AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh.” That’s a different story, I think numbly. That numbness chills my face, then slides down my arms and over my chest. I can’t feel a fucking thing from the neck down.
Her bottom lip quivers, but her voice is steady. “Go home. It was only ever a fantasy, anyway.”
She stands to leave and I push myself to my feet unsteadily. My voice is reedy but I try one last time. “Viv.”
“Goodbye, Nate.” She pauses at the door briefly before she walks out of it. And out of my life.
I have my suspicions it’s for good this time.
Vivian
I dash outside, aware of my surroundings as I run for the parking lot lights shining outside the hospital entrance. I sneak a look over my shoulder to see if Nate followed. He didn’t, and my heart suffers a fissure down the center. I know what’s best for him but a deep, dark, hopeful part of me wanted him to come for me.
Apparently I’m an addict too.
I thought I was so independent and so strong, pushing him away in the beginning. But the real strength comes by pushing him away when I want nothing more than to hide inside him. To be taken care of. To let him chase away the monsters…
Outside the hospital entrance, air burning my lungs, heart slamming into my ribcage, I bend in half. Grief eats my insides like acid. Hand over my mouth, I attempt to stifle a sob, but it escapes anyway, and brings with it another. My cries shake my shoulders and weaken my legs. Tears pour from my eyes in steady streams.
I blink as a cigarette butt hits the ground at my feet. Strong hands wrap around my shoulders. It’s Walt, gaunt and tired. My only refuge.
He’s asking what happened, but I can’t speak yet. So he holds me close while I cry instead. Here for me, like I’m here for him.
I automatically check the parking lot floodlights for signs of Nate. But there is no tall, broad figure coming our way. No knightly billionaire swooping in to save me.
He left. He actually left.
I hope, for his sake, he chooses to save himself this time.
