She didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know how to explain why she was here. Why she was standing in front of him now, barely able to breathe, torn apart by pain.
“I didn’t feel well,” she said quietly, slipping off her shoes by the door. Her voice came out flat and hollow, like she was speaking on autopilot.“So I came back early.”
Frank studied her closely. Nina knew that look. He was analyzing her. Dissecting what was wrong.
“What do you mean,‘didn’t feel well’?” His voice softened, the way it used to. That was what frightened her most.“Your head? Your heart? Or is it one of your—”
She cut him off.
“I’m just exhausted, Frank.”
He nodded, unbuttoned his cuffs, and rolled up his sleeves. He looked calm. Relaxed. As if everything between them was perfectly normal. As if he wasn’t the man quietly trying to strip her of everything she owned.
Seeing him was unbearable.
She passed him without looking into his eyes and headed for the bathroom. She needed silence. Just a moment to pull herself together.
“You sure you’re okay?” Frank asked softly, following her.“Maybe I should call a doctor?”
“No,” she snapped.
But he followed her anyway, as if he sensed something was wrong.
Nina flipped on the bathroom light and yanked open the medicine cabinet. Blister packs and pill bottles were scattered inside. She searched frantically, her hands shaking.
She had to calm down. Had to get a grip.
Before she could grab the package, Frank snatched it from her hand.
“Give it back.” She spun on him sharply, her breath hitching with anger.
Frank stood in front of her, his face unreadable.
“Give them to me, Frank.”
He didn’t move. Just tightened his grip on it and looked at her in a way that made her skin crawl.
“Are you having another episode?” His gaze moved over her face, assessing every tiny detail.
“You’re exaggerating,” she huffed, stepping toward him, trying to take the pills—but he stepped back easily.
She was too raw, too furious to play his games, but he wouldn’t let her near them.
“You’re pale,” he said quietly.“You’re shaking. I’m not going to stand by and watch you destroy yourself like this. Let me take you to a clinic. They’ll put you on an IV, adjust your treatment—”
“No.” She shook her head sharply, her voice coming out too loud.
“Nina…” He paused, leaned in slightly.“You’re not okay.”
“I’m just stressed,” she said, too sharply, too hysterically.
“Stressed because of what?”
Her jaw tightened. He was watching too closely. She couldn’t let him see what was really happening. Not yet.
She took a step forward and this time looked him straight in the eyes.
“Frank, please. Just give them back to me and leave the bathroom.”
