The next time I opened my eyes, Tory was watching me.
I looked around, checking for that one familiar face of a man, but he was not around, which made me heave a sigh of relief.
“Hey, you are awake. Are you hungry?” Tory rose from her seat when she noticed me sitting on the bed.
Then, she crossed the small living area to the mini-pantry and started rummaging through the mini-fridge inside my room.
“Your ex brought a lot of stuff. Enough to feed an army.” She announced, ticked off in her fingers the food on the fridge.
“You name it, and it’s here. All I have to do is reheat whatever you fancy.” Then, she closed the fridge.
“I don’t know.” My nostrils twitched after taking a whiff of what was inside the refrigerator and not finding any of the aroma to my liking.
My stomach started to churn.
In haste, I grabbed the IV drip’s handle and ran to the restroo
“Until you get the clear go. The doctor will see you this afternoon. If there’s nothing, she said that she will issue your discharge order tomorrow.” My brother’s voice pulled me back from following Caleb’s movements.I watched as Caleb rose from the chair he was sitting on to hurriedly open the door, closing it right after he stepped out.“Why can’t I go now? I feel fine.” I flexed my muscles to prove my point.Adam, on the other hand, wore a dubious look on his face.Caleb reentered the room carrying a stack of soda crackers in his arms. I watched how he placed them on the table before opening a pack and put the contents on a smalll plate to hand them to me.“Better safe than sorry.”I heard Adam’s reply even when my hands were busy connecting with the plate Caleb was holding.In my eagerness, I almost snatched the plate from his hands. I was so hungry. The sight of the crackers had me salivating in no time.“Easy,” Caleb said when I grabbed a cracker with my thumb and forefinge
Caleb’s POVI wanted to hit someone.My hands clenched into tight fists while I padded through the hospital corridor. I had to leave Cassy’s suite, or else I may be constrained to punch someone in the face.That doctor was all over her, and he brought her balloons and flowers.Hah!I am not blind. I knew the b*stard likes my ex-wife. And not just that, my ex-wife had the gall to smile at him and exchange kisses. In fact, she had smiles for everyone except me.Me, she wanted to throw out.I remembered how she made a fuss about kicking me out of her room. If I had not talked to her parents earlier, I think her brother would do as she wished and thrown me out.I was just glad that the older Burkes understood our situation and were willing to meet me halfway. But Cassy’s proving to me the obstinate one. With their intervention, I was able to stay with Cassy at this time.She’s not showing yet, but her pregnancy completely altered her temperament. She was a wild one.I smiled at the me
I shot Amanda a curious glance, surprised by the subtle change in her demeanor.It was unusual for her to act this way. From the little I know of her, Amanda was always about fun and socializing.She was the love “em and leave ‘em type. She was not the one to freeze into place at the mention of an old lover.Unless,“Why did you break up with Adam?” I asked after I concluded my conversation with Adam Burke.He called to inform me that the doctor had already given Cassy the clearance and would be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.At first, Amanda tried to feign ignorance of the man, feeding all the curious bones in my body.But her body language tells me otherwise.“Are you still in love with Adam Burke?”Amanda looked stricken upon hearing my reprisal. I saw the indecision on her face until finally, she replied,“That’s a taboo topic. Please, don’t mention his name again.”Her reply made me more curious.“Did you fight? Or was it because of the promise we made to Margaret bef
Adam’s scowl confronted me after I loosened my hold on Amanda and stepped back.“This is not what you think it is.” I tried to explain, but Adam already walked past me.Then, he stopped and turned his head around.Our eyes met. I saw anger flashing in Adam's eyes, but I was glad he did not make a scene.“Just make sure you commit to your words. Our parents are generous enough to let you be a part of Cassy’s pregnancy, but one wrong move, and I will do anything in my power to keep you off my sister’s back.”My jaws clenched.“Cassy is here?” Amanda asked to break the awkward silence after Adam Burke left.“Yeah.” I nodded. Amanda squeezed my arm. “You better go to her then.”I agreed because Adam’s threat still plays in my head. I had this crazy notion that he would take Cassy away the minute he got the chance, and I could not let him have that. With a little wave, Amanda turned around and walked away from me. I watched her walk unsteadily. I knew she was not fine, but she was a br
Caleb’s POVWhile I watched Cassy asleep, I called one of my friends with whom I arranged to do something for me.It had been at the back of my head for days now, and talking to Amanda made things easier for me.Seeing her reaction right outside the doctor’s office when she saw Adam Burke, everything had been crystal clear to me at that moment.“Any update on my request?”My lawyer friend Greg Davis laughed at the anxiousness in my tone. Well, I could not blame him for being amused.I have a very unusual request.“Come on, Greg. I am serious. What happened to my divorce record? Did you manage to settle it?”There was a pause, and the wait was killing me.I need to know right away so I can make another plan. I flexed my fingers when I heard Greg's snicker on the other line. I let it pass, ignoring the veiled sarcasm.“I could never understand you. Why divorce your wife when you are going to steal your divorce record later? And what if our accomplice snitched on us? You know how money
Caleb’s POVI don't know what came over me as I strode out of Cassy's room as if in a daze.My hand connected to my phone, and I started pressing numbers as dread swept over me.“St. John Hospital, how may I help you?”“I want to know the exact time Cassy Burke checked out and who fetched her." I barked on the phone.Startled, the girl on the other line nervously tried to explain.“I am sorry, I can not provide the information you seek. We at St. John Hospital value our client's privacy. We are not allowed to give away vital information regarding them." She stammered.Maybe she could sense the authority in my voice and did not want to get herself into trouble.“Do you know who I am?” I asked as I pressed the down button.The elevator is taking time to arrive, adding to my frustration.“Uhm no sir. I-a-am sorry.” The stammer was back.
Cassy’s POV“You should be resting.”I was startled when Tony broke into my thoughts.I did not realize that he had followed me here. “I just came back from hospital confinement where all I did was rest. Besides, I am resting.” I replied, glancing at him before pulling my gaze back to return my focus to the sea beyond.The waves lapping at the beach mesmerized me. The way it pulls in and back as it kisses the sand on the beach creates a relaxing rhythm for me.Tony joined me. He sat on the towel I laid out to sit on, the skin of our arms touching, but neither one of us spoke. We simply enjoyed each other's company and the silence, the breeze, and the waves serving as our background. I sat with my arms wrapped around my bent-up knee, looking to the sea and beyond.“Are you sad?”“Why would I?” I shot back too quickly like I was afraid the facade I kept holding on to would collapse any minute.“Come on kid. We have been friends for years. You can not fool me.”He nudged me with hi
Cassy POVThe next morning, I heard a commotion from outside, prompting me to wake up. There was a shouting match, and the mention of my name forced me out of bed. I hurriedly padded through the floor and went to the window, drawing the drapes back to get a glimpse outside.My eyes widened when I saw my ex-husband calling out for me. He looked unkempt, unlike the usual pristinely groomed Caleb Kingston I know. “Cassy. I know you are here. Please, let us talk.” Desperation filled his voice. Adam’s friends held him back. There were four men, including my brother, and he was only one. I was surprised he came in alone. With his money and connections, I think he could have mobilized an army to face my brother’s wrath. But he didn’t.I sighed. Caleb Kingston could be stupid sometimes. Didn’t he realize that he was outnumbered? What if Adam's restraint slipped? Caleb would be black and blue after Adam was done with him. “Cassy. Please, let us talk!” “Will you cut it? I told you C