Page 4 of Casper VanHorne

“As her husband, can I sign whatever is required for her to have the surgery?” I asked.

He hesitated, his gaze going to Carmella. “She’s expressed her desire to let the tumor run its course.”

“And if she were your wife?” I asked.

He smiled faintly. “Husband, but I get the point. And yes, I would sign the papers and have the operation done before he had a chance to say no. I’ll have a nurse bring the forms to you and I’ll have the OR prepped.”

“What can I expect on the backside of this?” I asked. “Personality changes? Will she lose motor function?”

“If we’re able to get all the mass, then she should heal in about four to eight weeks. Right now, the mass is causing her to lose feeling and function in the right side of her body. It’s not constant, which is unusual. I can’t say for certain how she’ll react to having the tumor out, but I believe it will be a favorable outcome.”

I nodded and turned back to Carmella. “Get me the papers.”

I held my wife’s hand and wished I could take back the last decade. I should have never stuffed her in that house and left her. She’d been vulnerable. A young, scared woman and I’d just abandoned her. What kind of monster did that make me? I might kill people for a living, but I’d always prided myself on protecting women and children. I’d failed my wife, and I refused to fail her again.

The nurse came in with the papers. I signed everything, then held Carmella’s hand until they came to take her to surgery. Bowen was in the waiting area and I sat next to him. Part of me was furious he hadn’t said something sooner, but at the same time, he’d remained loyal to Carmella. I couldn’t fault him for that.

“Surgery will take three to five hours, as long as everything goes according to plan,” I said.

He gave me a startled look. “She’s having the surgery?”

“Didn’t give her a choice. She was still passed out, so I signed the consent forms to have it done. I’m sure she’ll be pissed when she wakes up, but at least she’ll be alive.”

Bowen breathed out hard and I noticed the tension ease from his body. I still wasn’t convinced he didn’t think of Carmella as something more than a friend or younger sibling, but I couldn’t deny that he cared about her. Even if I didn’t like how close they’d become, I was also glad she’d had a shoulder to cry on when she’d needed one. It made my chest ache that I might have been the cause of those tears. Instead of giving her freedom, I’d made her a prisoner in her own home, made her feel unworthy of being loved. I really needed to kick my own ass when all this was over.

“Why didn’t you ever come back?” Bowen asked. “Or call and talk to her?”

“I was trying to give her space. I figured she’d find someone closer to her age who would interest her. It never crossed my mind she’d stay faithful, or actually want me around.”

Bowen snorted and didn’t say anything. Probably for the best. If he’d called me on being a dumbass, I might have been compelled to hurt him. I didn’t think Carmella would appreciate that very much. She was going to be mad enough I’d forced the surgery on her when she wasn’t able to say no.

The time passed slowly. When the doctor came to inform me that the surgery had been a success, the mass had been fully removed, and Carmella was in recovery, it felt like I could breathe easier. I hadn’t realized until that moment exactly how upset I was over the situation. Yeah, I’d been mad at myself for not being here and realizing things were bad, but the idea she wouldn’t make it through the surgery hadn’t really been front and center in my thoughts. Or I hadn’t thought it was.

Bowen left, leaving me alone. I hoped I’d have some time with Carmella. Although, I had to wonder if it was more because he knew she’d be pissed when she realized what I’d done. I decided to see about waiting with her in recovery, wanting to be there when she woke up. At first, the nurse refused to let me go back, but after a bit of cajoling she let me through. I pulled up a chair next to Carmella’s bed and reached for her hand. I didn’t know how long it would take for her to wake up, but I’d be here no matter if I had to sit in the hard-ass chair for hours.

When her eyes slowly fluttered open and she groaned, I gave her hand a slight squeeze. Her gaze flitted over to mine and her lips parted.

“Welcome back,” I said.

“Did I pass out again?” She frowned and tried to reach for her head, but I pulled her hand away from the bandages. “What happened?”

“Your doctor discussed your options with me. I signed off on the surgery. They removed the tumor.”

There was a flash of surprise in her eyes, quickly followed by anger, frustration, then curiosity. She glanced down at her hand in mine, but she didn’t pull away. There was a cautious hope when her gaze lifted to mine again.

“Why are you here?” she asked. “You wanted a divorce.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Carmella. You’ll need some help until you’re back on your feet. The doc said it could take four to eight weeks before you’re recovered.”

“Right.Thenyou’ll leave.” She looked away. “Just go now. If you want me to stay at the house, fine. Bowen and Mrs. Weathers can help me just like they have all this time. I don’t need you, Casper.”

I was good at reading people. Always had been. And right now, I could tell that my wife was lying through her damn teeth. She did need me, but she didn’twantto need me. Sure, Bowen and Mrs. Weathers had taken good care of her over the years, but right now she needed her husband.

“If I leave, you’re going with me,” I said.

She gave a slight gasp. “What?”

“Did you think that was the only house I own?” I asked, my eyebrow arched. “I bought a place not too far from my daughter. We can go there while you recuperate. The warmer southern climate might be better for you.”

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