“We’re trying to protect you,” Fiona said.
“Get out. Both of you.”
Hurt dawned on his mother’s face. “We’re only trying to help—”
“I’ve got a splitting headache and it’s time for you both to leave. If you throw suspicion on Remy, I’ll make the separation between us permanent.”
He could tell his words had shaken his mother. “I’ll check on you soon,” she said as she moved toward the door.
“Don’t check on me,” Jeremiah said. “I’ll reach out to you both when I’m ready.”
“Felix,” Fiona said in a meaningful way.
His father exited the room behind her.
What kind of parents were these?
What kind of family was this?
Remy stayed away for an hour and a half.
Once she’d reached the hospital cafeteria her stomach had reminded her that it wanted food. In all the hubbub she’d missed lunch and now it was almost dinnertime. So she’d eaten and tried in vain to gather her thoughts.
When she returned to Jeremiah’s room, she entered quietly, half expecting him to be dozing. No. He was looking right at her with a frown. He clicked the remote in his hand, silencing ESPN on the TV. “You were gone so long, I was afraid you went home.”
“I thought about it.”
“Remy.” He sat upright on the mattress, one bare calf and foot dangling over the edge. “I need for you to stay.”
“That’s not technically true. You know your name. You’re in good hands here at the hospital. You’ve been reunited with your family.”
He bent over, coughing. Straightened. “If you’re concerned about my health and recovery—”
“I’ve devoted the last ten days to your health and recovery.”
“—then you’ll stay.” A muscle ticked in his throat.
They locked metaphorical horns.
“I can recover,” he said, “and I can face . . . whatever is in my past if you are here. But not without you. You’re the only ally I have.”
“We’reallies?”
“Yes.”
“Crises make strange bedfellows.”
“Tell me you’ll stay.”
She hesitated.
“Please,” he said.
“For how long?”
“Until I’m settled and doing fine on my own. I’ll pay for your hotel room—”
“I am so weary of you—and more recently your father—assuming that I’m motivated by money! It’s insulting. I am not motivated by money.”
