“You’re married now?” It comes out as a question, but he already knows the answer.
“Yes,” I answer without hesitation.
He looks at me with sadness but continues. “I am happy for you, Liv. Really. I’m sorry that I caused you so much pain. I was depressed after the accident and became more depressed. I went away to get treated for my depression and enrolled in an inpatient treatment facility. I learned a lot while there. I dealt with my issues of the accident, with you, and my life moving on from here on out. You know, my future. I just needed this time to get better, and I finally felt like this weight was lifted off my shoulders.”
“I am happy for you, Brodie. I was apprehensive about you coping with everything. I sensed you were struggling, but I didn’t know how to help you. I am glad that you got the help you needed.”
He moves closer to me, and I looked down into his eyes which were so clear. I saw how much he cared for me, and I was glad I came to see him. He looked at my ring. “So tell me about this husband of yours.”
I start, but then hesitate.
“Liv. I want to know how happy you are about the man you are married to.”
I nod.
“Well, Dax and I reconnected about a year later. He had been texting me a few times that year, but I was just not ready to date anyone. Focusing on school and….”
I look around before meeting his eyes.
“I know, Liv. Please finish.”
“I ran into him after a run when I went into the Starbucks and then at my clinicals.” I touch my ring, remembering when I tried to run from him. “I guess it was meant to be. There’s something else, Brodie.”
He looks at me, and then, as if realization clicks, he remembers our last conversation and quickly looks at my belly. I see his eyes widen and then meet mine. “Wow. You really are pregnant.”
I nod, and I see his eyes glaze over. I go to stand nearer to him and touch his cheek. He looks up at me.
“I am happy for you, Liv. Promise that I will get to meet your…”
“Son,” I say, and he smiles. “I am having a boy.”
“That’s so great, Liv.”
I look to see if he is sincere and I know he means it.
We catch up on a few things when I get a text message. I retrieve my phone and see that Dax is asking how things are going.
“Well, I better get going. Dax brought me after work and is waiting for me outside.”
“Of course,” he replies, and I see the smile that I used to love. “Please don’t stress yourself out by coming over to visit. Just text or call me if you can, and I’ll see you soon.”
I hug him and kiss him on the cheek and leave the room. I stop at the door once more before leaving to find him turning away toward the balcony. I hesitate before leaving, but I can’t go back to him. I feel my life has split in two, and I have to take one road turning my back on the other. I close the door behind me, and the click makes it feel monumental. I feel a sense of dread wash over me, and I can’t shake this feeling. I want to run in and hug him again for some reason, but I talk myself out of this feeling of dread I have. I say goodbye to Melissa, returning her my now cold mug of tea.
“I hope everything went well, Liv.”
I hug her and grab my stuff. “It did, but I feel like I won’t see him again, and it unsettles me.”
“Oh, Liv, you know that isn’t true. He is doing much better, and I am glad he got the help he needed.”
“I agree. You are right. Well, I better get going.”
She walks me out, and I get into the car with Dax. He looks over at me and, without saying a word, returns his gaze forward and starts the car. We drive off, leaving my thoughts with a sense of foreboding.
ChapterForty
ONE MONTH LATER
Liv
