“Dr. Wood, there is another delivery in your office,” Sandra, one of my nurses wagged her brows. It’s been three days since I’d given James back his ring. I’ve not dared go back to the house. I can’t fathom the thought of seeing James or Marina. Not yet at least. After the meeting, Shawn drove me to my condo in the city. My mother and father protested when I’d put my foot down about keeping it after James and I got married, but I’m thankful I refused now. It was my home before I shared one with James. Everything was a bit dusty, but otherwise, it felt peaceful. The entire first night I spent crying and shoveling ice cream into my face. I’d held my tears so much over the last three years, that I cried for hours. I feel as if I’m mourning a loss. It’s tragic knowing that no matter how hard you tried, it was never going to be good enough. When I entered my marriage with James, I had hope. So much of it. I studied him from the shadows. Learned everything that I could learn. I

“What is this dinner party for again?” James leaned down, whispering in my ear as photos were snapped of us climbing out of the car. Mr. Green stood tall, shielding us with his body, despite James being almost a head taller. “Shawn is stepping in for my father as CEO while he and my mother travel the world,” I faked a smile, pretending we were a couple in love. James’ mood shifted and his grip on my arm tightened, “What does a football player have to offer a pharmaceutical company?” The words left his lips with a snarl. James and Shawn didn’t know each other, which meant after our meeting with the lawyer, he researched who Shawn was. “He’s also a business major,” I smiled. Shawn deserved this as much as anyone, “He’s been a part of our family for as long as I can remember. My father couldn’t have picked someone better.” James made a sour face as we walked through the doors of my parents' mansion. Bodies filled the large space, and the sound of chatter surrounded us. Soft mu

My heart thumped rapidly within my chest. While Shawn and I weren’t doing anything that would go against my marriage; I didn’t want James to think that. He may be the type of man who desecrates his vows; but not me. Just as I began to crawl towards the door, I heard her. “James, I wanted to see what your life was like now,” Marina sniffled, but her voice sounded anything but sincere. I heard James sigh as I scooted back to sit next to Shawn, who lifted his index finger to his lips, “Tonight was not the night for that, and you know it. I explicitly explained that I have to keep up appearances.” “But why does it have to involve her?” Marina spat the word ‘her’ as if it burned her to say. “We are married!” James shouted, “To everyone here, she is my wife. And I have already explained to you why I married her.” “Everyone here doesn’t matter,” Marina whispered, sounding hurt, “What happened to the man I knew before the accident?” James released a heavy breath that even I could

“Your labs all look to be improving,” I listened to the steady beating of my patient’s heart through a stethoscope, “I think it’s safe to say we will be able to send you home tomorrow.” The woman looked so relieved at the news, warming my heart. I’ll never understand how my mother could look down on my position. Every day I come here excited to be making a difference in the world. Sure, my father’s groundbreaking drug trials are making massive changes in the world, but it has just never felt the same to me. Walking out to the nurse's station, I don’t even get a word out before I hear the dreamy sighs and giggles of my coworkers. Lifting my eyes from my clipboard, I see the reason standing with an awkward smile on his face and a bouquet of white roses. “James,” I furrowed my brows, “What are you doing here?” The whispers around me intensified as did the horrified looks. I’d just addressed my husband by his name and not some endearment as well as not being excited to see him.

My mind was still stuck on whatever had just happened. I couldn’t think beyond the look that I’d just seen in James’ eyes. I quickly scooped up a bite of food, trying to buy my brain to catch up. “Let me guess,” James’ lips curled slightly, “No more white roses?” I stifled laughter, “That is definitely rule number one,” but my mood was short lived, “I suppose I should give you my real number one and give you the opportunity to walk away now.” “Marina isn’t going anywhere,” James pinned me under a frustrated glare. My lips pulled into a frown and my heart began racing, “Who is she to you, James?” “Who or what she is doesn’t matter. Why is it that you can’t accept that?” he sounded exasperated. I closed my eyes, feeling the all-too-familiar sting of tears burning my eyes, “It matters because I’m your wife. I didn’t marry you so that I could share you with someone else.” “We married each other for our own reasons,” he gritted his teeth, making the muscle in his jaw tighten. Ho