“Just got into a small car accident,” Mia said quietly. “But I’m fine. I’m on my way home now.”
“An accident?”
Alexander’s voice dropped instantly. In the background, Mia heard the scrape of a chair, the sound echoing sharply—as if he had stood up too fast.
“What kind of accident?” he demanded. “Where are you? I’m coming to pick you up right now. Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” Mia said quickly. Then she lowered her voice, stepping slightly away from the hospital entrance. “James came out of nowhere and saved me. A car almost hit me—that’s why I was at the hospital. But I’m okay. I’m not injured. Don’t worry.”
There was a tense pause on the line.
“You don’t need to come,” she added softly. “I was just leaving the hospital.”
“I’m your husband,” Alexander said, his voice shaking slightly. “It’s my job to worry about you.” His voice grew tighter. “Where are you right now? Tell me. Don’t make me more anxious—I’m already losing my damn mind, Mia.”
A small, involuntary smile tugged at her lips.
“Mr. Graves,” she said gently, “I know you’re my husband. But I’m not a child. I’m really fine. By the time you get here, I’ll already be home. I don’t want to stand outside alone waiting.”
She heard him exhale slowly on the other end.
“Please,” he said. “Just come home fast.”
“I’m already on my way,” she replied—and before he could argue again, she hung up.
The moment the screen went dark—
A voice spoke behind her.
“So affectionate with that new man of yours?”
Mia stiffened.
She turned sharply.
James stood a few steps away.
His arm was still wrapped in bandages, his movements stiff—but his eyes burned as they locked onto her. His gaze flicked to the phone still clenched in her hand.
“I heard everything,” he said darkly, as if she had committed some unforgivable crime. “How can you talk to another man in that voice?”
Mia stared at him, disbelief flashing across her face. “Why are you still following me?”
“I wasn’t stalking you,” he snapped. “I came after you. You were too busy being lovey-dovey with another man to notice anything else around you.”
She straightened her back, her patience thinning. “James, can you stop being weird? Take care of yourself. Don’t get angry at me.”
She turned to leave.
Suddenly, arms wrapped tightly around her from behind.
Mia gasped as his chest pressed against her back. His face buried into the side of her neck, his breath hot and uneven against her skin. His grip tightened around her waist, holding her in place.
“I need to talk to you,” he begged hoarsely. “Just talk to me. That’s all I’m asking. Is that so difficult?”
His voice cracked.
“We lived together for five years. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
