Page 185 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“I need to pray. I need to go pray.” I repeat my mantra over and over, as I clean Owen’s blood from my body. Part of me hesitates to remove it, as it’s another link to the man I love. The man I pushed away repeatedly. How many nights did I spend alone, instead of wrapped in his arms, because of my stupid rules?

Now, I can’t get that time back.

I’ll tell you one thing, once Owen is well, I’m never letting him out of my sight.

When I arrive at the chapel, I sink to the floor in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary. I don’t remember the last time I was in a church, or the last time I prayed. But I’m willing to give it everything I’ve got, if God grants Owen another chance.

“I know I haven’t been here in a long time, but I’m not asking for me,” I sob, my body heaving from the strength of my cries. “Owen is such a good man. He saves so many lives. He’s going to be a dad. He deserves to see that; he deserves to meet our son. To hold him and watch him grow. Please don’t take him away.”

“Come on, dear, that’s enough.” Strong arms lift me from the marble floor, and I collapse against the man’s chest as his hands stroke my hair. “Owen’s mother just arrived. She wants to see you. Let’s walk back to the waiting room.”

I pull my head from my rescuer’s chest and gaze into Mr. Auerback’s face, lined with concern. “What are you doing here? How did you know where I was?”

“Charlotte and I were here for the meeting this morning. As for locating you, I know where I went when my wife fell ill.” He regards the statue. “He hears you, even if you don’t sit through mass. I believe God judges our works, and if that’s the case, Owen Stevens is as good a man as they come.”

“I love him so much,” I bawl, wiping the ceaseless stream of tears from my face.

“He loves you. There’s no doubt about that, not after the way he defended you. I know it might not be the right time, but I want to apologize. You became a pawn in my daughter’s game, and I hate that you got hurt.”

Those issues, once insurmountable, now seem so minor. “I don’t care about the job or if I’ll only see him once a year. I just want Owen alive. I promised God that I would do anything to make him happy.”

“Then love him. Come on, let’s get you back.”

I lean against the billionaire as he leads me to the waiting room. My sobs start anew when I see Mrs. Stevens collapsed in a chair, Charlotte at her side. They both stand when I enter the room, and I run to them, gathering them in a hug.

There’s a lot of hurt in this room, but there’s also a lot of love. Maybe, just maybe, that love will be enough to get Owen through this obstacle.

I’m putting a ton of stock in faith because it’s all I have left to bargain.

Charlotte helps me to a chair, and I sit between the two women. Any other time, this would be laughable, wedged between Owen’s mother and his ex-fiancée. But now, it provides a measure of comfort, something in short supply these last hours.

Mr. Auerback hands me a steaming cup of tea. “Decaf, for the baby.”

I mumble my thanks, blowing on the liquid before managing a single sip down my throat. It’s as though I’ve lost every drop of water from my body, all of it cried out in the hopes that God might hear me.

I feel a squeeze, and I gaze down to find Charlotte’s hand wrapped around my fingers. Looking up, I force a smile, but only a cry emerges. “I know you love him, too. You loved him for a long time.”

“I never knew how to love him. But you do, you always have.” She blinks back tears, her gaze focused on the ceiling. “I thought I had dibs, you know? I knew him first. I loved him first. Who were you to come in and take what was mine? I was wrong. He was always yours.”

“He loved you, Charlotte, and part of him will always love you. I’m glad you’re here. We need all the positivity we can muster.”

The surgeon, Dr. Empeso, aka Dr. Sleaze, walks into the waiting area, his eyes scanning the room. When they lock on mine, I pull myself to a standing position, meeting him halfway across the floor. “Hey, Lu.” He nods at the rest of our sad group, before breaking into a smile. “He’s one lucky son-of-a-bitch. It missed his subclavian by half an inch.”

“He’s going to be okay?” The tears are back again as I clutch at Dr. Empreso’s forearms. “Please tell me he’s going to be okay.”

“He’s going to be fine, Lu. They’re moving him to recovery, and you can go in and see him soon.” He sends me a smirk, but this time, there’s only joy in his eyes. “I knew there was something between the two of you.”

I join in the laughter, pointing at my belly. “Little bit.”

He squeezes my hands, offering a chuckle. “Lucky bastard, all around.”

I’ll admit that before that moment, the idea of touching the surgeon repulsed me. But knowing that his technique and experience saved the love of my life, makes Dr. Empreso my new best friend. I throw my arms around him, pulling him into a fierce hug. “Thank you.”

“He’s one of us, Lu. We weren’t letting him get away. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be by later to check on him.”

The weight of the air in the room dissipates as the surgeon exits stage right, leaving our small band to hug and release the breaths we had been collectively holding.

“How long until we can see him?” Mrs. Stevens asks, clutching my hand.

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