Page 94 of Estranged Heart
I type again.“The person who was kidnapped? Did she hurt them too?”Were they also taken from a significant other and their family? All her crimes are added to my conscience and I feel just as guilty. I didn’t question all the times she left the house enough. I thought she was having an affair. I didn’t picture there being a worse explanation than that. I didn’t know what she was doing, but maybe I could have paid more attention. Maybe I could have looked more into where she was going.
“Yes. He’s in the hospital for observation but he’s going to live. I . . .” He stops, as if changing his mind. “I’ll let you get some rest now. I’m sure we’ll be in touch.”
As soon as he exits the room, my body goes slack against the bed and I stare up at the ceiling as if somehow I’ll find solace there—a way to escape my horrible reality—and then I see Elijah’s face. Closing my eyes, I hold onto the image of him smiling for as long as I can because deep down, I’m sure I’ll never see it in person again.
Thirty-two
Elijah
My clothes are set at the end of the bed and the nurse turns off the beeping machine. Reaching for my hand, she presses a piece of gauze over the IV and pulls it free from my skin. A piece of tape holds the gauze in place and her gaze meets mine, lips shifting up into a gentile smile. “You’re almost ready to go. I’ll give you some privacy to change and be back with those discharge papers soon. Remember when you’re at home, to change those bandages when needed.”
“Will do. Thanks for everything.”
“No problem, hun.”
On her way out, she greets someone, and I don’t have to turn around to know who the other voice is.
“Look who’s finally getting to go home after four days of horrible hospital food and constantly having his sleep interrupted.”
“Look who’s actually on time,” I quip back, turning my head to see Jessa’s smile.
“They say there’s a first time for everything.” She chuckles, resting a hand on my shoulder. “How you doing, champ?”
“Good. Silas?”
Her lips press in a thin line and she pulls her hand back. “I did what you asked and contacted his mom. She said he’s doing better every day. She also said she was sorry about everything, and she really hopes you believe he had nothing to do with any of it.”
My chest tightens. “So he knows that his wife is . . .”
“Yeah. The detective went to his room yesterday morning. He’s taking the news hard as anyone would, and his mom said he won’t really talk to her about it.”
“I’m glad he’s okay and I don’t blame him. I know it was all her doing.” I stare off into the distance, bunching the sheets between my fingers.
“You should tell him that yourself. He’s still here, and will be for a few more days for observation,” she says, walking around the bed to meet my eyes again.
“I don’t know if I can right now.” But I want to. Damn, I want to. The need to see him has intensified the longer I’ve stayed here, knowing he was so close by.
“I can’t even imagine how hard it was finding all this out. You know I’m behind whatever you decide to do. None of this is easy.”
I huff out a laugh. “It involves Landon so of course not.”
Her brows lower and she gives me a half smile. “It is strange how he can manage to still keep you on your toes, even in death.”
“Yeah.” I laugh, tracing over the tan lines where my wedding band once was. “He was always good at that. One of the many things he and Silas have in common.”
“You think . . . your feelings for him were because of Landon?”
I swallow hard, tugging on my finger as if the ring is still there. “No. I mean, I did at first. But after a while I realized I fell for him because he’s what I needed at the time.”
“And now?” She lowers herself onto the bed next to me, placing her hand on mine.
“I don’t know. I think it grew into more than that over time. I liked who I was when he was around. I remembered how to live and smile. These last few days, I’ve felt like I was back where I was before I met him. Lost and unsure of everything.”
“You think it’s because of him, or everything else that’s happened?” Her expression turns more serious.
“I don’t know. I’m not even sure where this leaves us. Acquaintances? Friends? Back to strangers?”
“What were you before you knew the truth?”
