“So this has been the negative influence on you lately. We knew something was wrong, but now it all makes sense,” Baba said.
“Don’t say that.”
Mom beckoned me to stand by her. “He’s not for you, Nairie. He’s a thug.”
I could sense William’s energy shift even though his expression remained impassive.
I grabbed onto his hand. “Don’t speak about him that way. He’s the most wonderful man I’ve ever met, andhe treats me better than anyone you’ve ever set me up with.”
Mom was about to argue, but Baba stepped forward. I’d never seen him so upset. He was practically shaking, and it scared me.
“We had plans for you, Nairie. For your life. You think we came to America to watch our only daughter end up with an outsider?” Baba said as his face reddened with anger.
He broke out in a sweat, and his left hand was twitching.
I took a step forward to calm him. “Baba, take a breath. It’s going to be okay.”
He tried reaching for me but clutched his arm before collapsing onto the floor.
William quickly sprang into action and dialed 911 while I knelt to support his head. Mom was completely speechless and in a state of shock as she watched her husband wheezing on the ground. Everyone stood in anxious anticipation as William tried to keep my Baba stable.
Elspeth, William, and I rode to the hospital together while Mom rode in the ambulance with Baba. It felt like I was holding my breath all the way there.
The waiting room was cold and cast in bright fluorescent lighting. It wasn’t packed with people, so I could pace the room in peace without too many stares. William patiently sat with Elspeth as I spiraled. He attempted to comfort me, but I quickly redirected myself toward the window. Even though I craved his support, I stayed distant to punish myself.
This was all my fault, and I didn’t deserve comfort. Everything had happened so fast, and I was strugglingto cope with the near-death experience, my parents knowing the truth, and William’s imminent departure.
It wasn’t until the doctor came to announce that Baba was stable but that he would need to be under observation the next few days that I could finally sit down and take a moment to breathe.
Likely sensing I still needed space, William went to grab everyone water and tissues. Aunt Lilit arrived shortly, and I shot into her arms, letting her cinnamon scent soothe me.
My confession came out in a burst of tears. “I almost killed him.”
Elspeth clutched my shoulder. “No, you didn’t.”
Aunt Lilit shook her head as she held me. “As much as I’d like to believe the women in our family have that kind of power, your father was on a steady diet of red meat and butter for the past thirty years. This was bound to happen.”
I choked out a cry. “If I were a better daughter, I would have followed the rules. Just do what they wanted me to do...”
Elspeth wiped my tears. “No, we’re not going there. You deserve to be happy, Nairie. You can’t live your life for them.”
“Elspeth’s right. Your parents will see that in time,” Lilit said.
I tried believing their words, but I was so mentally drained. I couldn’t navigate my thoughts and feelings properly. My head was swimming with panic, sorrow, and fear. It felt like everything in my life was hemorrhaging, and I had to stanch the bleeding.
Chapter 19
William
I’d been in countless situations in battle. I knew how to keep a calm head when shit went sideways. So when everything happened at the banquet, I took it all in stride, preparing to give CPR if necessary. But navigating Nairie’s walls was something else entirely. I could feel her closing me out, and it broke my heart. Her parents’ judgments about me stung, but hopefully, they’d come around in time.
Given the circumstances, I wanted to reschedule my return trip home and stay with Nairie for as long as she needed me. I was even willing to miss out on Angus getting arrested. I got the call a few days ago that the sting would be ending soon, but she was my priority now. I wanted to be by her side for the bad times as much as the good because I knew this strong, beautiful woman who so rarely relied on others could rely on me.
It felt like an honor, but what Nairie said next truly shocked me. “I think we should take a break.”
I looked at her confused and stopped stroking her back as we sat side by side. It had been a few hours since we’d gotten to the hospital, and Nairie’s father was stable.
“Where’s this coming from?” I said calmly.
