breathe.""She was just discharged. It can't be that serious."I pulled free and handed Mom her rescue inhaler.Camille had already stopped playing.She looked stricken."Is the dust on the piano bothering Mrs. Fairchild?"I'm sorry. I should've thought of that."She started to close the lid.Grandma Ruth struck her cane against the floor."Why are you stopping?"If someone doesn't want to listen, that person can leave. The rest of us shouldn't have to suffer."Nathan lowered his voice."Elise, Grandma's old. Give her this one thing."I looked at Mom's bent shoulders.Suddenly, I did not want to argue anymore.For years, I believed that if I explained clearly enough, Nathan would take my side.No

Chapter 4

I stared at the message and did not respond.An hour later, Mom was still struggling to breathe.Her nebulizer was back at the house.I had no choice but to return for it.I entered the keypad code three times.Every time, the electronic lock sounded an alarm.I called Nathan."You changed the code?""Yes. I didn't want you coming back and moving the piano.""Open the door. I need Mom's nebulizer.""Get it tomorrow.""She needs it tonight.""Buy another one at a pharmacy."My fingers went numb around the phone."That machine was set up for her by her respiratory team. She can't just switch machines right now."I heard Camille in the background."Let her in. Don't fight because of me."Nathan was silent for a few seconds.Then the door unlocked remotely.Mom was already breathing hard as we entered.I went straight to the bedroom.Camille's clothes covered the bed.Her skin care products were arranged across my vanity.Even the framed wedding photo of Nathan and m

Chapter 5

Once Mom was transferred out of intensive care, I contacted an attorney and a moving company.The attorney listened to the entire situation.Then she asked one question."Whose names are on the deed?""Mine and Nathan's.""Where did the down payment come from?""I paid sixty percent. Mom paid for the renovation. Nathan handled the mortgage afterward."The attorney gave me a clear list."Keep the transfer records and renovation contracts."Make a complete inventory before anything is removed."And during the divorce, neither of you should be disposing of major property unilaterally."I ended the call just as Nathan entered the hospital room.He carried a new nebulizer.Two private caregivers followed him."I checked with her doctor. This model matches what she needs."The caregivers can rotate around the clock. Your mom won't be left alone again."I took the machine and handed it to the nurse for inspection."Send me the receipts. I'll reimburse you."Nathan's face sti

Chapter 6

Nathan spent the night in the hospital hallway.The next morning, the moment I opened the door, he stood."I brought breakfast. Everything is on your mom's approved diet."I took the thermal lunch container and handed it to the caregiver."Thank you. How much?""Can you stop talking to me like that?""Like what?""Like I'm someone you don't know."I glanced toward Mom's room."Mr. Caldwell, the divorce is the only thing left for us to discuss. We really aren't close anymore."His eyes were bloodshot."How can five years disappear overnight?""You drove three hours to return an old umbrella to Camille."When my mother was in a hospital bed waiting for you to acknowledge one alarm, you couldn't stay three minutes."My voice was quiet."That's how five years made us strangers."Nathan's fingers trembled.He reached toward me.The door opened.Dr. Owen Marlowe stepped out of Mom's room and happened to move between us."Ms. Fairchild, your mother's follow-up results are

Chapter 7

Nathan arrived ten minutes late to divorce mediation.His right hand was bandaged.He looked exhausted.The mediator reviewed our positions."Ms. Fairchild still wishes to proceed with the divorce. Mr. Caldwell?""I don't agree."Nathan looked at me."Our marriage isn't beyond repair."I slid the hospital records, financial documents, and proof of separation across the table."Is this enough?"He did not look at them."Elise, I'm done with Camille."I deleted her number."I won't store anything for her again.""That's your choice."It has nothing to do with whether I divorce you.""How can it have nothing to do with it?"His voice tightened."The person you were worried about is gone."I looked at him."You're the one I have a problem with."The room went quiet.Nathan's lips moved, but nothing came out.The mediator cleared her throat."If Mr. Caldwell won't consent to a negotiated filing, Ms. Fairchild may continue through litigation."Do you have disputes ov

Chapter 8

"Fiancé?"Nathan did not take Dominic's hand.Dominic lowered it, surprised."We've been engaged for six months. Camille didn't tell you?"Camille rushed to explain."Nathan, it's not what you think. I wanted to wait until everything was certain.""The wedding is scheduled. How much more certain does it get?"Nathan stared at her."You told me to give you back five years."You said once I'd made up for everything I owed you, you'd consider us again."You kept me waiting while you got engaged to someone else?"Camille bit her lip."Our families arranged it."Dominic's expression cooled."You told me Mr. Caldwell was just an ex you were still on good terms with."You said he was the one who kept hanging on to your old things and refusing to give them back."Camille said nothing.Nathan laughed once."So every time I showed up, that's what you told him?""Nathan, I didn't lie to you.""What about the glasses?"He stepped closer."You already had a pair you could use.

Chapter 9

After Dominic canceled the wedding, Camille left the city overnight.She abandoned the rest of her belongings to the movers.Nathan did not keep them this time.He paid to send the piano back into storage.Then he signed his consent to proceed with the divorce.The day before the final court hearing, he came to see Mom.She could now spend short periods without supplemental oxygen.When she saw Nathan, she did not tell him to leave.She only asked the caregiver to help her sit up."Mom, I'm sorry."Nathan lowered his head."Don't call me Mom."Her voice was quiet, but there was no hesitation in it."You and Elise are getting divorced."Nathan's eyes reddened."I know I was wrong.""Elise used to say that all the time after she married you."Mom looked at him."When you didn't come home, she thought dinner wasn't good enough."When you forgot an anniversary, she thought she was too demanding."When you went running after Camille, Elise hid somewhere to cry."Then sh

Chapter 10

After Mom was discharged, we moved into a small apartment with good sunlight.She used her nebulizer on schedule.Slowly, her health stabilized.Dr. Owen Marlowe occasionally stopped by after work to check on her.He always brought a small bag of fruit chosen to suit her diet.Mom liked him."Dr. Marlowe's so easygoing. And thoughtful, too."I cut an apple into small pieces."He's just responsible.""He doesn't have to deliver fruit to your house to be responsible."Mom smiled.She did not push the subject.Neither did I.I was not in a hurry to start another relationship.For five years, my life revolved around Nathan.Now I was relearning simple things.What did I want for dinner?Where did I want to go on the weekend?I could answer without checking another person's schedule first.Nathan stopped coming after me.Patricia called a few times.She told me he sold our old house and moved into the old apartment he and I had first rented together.He stopped attendi

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