Page 57 of Chasing Liberty

“But this isn’t a time to be arrogant,” Doc sniffed. “Anyway, how does she seem to be doing?”

“Strong. Held together.” Wyler stared at the closed door.

“Get some rest. I’ll be in my office.” Doc patted his shoulder as he passed.

Wyler continued to stand there, staring. A mix of emotions were at war inside him.

The door to the exam room opened, and Sam, a bit less overbearing then, came out. He had his hat held against his chest. His age was showing in his slumped shoulders and worried gaze. He stopped and planted his large hand on Wyler’s shoulder. “Son, I’m sorry. She’d like to see you.”

He hesitated at the open door to the room. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, her head bent. He stepped inside and she didn’t even acknowledge him.

“Daddy said I should come back with him to Sagebrush Rose.” Her voice was so weak he had to strain to hear it.

“What did you say to him?” Wyler shoved his hands into his pockets. Her expression already conveyed to him all he needed to understand.

“It's the right thing to do.” She eventually faced him.Were there tears in her eyes?“Dolly is there, and she can help look after me.”

“I can look after you as well.”

“It’s not about that, Wyler.” She got off the bed and winced as the IV line tugged. “I need a little time.” She looked around the room for something.

“Your clothes are over there.” He referred to the plastic bag next to the chair. “Did you think you should have spoken with me first? We could have discussed it. I am your husband.”

“About that.” She didn’t even look at him as she dug inside the bag.

“Yeah, about that.” He didn’t even worry about monitoring his tone because he was hurting too.

She laid out the shirt and sweatpants she’d worn to the clinic. “I’m doing you a favor, Wyler.”

“A favor?” He chuckled, but it sounded more like a snort. “By letting me off the hook?”

She looked at him sadly. "The pregnancy was holding us together, but it's gone now."

He sighed deeply. "There's more to our relationship."

"The situation is different," she said, clutching her shirt and facing him.

"Just like that, then?"

"It's all difficult," she replied.

“You’re certainly making it seem easy.”

"You must recognize the reality of the situation. I—I…," her voice faded into a heavy quiet.

"What is it, Liberty?" He approached but maintained his distance. "Do you not love me? Do you not want this marriage? Or have you found an exit to finally end us?"

“Wyler…please…”

"Please what? Should I not hold you accountable for your choice? Not let you dismiss me like all the other men in your life. If you believe our connection was solely about the baby," he said with words that hurt to speak, "then it seems we've both viewed this relationship very differently."

She let out a deep, encompassing sigh. "Our marriage wasn’t genuine. Our union was shaped by specific conditions, but now we have to face reality."

"Clarify this reality for me?"

"Let's not have this discussion, Wyler."

"Not even to ensure we’re on the same page?"

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