“You know you can’t hide, right? They’re still going to find you.”
“I know...” I sighed. “But at least if Robert doesn’t see me, I reduce the chances of being handed more patients.” I glanced up at her, tossing my hands in the air. “Why is it always me? It’s like the moment he sees my face, he thinks,Hey, there’s Sloane. She looks like she has a spare minute—give her another patient!”
“That’s a compliment, you know. He trusts you.”
I leaned back against the wall, stretching my legs out in front of me. “Yeah, maybe. He’s a good boss, but he’s not exactly willing to take risks with the other doctors. So he keeps pushing me to the limit.” I exhaled, the weight of the day settling in my chest. “I’m exhausted.”
“Can I ask you something?” she said softly.
“What?” I replied, a bit suspicious.
“Where’s your wedding ring?”
My eyes dropped to my bare hand before meeting hers again. “You can guess, Lina,” I said quietly.
She let out a sharp gasp and fell silent for a moment before gently saying, “I noticed Cameron still wears his.”
I didn’t answer.
“I know sharing your feelings with me is like pulling teeth. Remember, I’ve known you since we were sixteen—”
“Fifteen,” I corrected.
“Okay, fifteen. But if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
“Okay. Thank you.” I nodded.
She gave me a knowing look and said, “But you won’t.”
“I will,” I said.
Lina shook her head slowly. “Sure you will.” She sighed. “And I’m the Queen of England.”
I gave Lina a grin and didn’t answer. I just took a bite of the chocolate-covered donut she had given me.
She sighed and turned toward the counter, knowing that the conversation was over. I leaned back, eyes closed, still chewing, lost in my thoughts.
Then I broke the silence. “Can I have the number of your divorce lawyer?”
Lina spun around so quickly that she almost made a swishing sound. The kiosk was so small that it was a miracle she didn’t bump into anything.
I watched her expectantly, and she looked back at me, eyes wide with a mix of shock and sadness.
“Since when has this been happening?” she asked.
“Quite some time now,” I said simply. “He moved out of our house a month ago.”
Lina sucked in a breath, her eyes starting to glisten.
“Is there any chance of reconciliation? Marriage counseling?”
I shook my head. “He already has someone else.”
“Oh, fuck...” she mumbled, shock deepening. “How did you find out?”
“He told me himself just last week.” I swallowed the bile rising in my throat, remembering that night. “I need some time to process it, but now I’m ready to see the lawyer.”
She studied me carefully before asking, “Are you alright, honey?”
