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The doctor explained where Lakelyn could have the blood work done, told her someone from the office would contact her to schedule the in-person examination, then reminded her to call sooner if she developed any new symptoms.

A fucking neurological exam… all because my dead ass couldn't leave a mattress alone.

Lakelyn thanked the doctor, promised to follow whatever instructions were sent through the patient portal, and ended the call. The screen went dark, but I barely noticed.

My attention stayed on her as she sat there for a few seconds with the closed laptop in front of her, quieter than she had been before the appointment started.

Lakelyn had been scared… not scared of me. Hell, she didn’t even know me was what she had been dealing with. Lakelyn had been scared of herself, and that was worse.

For six years, I had wanted nothing more than for that woman to walk back through my front door. I had imagined her in the mansion more times than I could count, imagined being close to her again, hearing her laugh in these rooms, watching her sleep in our bed, seeing Kaidence running around the place that should’ve been his home from the beginning. Then she finally came back, and I got so caught up in making sure she could feel that I was still there that I never really stopped to consider what all those little signs looked like from her side.

To me, moving something she had just put down or letting the mattress sink beneath my weight was a way of saying, I’m here, baby. I’m right beside you. The scent of my cologne, a cold spot brushing past her, something shifting when nobody else was around—all of it had been an attempt to reach her the only way I could. To Lakelyn, apparently, it meant she might need a fucking neurological workup.

“Damn,” I muttered.

“You’re finally catching on.” Miss Veda’s voice came from behind me.

I closed my eyes. “Not now.”

“Oh, I think now is an excellent time.”

I looked over my shoulder and found her standing near the bedroom door in one of her long, flowing dresses, her arms folded loosely across her chest. There was entirely too much satisfaction hiding in her expression for somebody who had just walked in on me having a serious moment of self-reflection.

I lowered my voice out of habit, even though Lakelyn couldn’t hear either one of us. “How long you been standing there?”

“Long enough to hear your woman tell a medical professional that her mattress has developed a personality.”

“This ain’t funny.”

“I didn’t say it was.”

“You smiling.”

“I’m smiling because you are hardheaded, and occasionally it is satisfying to watch reality accomplish what my repeated warnings could not.”

Her smile widened just enough to irritate me.

I turned back toward Lakelyn. She had picked up her phone and was reading something, probably whatever follow-up instructions the doctor had already sent. Nothing about her looked panicked, but I knew her well enough to see when something was sitting heavy on her mind.

“I never wanted her questioning herself like this,” I said.

That finally wiped some of the amusement from Miss Veda’s face.

“I know.”

“I wanted her to know I was here.” I rubbed a hand over my face. “But I get it now.”

“Yes. After she scheduled a medical appointment.”

I glanced back at her. “You just couldn’t let me have the realization without adding that part?”

“No.”

“Of course not.”

She came to stand beside me, and for a little while, neither of us said anything. We just watched Lakelyn move around the room without knowing I was standing only a few feet away.

“I’m ready to tell her everything,” I finally said.