I am sorry for all the hurt and pain I have caused your family and you. It was never my intention. However, the pain of seeing you and Caroline together again has hurt me more than words can ever express. I thought it was just a one-night thing, but I guess I was wrong. I guess the two of you make more sense than you and I ever did.
Sinceyou have moved on with your life, I am going to do the same. I’ll be moving away from Vancouver, but will be keeping a piece of you with me, always.
Goodbye!
Nyah
Every word felt like it sliced something out of me.
When the doctor came in, I asked to be discharged. She refused, saying I had to stay another day. The physiotherapist came in while I argued with her. Desperate, I explained everything.“My son is seven years old. I need to get back to him. Just show me the exercises and let me go. Please.”He reluctantly agreed and arranged my release.
Before leaving, I changed out of my gown and went upstairs to Caleb’s room.
He was alone. Sedated. His arm was bandaged, just like mine.
I walked over to him, kissed his cheek and whispered goodbye. Turning around, tears coursed down my cheeks.
He had hurt me again.
He had broken his promise.
And now, so had I.
I walked out of the hospital without looking back.
Out of his room.
Out of his life.
EPILOGUE - CALEB
As soon as I woke up, the first thing I asked the hospital staff was about Nyah. Every single one of them gave me the same answer—patient confidentiality laws. They said it politely, professionally, like it didn’t matter that each refusal felt like a blade twisting deeper into my chest.
Why hadn’t she come to see me?
Five days had passed.
Five long, endless days.
The doctors wouldn’t release me. Broken ribs and a concussion, they said. The thought gnawed at me until I couldn’t stay still. I forced myself out of bed and walked to the nurse’s station, asking which room she was in, already rehearsing what I’d say when I saw her.
“She’s been discharged,” the nurse said.
The words didn’t make sense at first. Discharged—without coming to see me?
I finally found my phone and called her.
Disconnected.
I dragged a hand over my head, panic blooming.
I called Elle next—the one person who would know. “Hi, I’m trying to get in touch with Nyah. Have you heard from her?”
When Elle said no and told me Donna hadn’t heard from her either, I ended the call in a daze.
Something was wrong.
I could feel it in my bones.
