Page 53 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

A sharp bark from the dog snaps me out of my thoughts. I look up to see Ethan and his friends coming back from their walk. Ethan’s face is bright and happy, a stark contrast to my own mood.

“Aunt Emma, are you okay?” he asks, his eyes full of concern.

I force a smile and nod. “I’m fine, Ethan. Just a little tired.”

He gives me a dubious look but doesn’t push it. I watch as he and his friends run off to play again, feeling a pang of guilt for letting my worries affect my mood around him.

Suddenly, I hear a car pulling up. I turn to see June arriving with Rio and Ryan’s mom. Everything passes in a blur as I accept the gratitude of the kids' mom, her words barely registering. They take the dog and drive away, leaving me standing there, feeling more alone than ever.

June grabs Ethan’s arm gently and calls out to me, “Emma, come inside.”

I nod, feeling numb, and follow her into the house. Inside, June gives me a concerned look.

“Emma, what’s going on? You’ve been out of it all day.”

I sink into a chair at the kitchen table, feeling the weight of the past few days pressing down on me. ‘I’m okay.”

“Nonsense.” June's hand lands gently on my shoulder, startling me out of my reverie. She stares at me for a moment, her brow furrowed in concern. “What's wrong, honey?” she asks softly. “You look like you could use a hug and a glass of wine.”

I force a smile, the effort making my cheeks ache. “Just a long week, that's all. Planning a wedding can be surprisingly stressful.”

She lets out a chuckle, a warm, familiar sound that eases the tension in my shoulders. “Well, how about you take things easy for a bit? I was thinking of making a new dish. Wanna help out?”

I know she means that to lift my spirits. She’s always had a knack for making a way to ease my mind, even when I don’t tell her what’s bothering me. The thought of escaping into the familiar rhythm of cooking with June is strangely appealing.

“Sure,” I agree, pushing myself out of the chair. “Just let me wash my hands.”

Moments later, I’m chopping vegetables while she stirs tomato paste in the pot over the stove. She regales me with stories about people in town and their reactions to her upcoming wedding.

“You wouldn't believe it,” June chirps, dropping the spoon to spread her arms as she shakes her head with dramatic flair. “Mrs. Hathaway actually asked if I was going to have the ceremony in a barn because, according to her, 'that's the only way to keep it authentic.’ It’s the town’s way, and it’s how my mom married my dad, apparently”

I laugh, genuinely amused by the thought. “A barn? Really? Did you tell her you're not interested in a rustic farm theme?”

“Of course! But then she offered to lend me her prized rooster for the occasion. You know, for authenticity.”

We both burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the cozy kitchen. For a moment, the weight on my chest lightens, and I’m just Emma, laughing with my sister.

June glances at me, her eyes twinkling. “You’ve been pretty quiet about Liam lately. Everything okay?”

I stiffen, forcing a smile. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Just busy, I guess.”

She doesn’t push further, probably sensing my reluctance. Instead, she shifts the conversation to the new venues I’ve been scouting for the wedding.

“I found a couple of places that might be perfect,” I mumble, hoping to keep the focus off my personal life. “One is this beautiful garden with an old stone fountain in the center. The other is a little chapel by the lake. Both are stunning.”

June nods, her excitement palpable. “They sound amazing. I can’t wait to see them.”

Damon comes home as we’re setting the table, his presence filling the room with an easygoing warmth. “Something smells good,” he singsongs, doing a little dance before kissing June on the cheek and ruffling Ethan’s hair as he passes by.

We all sit down to eat, the table brimming with food and laughter. Damon jokingly asks about Liam, his tone light. “Haven’t seen Liam around much lately. He must be busy at the hospital, huh?”

Something snaps inside me, and before I can stop myself, I respond sharply, “You’re his friend, Damon. Maybe you should ask him yourself.”

An uncomfortable silence falls over the table. Damon’s eyes widen in surprise, and June looks at me with concern. I feel a rush of regret for my outburst.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble, pushing my chair back. “I’m just feeling a bit testy these days.”

I leave the table and retreat to my bedroom, my emotions churning. Once inside, I close the door and lean against it, fighting back tears. How did I let Liam get into my head this much? It’s infuriating.

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