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"Too bad. It’s either that or a home."
Her eyes flashed. "You’d do that to me?"
"You have a choice, Hilda. Pick one." He couldn’t bring himself to call her aunt, even though he knew she wanted him to.
"I don't want you spending your money on me."
"I’m already doing that. I bought the house you’re living in, remember?" He growled.
"You insisted on it." She snapped back.
"You were living in a lousy apartment and, trust me; I know what's that's like."
"Well, I don't want to put you out." She mumbled.
"You’re not." He huffed out a breath. "Look, it’d make it easier on my peace of mind, if you have someone with you." His phone was ringing, but he ignored it.
"Okay, fine. They said they’ll be running some more tests and I should be out of here in a couple of days. I hate hospitals." She looked around the pale-yellow room and grudgingly realized that it was due to him that she was in a private room. "I spent years coming and going."
"You stuck around and allowed yourself to be a punching bag. Go figure."
She stared at him, at the strong and leashed power of his body, and the hard and handsome face. She’d been denied having children by a man who’d treated her with terribly
"You wouldn't understand."
"You’re right. If someone is treating you like shit, you should do the sensible thing and hightail it. Yet you stayed. Why exactly?"
She plucked at her gown and avoided his eyes. "I loved him."
His laughter was harsh. "Okay."
She bristled at that. "I thought we could make it work and by the time I realized he wasn’t going to change, fear had crippled me. The last time, he broke my arm and nose and I realized that I had to run before he killed me. I couldn’t come back to town until I heard he’d died."
"He was an asshole who thought he was a man because he beats up on women. I."
"I’ve lived the humiliation for a long time. Miriam and I lost out because of what happened. It wasn’t only the fact she was with someone like Eddie, but my own husband had managed to separate us, and that is something I can’t forgive myself for."
"It's too late now." He said with a shrug. "It doesn’t make any sense going down memory lane." Pushing back, he rose and pulled out his phone. "Shit." He said, angrily. "I have to return some calls. I’ll be back shortly."
She watched him leave the room, a tall and impressive looking man, a handsome one who’d taken his coloring from her and her sister. He’d done so well for himself, she thought wistfully, feeling the tears burning the back of her eyes. She’d read about how he’d made something of himself and was now such a big deal.
She’d scoured every article written about him, the rise from poverty to him becoming a multi-billionaire. She’d seen the way the doctors perked up when they realized who she was or who she was related to.
He was her nephew and, even though he didn’t call her aunt, something that hurt, the fact remained that he was her family.
She was careful not to ask him for anything and when he’d offered, she’d wanted to refuse, but running for her life had depleted the little money she’d saved. He was providing for her. She’d insisted on staying in the background and he hadn’t disagreed.
He called every now and again to check on her and the house he’d bought for her was very nice, nicer than anything she’d ever lived in.
She pottered around in her garden and attended her local church. If she had to have someone with her, she was going to suggest someone from the congregation. It was a three-bedroom house with lots of yard space. She’d suggest one of the women at the Baptist church she attended.
She was now in a better place and the Lord was giving her some peace, finally.
She looked up when he came back into the room and noticed the frown on his face.
"Problems?"
"Nothing I can’t handle. I have a few more minutes to kill."
