Chapter 44

Audrey's POV

I hesitated at Alexander’s question, then shook my head slowly. "Of course not. It’s not about abuse or anything so dramatic."

He leaned forward, his curiosity undeterred. "Then is it because you don't want to be a burden? Many patients with chronic conditions feel that way when their relationships are... complicated."

My breath caught, but I kept my expression neutral. "It’s simpler and yet more complex than that, Alexander. It’s just time for a change."

"Well," Alexander sighed, leaning back and watching the sunlight play across the sterile floor. "It’s hard to reconcile. You’re brilliant and composed. It makes me wonder what your husband is thinking. People in the hospital have been talking about that actress who came in yesterday—Laurel Rose."

I felt a slight chill at the mention of her name. "Is she... recovering?"

"The word in the corridors is that it’s mostly for show," he said, lowering his voice. "She looks perfectly healthy, yet she’s got a dedicated team acting like it’s a national emergency. And her partner... Blake Parker, right? He’s been practically haunting the VIP wing, ensuring she has the best of everything."

"I see," I murmured, staring at my pale hands. "He was always very protective of what he valued."

In Blake’s eyes, a minor scratch on Laurel was a catastrophe that required the world to stop. Meanwhile, my silence and my struggles were just part of the background noise of his life.

The sudden chime of Alexander’s phone broke the quiet. He frowned at the message, his shoulders tensing with professional urgency.

"Go ahead," I urged, managing a wan smile. "It looks important."

"I shouldn't leave you alone. Dr. Evans was very specific about your monitoring."

"I’m not going anywhere, Dr. Blackwood. My husband made it clear he won't let the divorce proceed today anyway. I’m quite literally trapped."

He frowned, then his face brightened as he scrolled through his contacts. "Actually, I have a friend who’s between classes. He’s reliable and could keep you company so you aren't staring at these four walls alone. Ethan?" he said into the phone as the call connected. "I need a huge favor. I’ve got a patient who needs a friendly face for an hour."

"I'm on my way," a voice replied.

Something about the name "Ethan" sparked a distant memory, but it remained out of reach. Half an hour later, when a young man in a blue tracksuit appeared in the doorway, the pieces clicked into place. He was the student I’d met at a social event with Astrid—the one who had helped us navigate a crowded night when I was trying to forget my crumbling marriage.

Ethan lingered in the doorway as Alexander made his exit. A hint of a warm, genuine smile played on his lips as he recognized me.

"Well," he said, stepping inside with an easy grace. "What a coincidence, Miss Sinclair."

His presence brought a sudden, much-needed warmth to the room. He sat in the chair Alexander had vacated, glancing at the fruit basket on my bedside table.

"So," he said, casually opting for an apple. "What brings someone like you to a place like this? You look like you’ve been through a storm."

"Just some persistent health issues," I said, leaning back against the pillows.

"At Mayo Clinic? That’s like calling in a tactical team to fix a leaky faucet," he joked, his youthful energy infectious. "Can you even eat any of this?"

I shook my head, a genuine smile finally reaching my eyes.

"More for me, then." He took a bite, sprawling comfortably in the chair. "I’m six months away from finishing my degree. You should come to my graduation party. I’ll make sure you get the best seat."

Six months. The number echoed in my head, tasting like ash. I would be lucky to see the next ninety days. "That sounds lovely," I whispered, turning my head away before he could see the shadow in my eyes.

Before the conversation could go further, my phone buzzed. It was Astrid.

"Audrey, where are you?" her voice came through, high-pitched with anxiety. "I went to the courthouse and they said you never showed. Then I went to your apartment... and guess who I found there?"

I tensed, my heart starting to race. "Who?"

"Blake Parker. And he looks like he’s ready to tear the building down."