“Hmm?”
“I love you. And I'm sorry. So fucking sorry for everything that happened. For my father, the debt?—”
“Stop.” His hand comes up, his fingers threading through my damp hair. “You've shown loyalty to me and to my family. You've nothing to apologize for.”
“He used me,” I say, my voice shaking. “Here I was, thinking my mam was the villain.”
“He did use you, and your father made his choices. He'll answer for them.”
I sigh.
“Your father will be leaving Dublin for good.”
The words should hurt more than they do, but all I feel is relief, and then… shame for feeling relieved.
“Where?”
“Don't know. And he won't get to tell you.” His thumb brushes my cheekbone. “He won't get to hurt you again.”
“Cavin—”
“Sleep, love. We've got a long day tomorrow.”
Tomorrow, we meet with Dr. Rosenberg at St. Vincent’s.
Morning comes too soon, gray light filtering through the windows of Ballyhock. I'm moving like I'm fucking ninety years old. Everything hurts.
“I've arranged something,” Cavin says over a cup of tea. “For Bridget.”
“What's that?”
“Dr. Rosenberg’s waiting to see us at St. Vincent’s, with Bridget.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s grand, but the hospital is a better place for her to see him.”
“Right.” I squeeze his hand. “Thankyou.”
We take Cavin's car to St. Vincent's. Every bump in the road is agony, and the pain meds barely touch it, but neither of us complains. It's worse for him than for me.
The hospital is busy—morning rounds, visiting hours just starting. A nurse directs us to a private room where Bridget's been moved.
There, standing beside her bed, is Dr. Rosenberg.
“Miss Kavanagh—ah, excuse me,” he says with a smile. “Mrs. McCarthy. Pleased to see you again.” He takes a look at Cavin. “Seems like you may need some medical attention as well.”
“I'm fine.”
“Hmm. You sure about that?”
“He's not, sir,” I say. “But I think he'll listen to reason after you see my sister.”
Cavin's hand squeezes mine. It hurts, but I welcome it.
“Take care of Bridget,” Cavin says. “Please.”
Dr. Rosenberg studies him for a moment. “Very well. Family first. I respect that.”
