Page 13 of Shattering

"Cadi, stop." Callum's voice was firm. "Don't do that to yourself. This isn't about your weight."

She gave a watery laugh, shaking her head. "I don't know what else it could be. I just—"

"Gray loves you," Callum interrupted. "And if he's being a complete idiot right now, it's not because of your weight. It's because he's a man, and men are thick sometimes."

That pulled another weak chuckle from her. Callum sighed, reaching across the island to nudge her hand. "Look, I know you, Cads. You don't let things slide. And you sure as hell don't run away. So you need to confront him. Find out what's actually going on instead of spiralling into worst-case scenarios."

Cadi exhaled shakily, staring into her tea. "What if I don't like the answer?"

"Then at least you'll know the truth." His voice softened. "And you'll know what to do next."

She blinked away fresh tears, nodding. "Okay."

At that moment, the kitchen door banged open, and Tomos ran in, flushed from playing outside. "Mum! Arya's dad just showed him this trick shot, and we—oh! Hi, Uncle Callum!"

Callum grinned. "Hey, champ. Heard you took a heroic dive in PE today."

Tomos puffed out his chest. "It was legendary. Mum, can I have some juice?"

Cadi wiped at her face quickly and nodded. "Go wash up first. Properly. And don't just splash water on your face."

Tomos groaned but ran upstairs, leaving them alone again. Callum watched her closely, his smile fading slightly. "Are you sure you'll be okay? I can stay."

Cadi shook her head. "No, I'll be fine. I just... needed to talk it out."

Callum hesitated, then pulled her into a firm, reassuring hug. "Alright. But if you need me, I'm just a call away."

Cadi clung to him for a second longer than she meant to before stepping back, nodding. "Thanks, Callum."

"Anytime, love." He squeezed her hand once before heading for the door.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Cadi sat back down, gripping her tea with both hands. Her mind drifted back to how she had met Callum.

It had been towards the end of her training. Gray had gone to Brisbane for a six-month shoulder surgery fellowship, and though she had encouraged him to take the opportunity, his absence had left her feeling adrift. That was when she met Callum—a psychiatry trainee who was part of the mental health team working closely with the rehab department on multidisciplinary cases. He had a sharp wit, a calming presence, and an uncanny ability to make her laugh even on the worst days.

They had spent long hours working together on MDT cases, helping patients who required both physical and mental rehabilitation. Over time, he had become not just a colleague, but a close friend. He had been a frequent visitor to their home, easily slipping into their lives, joking with Gray over dinner, playing with Tomos when he was little. He and Gray had been good friends, which made tonight's call feel heavier.

She sighed, rubbing at her temple. Things had felt so simple back then. Now, everything was unravelling, and she wasn't sure where she stood anymore.

The conversation she had been avoiding still loomed ahead, but at least, for now, she wasn't completely alone.

Chapter 11

Cadi sat at the kitchen table, her hands wrapped around a mug of tea that had long since gone cold. She had taken the day off—something she never did—but today, she needed to. She had already dropped Tomos off at school, ignoring the strange look he had given her when she told him she wasn't going to work. She had waited all morning, nerves making her stomach churn, listening for the familiar hum of Gray's Range Rover.

When she finally heard it pull into the driveway, her breath caught. She had parked her car in the street to keep the elementof surprise, and now, she felt the tension coil in her chest as the front door unlocked.

Gray stepped in, shutting the door behind him with a soft click. He leaned against it for a moment and let out a big breath, rubbing his face with his hands. He looked exhausted—his broad shoulders slightly hunched, the usual sharpness in his expression dulled. He looked... smaller, as if something were weighing him down.

Cadi stepped forward, and his head jerked up as he became aware of her presence. His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Thought you'd be at work," he muttered, pushing past her towards the fridge. He pulled out the carton of milk and reached for the cereal on the counter.

"Any coffee left?"

Cadi swallowed, her carefully rehearsed words shrivelling up in her throat. The confrontation she had planned, the accusations she had been stewing over, all of it faded under the sheer normalcy of the moment. She hesitated.

"I'll make some fresh," she said instead, already moving to switch the kettle on. "Do you want toast? Scrambled eggs?"

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