Page 41 of Forbidden Love

No more misery.

No more heartache.

No more memories.

Chapter 16

Clark

It’s been two days since we laid Daisy to rest. I’ve been back to the gravesite to check it out. I’ve laid fresh flowers, told the little angel how much she’s missed and loved, and left with my heart in pieces. I can only imagine how Kally is feeling. She hasn’t been back outside since the burial. I can see her sinking further into herself more each day. She barely registers anything going on around her. Caleb has tried to reach her a few times. She talks to him, smiles when appropriate, but as soon as he leaves, she returns to that shell.

“Clark.”

I turn to my open office door and see Caleb standing there with his brother, Chris. I haven’t had much to do with Chris since the Shawlands arrived. He’s the quiet one.

“Sorry, I was a mile away. What do you have for me?”

Caleb shakes his head and walks farther into the room. “Nothing regarding the case. Everything is all quiet out there. However, I do have something to run by you.”

I take in a deep breath and sit down at my desk. I point to the seats across from me for Caleb and Chris to take.

“As long as it isn’t bad news, go for it.”

“I’m worried about Kally. I know you are too. The last forty-eight hours she’s hit a dark place.”

“I don’t know how to reach her. I always thought I’d be able to help her adjust, but I’m failing.”

“She’s been through a lot, Clark. But I have something for us to try. Chris here is a personal trainer. He hasn’t done any psychology training per se, but he was amazing with Clay’s woman when she returned from her warzone. He pushed her to her limits, helped her recover from her injuries, and slowly, we saw Shay come back to us. I think if Kally was getting some PT following her surgery, something to focus on, it might just break her out of her mind. It’s not guaranteed, but exercise is proven to be good for mental health.”

“I’m not sure, Caleb. If you were saying you could help her, I’d be all over that. She doesn’t really know Chris.”

“I can be with her until she gets used to him. Chris is a big teddy bear. Don’t let his height and build fool you.”

We all laugh, and even Chris sniggers at his brother.

“I’ve been working with veterans lately, and trust me, I’ve seen tantrums, breakdowns… you name it. I can start with some light exercises that will help her recover from her surgery.”

I know what Chris means. I constantly worry about how Kally is healing, physically and mentally. “Okay. It’s worth a try. What do we have to lose?”

“Shall we start now?”

I look down at my watch, and it’s just after ten a.m. I’m not even sure if Kally is awake yet, but I guess there’s no time like the present.

“Give me five minutes and I’ll talk to her. I’ll give you the nod when she’s ready. Please don’t take anything she says to heart. She isn’t in the right frame of mind right now.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ve seen and heard it all. Kally will be tame in comparison,” says Chris.

I nod. I stand up and leave the Shawland brothers sitting at my desk.

I know we need to try and help Kally somehow. I don’t want to think about losing her for good. I could kill my brother, my father, and Kally’s father for allowing this to happen. I doubt they even care, and that just makes me angrier.

I look over at my kitchen before heading to Kally’s room. I knock softly and get no answer. I walk into the room and it’s still in darkness. I tiptoe over to the window and open the drapes. Light fills the room. I turn around and jump out of my skin when Kally is sitting on the chair in the corner of her room. I’d had to walk past her to get where I am.

“Kally.” I walk over to her slowly because I don’t know if she’s fully awake or in a daze. “Kally.” I touch her cheek tenderly. Her cold skin prickles my palm.

I’ve no idea how long she’s been sitting like this. She was in bed when I looked in on her at midnight.

I get up, pull the blanket off the bottom of her bed, and wrap it around her shoulders. Caleb walks in as I kneel beside Kally again.

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