MARRIED TO MR POPULAR
He didn’t flinch away from her touch.
You will need stitches, the doctor said quietly.
Xavier exhaled. Do it here.
The doctor hesitated. Xavier, stitches should really—
Do it here, Xavier repeated, a shade more firmly.
Cynthia swallowed hard, watching the doctor prepare the tools. Her heart tightened at the thought of him being in pain again. She caught Xavier’s good hand with hers, squeezing softly. His eyes found hers instantly, and some of the tension in his expression eased.
The stitching was slow, meticulous. Xavier didn’t complain once, though his muscles tensed with each pull of the needle. Cynthia kept her gaze fixed on him, offering silent reassurance, the weight of the night still