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I extracted myself and glared at her. “Stop it, Josie. This is getting embarrassing. For you.”
I made a motion with my head for her to join me in the hallway. I quietly closed the door not to wake up Katie. The doctor said she would be released today. It couldn’t happen fast enough. I hated hospitals. The smells, the sounds, the sight of so many sick and dying people.
“You don’t need to be here. Go get some sleep.” I needed to get something to drink. My mouth felt like the desert.
“I’m glad I could be here for you, Kyle. And for Katie too. You guys need me,” she insisted.
Jesus, would her fantasies ever stop? I was well past having patience with her delusions.
“I need to figure out where Whitney is. Have you seen her?” I pushed past her and headed toward the waiting room. I vaguely remembered her not being able to come back with Katie and me and Josie being there instead, but I was honestly not in the headspace to think about it. My entire focus was on Katie. Whitney would understand that. It’s why I loved her.
The Emergency Room waiting room was already busy. I saw my parents in the corner and started to head toward them when Josie stopped me.
“Why does it matter if Whitney’s here? She’s not Katie’s mother,” she stated with a whiny note to her voice.
I stopped and turned to look at my ex. “No, she’s not. But she’s my wife, Josie. Do you get that? She’s my fucking wife and Katie’s stepmother. I want her here. I need her.” I shook off her hand and started toward my parents again.
“She took off sometime last night,” Josie said, causing me to stop in my tracks.
“What?” That didn’t sound right. I pulled out my phone to see if there were any messages from Whitney. I had two from Adam, one from Skylar and another from Lena and Jeremy, but nothing from my wife.
“She seemed upset. She knew how angry you were with her about what happened—”
“Angry? With Whitney? Why would I be angry with Whitney about the accident?” I rubbed my temples, the pounding in my head making me sick to my stomach.
Josie narrowed her eyes. “Because she caused the accident that hurt our baby, Web! Of course, you’re angry with her! You’re livid!”
What the fuck was she talking about?
“The accident was just that. An accident, Josie.” I was starting to get an idea of what went down while I was tending to Katie. And I wanted to wring Josie’s delusional neck.
“She ran a red light, Web! Our daughter was hurt!” Her voice rose to a screech, and I noticed we were gaining an audience. My dad had gotten to his feet, but my mother put a hand on him, stopping him from coming over.
“Yes, she did. And it devastates me to think what could have happened. But Whitney would never—and I mean never—put Katie in harm's way. I trust her implicitly. She loves my baby like she was her own.” I leaned in closer to Josie. “What did you say to Whitney? Did you tell her I blamed her for this?”
Josie crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m only looking out for you. It concerns me that someone so irresponsible is in your life. In our daughter’s life.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Says the woman who left her newborn without a word and hasn’t seen her since. Give me a fucking break, Josie. Whitney has been more of a mother to our daughter than you have ever been.” I leaned in even closer so that she had to look me right in the eyes. “I know why you’re here. You have this idea that you can force my hand because of my fear of losing Katie. That we’ll be a family. I will tell you for the last time … it’s not going to happen. I love Whitney. She’s my family. Not you. And you can fight me for Katie, but you’ll lose. I promise you that. I’ve loved and cared for that little girl all by myself, and I’m married to a woman now who would do anything in the world for her. Can you profess to have that kind of selflessness where Katie is concerned?” I curled my lip in disgust and shook my head.
“Because all I see is a sad woman who isn’t above using her own flesh and blood to get what she wants.” I took a step away from her, not wanting to waste another breath on her. “Get out of here. Unless you can be here only as Katie’s mother and leave these insane notions of us being together at the door.” Exhaustion gripped me, and I felt wobbly on my feet. “And if you’re going to be her mother, you have to put her first. Always.”
