Page 122 of Wine & Whiskey
“Evan?”
He blinks a few times before opening his eyes completely, but doesn’t turn his head. “What are you doing here?”
The throbbing in her chest grows stronger at his muffled voice, speaking through clenched teeth with his jaw wired shut.
“I wanted to check on you. How are you feeling?”
“Wonderful. Now get out.”
Not before she completes her mission to free Nick and Max. She forces herself to keep going, to convince him to listen to her. “Please, Evan. Give me just a few minutes. I want you to know how sorry I am.”
“You should be.”
“Not just for what Nick did, but for me too. I was wrong to consider your proposal. I should have told you right away. It was unfair for me to act like I might marry you, when deep down I knew I would never be able to go through with it.”
“Because you love him.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t love me.”
Although she doesn’t any longer, she refuses to be cruel. Not after he risked a broken heart to help her. “I care about what happens to you. You deserve to have someone who loves you as much as you love them. Don’t settle for a one-sided relationship.”
“If your mom…” He struggles under the awkwardness of his restrained mouth. “We’d still be together.”
“Maybe, maybe not. You wanted a stay-at-home wife and mother while I was still launching my career. We might have drifted apart because we both wanted different things.” The truth she never realized is so apparent now. She nods her head, confirming to both of them what she knows. “As much as it hurts to admit it, we weren’t meant for each other.”
“Yes, we are.”
They’re quiet for a few moments, the chirping of her phone breaking the silence. His eyes close again, yet his restlessness conveys his agitation.
“Dr. Patterson called. My test results are good.”
“Real nice, Shae.” His eyes fly open, and he tilts his head toward her before flinching. “What kind of role model are you now? You’re throwing away any chance you have of a normal life for a thug who doesn’t even want you.”
Three insults all at one time. The danger of him knowing her so well he understands exactly how to inflict the most pain. Failing to sway him with reason, she takes a deep breath and thrusts herself into the fire with a different approach. “Will you please drop the charges against Nick and Max? They don’t deserve to be punished for what I’ve done to you.”
“My jaw says otherwise. Nick needs to pay for what he did.”
“What about what you did to me?”
His eyes widen, and he gingerly grasps his cheek before turning his head. “What are you talking about?”
She lifts up her sleeve with a shaky hand. “You bruised me when you grabbed my arm.” Hopeful the crux of her threat will be his breaking point, she issues her ultimatum. “If you don’t drop the charges, I’ll have you arrested for assault.”
“You wouldn’t do that.”
“I don’t want to, but if I have to, I will.”
“Go ahead. I don’t care.”
“I think the parents of your patients will care. What kind of pediatrician assaults a pregnant woman?”
His head rolls back to face the ceiling as his body shakes with anger. “God! I can’t believe you would come in here and do this. You’re just like him.”
Intended as an insult, she basks in his words as a compliment. Nick would hate the comparison, but she’s proud he’s given her the confidence to stand up for herself when she never could before. “I love my mother more than anything in the world, but I realize she was controlling me and so were you. All that’s behind me. Even if I’m not with Nick, I can take care of myself now.”
“You’re serious?”
