Page 14 of Elusive Embrace

“Oh. Okay. Hurting her how? Physically?” His voice is cautious like he’s trying to tread carefully.

“I think so, yeah. She had two bruises on her neck that look like someone grabbed her hard, like fingerprints when someone squeezes you.”

“When did you—”

“I was at Greenview Manor. She and her colleague found an injured fawn and I noticed the bruises when she was talking to me.” I try to sound calm but inside I’m a mess; panic and helplessness swirling around in my gut.

“Did you ask her?”

“Yeah. She said they were hickeys.”

“Maybe they wer—”

“No. No fucking way. They looked nothing like hickeys!” I snap, frustration boiling over.

“What are you going to do?” Ryan asks, his voice quieter now.

“That’s the thing. I spent all afternoon googling what to do if you think someone’s in an abusive relationship. I even called the national helpline. They told me to just be there for her, to let her know I’m around without judgment, and to encourage her to get help. But apparently I shouldn’t confront him or call the police unless she’s in immediate danger.”

“Are you serious?” Ryan says, his tone incredulous. It’s exactly how I felt when I heard it.

“Yeah. It’s bullshit. What if he hurts her worse?” My voice trembles. All I want is to keep her safe and make sure she’s okay but not being able to do anything makes me feel completely powerless.

“Have you let her know she can come to you for help?”

“Yeah, yesterday, before I even knew that’s all I could do. She didn’t want to talk about it so I just gave her my number and address and told her to call me if she ever needed anything.”

“Well it seems like you’ve done what you can do,” Ryan says, draining the last of his water.

Then why does it feel like I’ve done fuck all?

It’s been a whole week since I confronted Nat about her bruises and I haven’t heard a peep from her since. I even went back to Greenview Manor, pretending I was there to give them an update on the fawn, but she wasn’t around. I was told she’d gone out to pick up supplies.

I limp into the waiting room of my clinic and call out, “Next!” Jane waves at me as she and Ryan get up from their chairs, Rossi nestled in a carrier. I’ve got his lab results back and Jane’s not going to be thrilled with what I have to say.

“Why are you limping?” Ryan asks, a hint of concern in his voice.

“Shin splints,” I groan, feeling a bit sorry for myself. It’s my own fault really. I’ve been pushing myself with running and cycling, trying to keep my mind off Nat.

“Forgotten you’re not twenty anymore?” Ryan teases, making Jane giggle.

“Hilarious. No, I’ll always remember that I’m younger than you,” I grin back. “Anyway, about Rossi.”

Jane gently lifts him from the carrier. “It’s worms, isn’t it?” she asks, her eyes wide with worry.

“Ahem, no,” I reply. Ryan gives me a knowing side-eye; he’s well aware of what’s coming next.

“So what is it then?” Jane asks impatiently.

“You need to feed him separately from Buttercup,” I say. I’d texted Ryan the results yesterday and he practically begged me to break the news to Jane myself. He even promised me a free tattoo if I did. What a softie.

“But we do feed them separately. They each get their own bowl,” Jane says, looking puzzled.

“You need to feed them in different rooms,” I clarify.

“Why?” she narrows her eyes.

“Because I think Rossi’s been sneaking Buttercups’ food. That’s why she’s so tiny and he’s, well… not so tiny.”

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