Page 63 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

"Do you have the medication?" Martin asked me.

His question gave me pause. "It was in my bag, but I don't know where my bag is. It might be on the yacht. I don't believe I had it with me when I went downstairs or into the water. It was probably at the table where I was sitting for lunch."

"We'll track it down," Martin said. "Hydrocodone can cause dizziness, nausea, and disorientation, especially for someone who doesn’t have a tolerance for it. If you mixed it with alcohol, that would amplify the effects."

"I did have some champagne," I admitted.

"Is there anything else you want to say?" Martin asked.

Having just been reminded of what was at stake for me and the company I worked for, I shook my head. "No. I want to rest and forget about what happened. Thank you for coming."

"If you change your mind or think of something else, please feel free to come to me. Mr. Carrington is very concerned about what happened to you, and I can assure you that anything you have to say will be welcomed and taken seriously."

"I appreciate that."

Martin nodded and left, closing the door behind him. Andrew turned back to me. "I'm sorry I gave you the medication, Lauren. That was a mistake. I could have lost you today. You could have died out there."

"Please don't remind me."

"I would have never been able to forgive myself, Lauren." He shook his head, regret in his serious and apologetic gaze. "It would have been my fault. I'm the one who's supposed to protect you. I'm your husband. I let you down. I wish I could go back in time and do it all over again."

His words were like a balm to my bruised spirit. He was looking at me with love and speaking with so much guilt that it was hard not to believe he was being honest, that he did love me. That he would never want anything to happen to me. That he wouldn't choose some ex-girlfriend over me. On the other hand, he had pushed me to take the medication. And he had asked me to keep quiet about my suspicions.

The turmoil of my thoughts made my head spin again.

"I need to rest," I told him. "I don't blame you. I just want to feel better. And then we can talk more, okay? I'm going to be here for two hours. Why don't you go back to the suite? Or better yet, go find my bag. My phone and wallet were inside. I'd like to get that back."

"Are you sure? I hate to leave you alone."

"I'm going to try to sleep. I'm very comfortable now. I'm feeling warm and tired, and I think a nap will do me good."

"Okay. I'll go find your bag and let everyone know you're doing better."

"I am doing better," I assured him, because I really wanted him to go so I could think without him trying to shape my thoughts. "I'll be fine."

Andrew gave me a tender kiss and then left. I blew out a breath of relief with his departure, knowing there was something wrong with feeling that way about him. But, at the moment, his presence was more disturbing than anything else.

I was about to close my eyes when a knock came at the door, followed by a familiar voice, which for some reason I found more comforting than the one belonging to my husband.

"Come in," I said.

Ethan Stark walked into the room, and the concern in his sharp green gaze made my gut clench, because his worry for me actually felt real, which was another disturbing thought.How could this man's emotions feel more honest than my husband's?

"I can't believe you ended up in the ocean," he said, moving closer to the bed. "You must have been terrified."

"I thought I was going to die. And I might have if it had taken them longer to find me." A lump grew in my throat, and moisture filled my eyes.

He put his hand over mine, the warmth of his touch steadying my emotions. "What can I do to help, Lauren?"

"There's nothing you can do."

"Isn't there?"

As his challenging gaze met mine, I knew that he was thinking the same thing I was thinking. "You don't believe it was an accident, do you?" I asked.

"Do you?"

I slowly shook my head. "No, but I'm not sure. I took some pain medication for my hip, and it made me confused and disoriented. I was stumbling around on the lower level of the yacht, and I ended up on the swim platform. It didn't seem like anyone was around, but I felt someone come up behind me, and I think they pushed me into the water."

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