Page 48 of A Prescription to My Heart

A pause. She must know. Working in Pediatrics, we’ve both heard and seen the horror stories of custody battles over children. Sick children. Neglected children. Children who deserve better.

Marigold may not be sick or neglected, but she deserves so much better than losing first her mother, and then her father. Surely, Talia understands that.

Then, quietly, I hear her say, “I do.”

We sit in silence, the weight of everything pressing down between us. I need her to say yes.

But I also know I can’t make her.

Finally, she exhales. “Let me think about it.” It’s not a yes. But it’s not a no, either.

For now, I’ll take it.

Chapter 11

Talia

Idon’texpecttoseehim today. I’ve already made peace with the awkward brush-ins, the stiff hellos, the unspoken tension that clings to the space between us like fog. But then there’s a knock at my door. Firm. Familiar.

I don’t move immediately. I stare at the wood, heart already pounding like it’s trying to claw its way up my throat.

Another knock. “Talia, it’s me.”

I exhale slowly, slide off the couch, and walk to the door. The rain outside has stopped, but the wind still carries a wet scent through the windows. I unlock the door, and there’s Soren. Dressed down in a dark t-shirt and jeans, no white coat in sight. But he still carries himself with the same seriousness, the same weight in his eyes.

“Yes?” I keep my hand on the doorknob.

“Can we talk?” His voice is tired. Not the kind that comes from lack of sleep, but from carrying too much for too long.

I step aside wordlessly and gesture for him to come in. He nods, brushing past me. I catch a trace of his cologne—familiar now in a way that makes my chest tighten.

Soren doesn’t sit. Just stands in the center of my small living room like he doesn’t know what to do with himself.

I fold my arms. “So. What is it this time?”

His eyes flick to mine. “I know you said no before.”

I sigh and sink into the couch, not bothering to pretend I don’t know what he’s talking about.

“But things have changed,” he adds.

“Things are always changing,” I murmur.

“Talia.” He runs a hand through his hair. “My in-laws are coming. They’re not just visiting. They’re poking around. Asking questions. Digging. I don’t think they believe me.”

“They never believed you,” I say flatly. “You lied to them.”

“I had to, and you agreed,” he says sharply. Then softens. “I… didn’t expect it to go this far.”

I glare at him. “Really? The great Dr. Soren Calloway—surprised.”

He doesn’t answer. Just stands there, staring at me like I’m supposed to offer him some kind of lifeline.

I rise from the couch, pacing slowly. The wooden floor creaks under my feet. “You want me to move in. Pretend we’re happily married. Play house.””

“It’s not a game.” His voice is suddenly low. Almost defensive.

“Oh, now it matters?”

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