09:54
Chapter 11
The plane took off, lifting Julia away from everything she’d ever known. Through the window, the city lights of The Capital faded into a glowing dot, swallowed by the clouds.
She pressed her forehead to the glass and let out a shaky breath. “Dad, I’m really leaving now. I’ll do my best to live well–for you and Mom, too,”
Her eyes burned with unshed tears, and her smile wobbled at the corners, more painful than hopeful.
Nathan was in her past now. All of it–every memory, every heartache–was staying behind. She was ready to start over.
Back at the hospital, Nathan found himself staring out at the sky, feeling emptier than he’d ever felt. The world outside seemed impossibly far away, and so did she.
He clutched Julia’s old sweater, holding it so tightly his knuckles went white. The faint scent of her perfume lingered in the fabric, wrapping around him and, for a second, letting him breathe a little easier.
Sarah bustled in with a bowl of soup, blowing on it before holding the spoon up to his lips.
“Nathan, come on, just take a bite–for me?” she coaxed, her voice soft and sweet.“]
He frowned and leaned away, refusing the spoon. “I can feed myself. You don’t have to do this.“”
His tone was cold, final. He took the bowl from her, finishing the soup in a few quick gulps.
His
Sarah’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, jutting out her lower lip in a practiced pout. “You saved my life, Nathan. The least I can do is take care of you. Julia doesn’t even want to see you–why do you still want her so badly?“}]
Nathan’s frown deepened, his patience slipping.
“What are you getting at? Julia is my wife. Of course I want her with me. I helped you because you once saved me, that’s it.“”
“I’ve done enough for you, Sarah. I’ve repaid your kindness more than once. That should be enough.”
“From now on, don’t call me unless it’s absolutely necessary. Actually, don’t call at all. I just want to spend time with Julia.“}
Sarah’s face went pale, then twisted with frustration. She bit her lip, her voice trembling with anger. “So what if you saved me once? That doesn’t make us even! I have scars that’ll never heal–do you really think you’ve paid that back?”
“I don’t care what you say. You owe me, and you’re going to treat me right for the rest of my life! If you stop caring about me, I might as well disappear!”
“That’s enough.” Nathan’s voice was tight, almost breaking. The anger was there, but he forced it down.
He’d let her hold that act of heroism over him for years, and he was tired. But he couldn’t quite break free.
He took a deep breath, then said, “Sarah, I’ll put up with this a little longer. But once I’ve repaid what I owe, I won’t let you act like this anymore.”)
Sarah’s mood flipped in an instant. She wrapped her arms around his and gave him a sweet, playful smile. “Okay! I promise, I won’t make a fuss anymore–just be nice to me for a little while, okay?“M
She knew all too well that once “a little while” passed, all she had to do was look hurt and needy, and Nathan would give in again. He always did.
So she stayed glued to his side, soaking up every second she could.
Nathan spent three days in the hospital, restlessly checking his phone and the door. Not a single message from Julia. She never showed up.#
The uneasiness in his chest only grew, twisting tighter and tighter.
It felt like something big was happening–something he couldn’t stop.
No, he told himself, Julia loves me. She’s just still sick, that’s all.
He repeated it over and over, but the words started to feel hollow.
Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore.&–
He checked out of the hospital early and went home.
