Page 25 of A Prescription to My Heart

“Obviously,” he says with a roll of his dark eyes.

I grin, nudging his arm with my elbow. “You could at least pretend to be a little disappointed.”

“Trust me, you’re not my type.”

“Wow,” I laugh with feigned offense.

That almost gets a smile out of him. Almost.

For a second, we just stand there, the coffee machine humming behind us, the distant sounds of the hospital filling the space between words.

Then, so quiet I almost miss it, he says, “I won’t lose her, Talia.”

I nod. “I know.”

I really do.

Chapter 6

Soren

Ihaven’tstoppedthinkingaboutit.

The moment Talia said the words—so casual, so offhand—it was like everything clicked into place. Like the solution had been sitting right in front of me all along, but I’d been too stubborn to see it.

A fake marriage.

It’s insane. It’s reckless. It’s something I’d never evenconsideredbefore.

But it makes sense.

Legally, it would strengthen my custody case against Lisa’s parents. Socially, it would silence them before they could do any real damage. And, most importantly, Marigold likes Talia. Trusts her in a way she doesn’t trust most people.

So, incredibly, I warm to the idea fast. Too fast.

Because the second I bring it up again, Talia shuts me down so hard it almost knocks me off balance.

“Absolutely not,” Talia snaps.

She doesn’t even hesitate. Doesn’t let me finish before she’s shaking her head, arms crossed tight over her chest. We’re in the supply closet—again—the only place in this hospital where I can get her alone.

I lean against the shelves, folding my own arms, leveling her with a look. “You suggested it.”

“Ijokedabout it,” she corrects, scowling at me. “Big difference.”

I arch a brow. “It’s a good idea.”

“It’s a terrible idea.”

“Talia.” My voice is calm, measured. “You and I both know my in-laws are coming for Marigold. They’re not going to stop.”

She presses her lips together, looking away. She knows I’m right. I see it in the way her shoulders tense, the way her fingers twitch at her sides like she’s resisting the urge to argue.

So I keep going.

“If I were married,” I say carefully, “it would prove stability. Prove that Marigold is in a loving, structured home.”

Talia scoffs. “Loving? Soren, you barely tolerate me.”

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