My chest tightened. I hesitated, then forced myself forward.
“Dr. Cross.”
My mouth opened, then closed again. The truth pressed hard against my tongue.
“I changed my mind,” I said quickly before pride could interfere. “About your offer. If it still stands, I’ll take it.”
His expression didn’t change. There was no surprise or satisfaction.
“It stands,” he said.
Relief and fear hit me at the same time.
“I can move in today,” I added. “This afternoon, if that works.”
“Be ready by noon. I’ll pick you up.”
“You really don't have to do that. I can take the bus.”
“I’ll pick you up” His tone left no room for argument. “Bring whatever you need. The guest suite has everything else.”
He turned to leave.
“Dr. Cross—” I caught myself. “I mean, Riven.”
He paused and looked back at me.
"Thank you." The words came out quieter than I intended. “I’ll take good care of your sister. I promise.”
“Just be ready at noon,” he repeated and nodded once.
Then he was gone.
I stared at the doorway, trying to understand how my life had shifted so quickly. In less than five minutes, I had housing and a part-time job. I had a way forward that didn’t involve pulling my family into my mess.
My mother had packed most of my things and taken them with her. I'd collect them once I was settled in. She'd also taken my car to go to Aunt Evelyn's. I wouldn’t need that now anyway.
Everything I currently owned fit in one backpack.
It was exactly noon when I received a message from Riven, telling me to wait by the main entrance. I exhaled harshly and grabbed my bag, sprinting to where he said he would be.
A sleek black car waited at the curb with Riven standing beside it, his white coat gone, replaced by dark jeans and a charcoal sweater. It made him look younger, more approachable—though his face remained guarded.
He opened the passenger door without a word.
I awkwardly slid into the passenger seat, aware how weird the setup had become. Yesterday he'd been Dr. Cross, the aloof cardiac surgeon I assisted in the OR. Today I was moving into his home.
Pushing the thought aside, I sat in silence as he settled behind the wheel and pulled smoothly into traffic.
“Why didn’t you call?” he asked, slowing down at a red light.
I glanced at him. His eyes remained on the road.
"I needed time to think."
"Some people don't make major life decisions in just a few days," I said defensively.
"Some people don't wait until they have nowhere to go before accepting help," he countered calmly.
