During his second year of med school, he’d told God to back off. Told Him he didn’t want the mission field. Didn’t want the church. Didn’t want religion. Didn’t want Him.
But right now? All he wanted was grace.
A verse surfaced in his memory—the one that had haunted him since the day he walked away, the one he used to justify his exit from Christianity.
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot… So because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:15–16.
“I’ve been cold alright, forgive me,” he whispered.
He had always respected Beth’s faith. It was the first thing that drew him to her. That unshakable joy.
That quiet strength.
When she started at Penrose Hospital—fresh out of nursing school, all wide-eyed and full of conviction—everyone joked she wouldn’t last a month before she fell for the charm (or into the arms) of one of the many handsome doctors who worked there.
They even started a betting pool.
He never played.
He flirted—of course he did. It was who he was. But with Beth, he held back.
No dinners. No drinks. No games.
Until last night.
A sharp breath tore from his lungs as the weight of it hit him again. He pressed his palms harder into his eyes.
Lord, I’ve been such an idiot. I never wanted to come between her and her faith. Please forgive me… and please don’t let this destroy her walk with You.
He still had the sticky note she gave him on their first day doing rounds. It was folded up in his wallet, worn and creased. She had taped it to a tiny bag of carrots, it said:What’s up, Doc?
He’d kept it. He couldn’t help himself. He’d wanted her since the first day they met—but he’d known he could never be the man she needed.
Now?
Now he was married to her.
But he was a galaxy away from having her.
Lord, a divorce isn’t an option for me—you know that. You know what my father was like. The way he viewed marriage, like it was disposable.I’m not him. I won’t be him.I want to make this work. And if she’s willing to try—I’ll give this marriage everything I’ve got. Please… help her see that.
If she didn’t?
He swallowed hard, shaking his head—refusing to let the thought take root.
Letting her go wasn’t an option.
Divorce simply wasn’t in the cards for him.
And this time—this time—he would fight for the girl.
Even if it broke him.
Bethemerged from the bathroom, clean but pale. Her damp hair clung to her cheeks. She saw him sitting there—saw the tears—and paused.
Her heart ached, but she couldn’t let emotion take over again.
“We’ll go this afternoon and get it annulled,” she said, voice low but steady.
