Rhys nods his head. “I did everything in my power to save you… just like I did for Jorgie andherbaby.”
His words slam into me harder than his back hit the wall during our last exchange. When he told me he’d done everything in his power to save Jorgie and her baby, but he’d exhausted all avenues and had to let her go, I lost all rational thought. Even though Jorgie’s death was over five years ago, I’m stillgrieving.
The smirk on Rhys’ face fades as his eyes bounce between mine. “You have the same look on your face Ava did when she collected your death certificate twoyearsago.”
My heart freezes at the mention of Ava’s name, but fortunately, my outward appearance doesn’t give any indication to the treason of my heart. I'm also flabbergasted by Rhys’ admission. Normally, when a person disappears, they have to be missing for seven years before they will be declared dead in absentia. I’ve only been missing for five years. So why did Ava collect my deathcertificate?
My head shifts to the side when Raquel enters the room. “Next time you decide on a three AM shower, can you atleast--”
Her words stop when she detects an additional presence in the room. A vibrant grin stretches across her face when her eyes lift from the drenched hospital gown in her hands to Rhys. Although Rhys is discreet, I don’t miss his eyes running overRaquel’sbody.
“Hi, Dr. Tagget,” Raquel greets, her tone higher thannormal.
Rhys nods his head in greeting at Raquel before shifting his eyes back to me. “My employment contract clearly stipulates the utmost diligence is to be given to any patients I serve in this hospital, giving me a clear conscience to pretend I’ve neverseenyou.”
Raquel’s brows scrunch as her eyes shift between Rhys and me. The tension in the air is so thick, it is palpable. After dipping his chin farewell to Raquel, Rhys spins on his heels and ambles to the door. Just before he exits, he cranks his head back to lookatme.
“My conscience is clear; is yours?” hequeries.
Not giving me the chance to reply, he walks out of the door and closes itbehindhim.
Chapter Four
Ava
“Thank you,”I say through gritted teeth, sliding in the backseat ofataxi.
The coolness of the leather as I slide across the bench seat does nothing to simmer the fiery rage burning out of control inside of me. Keeping my gaze planted on the flow of dense traffic, I secure the seatbelt buckle and attempt to latch it into place. A silent squeal bubbles up my chest when my rough yanks on the seatbelt latch cause the safety mechanism to lock in, meaning I can’t move it an inch from my shoulder. I stiffen when Marvin leans over my shoulder, gently pulls on the seatbelt strap and clicks it intoplace.
“Thank you,” I say again, this time with less smear inmytone.
“157 McAllister Street,” Marvin instructs the taxi driver. His flat tone doesn’t have a chance in hell of hiding hisanger.
The driver nods his head before cranking his neck to the side, seeking an opening in the thick flow of traffic. We’ve only merged mere inches from the curb before I lose the ability to rein in the aggravation scorching my veins withfeverishheat.
“Why did you do that, Marvin?” I ask, shifting my eyes from the back passenger window of the cab to him. “You bombarded me in there, leaving me with no other option than tosayyes.”
I thought having my impurity announced to a room full of spectators would remain my number one most embarrassing moment, but Marvin’s unexpected proposal is cutting it a close second. Not only was the room full of Marvin’s family and friends, it was packed with our work colleagues and important associates. People who can aid or destroy any dental career of their choice. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner alone are allies I can’t risk as I continue to strive for a prominent place in the notable dental conglomerate ofRochdale.
I dig my nails into my palms, fighting to bottle up my anger, storing it to be used at a moreappropriatetime.
“We are not ready for that.” I keep my voice low, ensuring the taxi driver isn’t subjected to the awkwardness of our argument. “I’m not ready for that.” The last part of my sentence comes out with a quiver when Marvin swings his furious gazetome.
“It’s been five goddamn years, Ava!” he roars, the veins in his neckbulging.
Four years, nine months and three days,I gabble tomyself.
“For fuck’s sake, how much more time do you need?” Marvin yanks on the bowtie around his neck, unknotting it until it dangles around his heaving shoulders. “He isnevercoming back. He left you high and dry. Or did you forget that? He’sdeadand you still can’t lethimgo.”
My heart painfully squeezes in my chest, but I’m not surprised by Marvin’s outburst. He uses the same cruel words during every argument we have, not the slightest bit concerned about how the harshness of his words affects me. When my tearful eyes shift to the rearview mirror, my breath catches. The taxi driver’s dark eyes are staring right at me. His gaze is full of worry and empathy. I return the cabbie’s compassionate gaze as Marvin continues to unleash a torrent of viciouswords.
“Without me, you would have ended up homeless, without a career, without a fucking thing. I fed you, clothed you, have taken care of you for years, but all you care about is a guy who left you. Heleftyou,Ava.”
The impact of his words is like a knife being stabbed into my chest. But, unfortunately, everything Marvin is saying is true. Hugo did leave me. He choose to go. Marvindidn’t.
Inhaling a deep breath to clear my body of nerves, I tilt my torso to face Marvin. “I know that, Marvin, and I appreciate everything you have done for me, what you still do for me,” I recount, saying anything to lessen his rambling tirade that always erupts when he drinks or Hugo’s name is mentioned. “I’m thankful for everything you have done, but you know as well as I do, marriage isn’t the solution for us. Neither of us are ready for that. I’m not ready, and neitherareyou.”
He stares at me, his chest rising and falling with every breath he takes. It feels like hours pass, but it is mere seconds. Marvin’s gaze is vehement and has my pulse quickening. When he braces his hands on his knees and drifts his eyes back to the heavy flow of traffic, I know it is the end of ourdiscussion.
