I hear Asher screaming my name from my study, and I panic because I sense fear in his voice. He’s not just screaming; he’s calling my attention to something bad that might have happened.
I traced his voice to the pool area, knowing Nadine went that way after we got back to the house. I wanted to follow her but decided to stay back, I know she is conflicted about me and thought it was because of Samantha.
I rush to the pool and see Nadine has passed out. I can see panic in Asher’s voice as he looks between me and Nadine. “What happened to her? What have you done to her?” I ask, wondering why Nadine is in this state.
I scoop her up into my arms, her fragile body clinging to me like a lifeline. I carry her away from the pool, noticing Asher is hot on my tail. “What happened?” I ask him as I lay her down on the couch.
“We were just talking about some random things, and then I realized she was gasping for air,” Asher explains, looking scared.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this before. Then she passed out right in front of me, Logan.”
I pace back and forth in the living room, I order Kayla to call my doctor
“What were you guys talking about that might have triggered this?” I ask Asher, frustrated.
“We were talking about Lyvia,” Asher says.
I know Lyvia was Asher’s daughter who passed away, and there are many unanswered questions surrounding her birth.
Asher rarely discusses it, but the fact that he was discussing Lyvia with Nadine piques my interest.
Before Asher can say anything, the doctor bursts in. “Mr. West, I came immediately after receiving the call.” I was relieved to see him. “Can we place her on a comfortable bed?” he suggests.
I scoop Nadine into my arms once more and make my way to my room, holding her hand tightly, refusing to let her go. I can’t lose her.
“Mr. West, I can’t do my job with the way you’re holding on to her,” the doctor says, bringing me out of my frenzied thoughts.
“Okay,” I say, moving away swiftly but not far, watching the doctor examine her closely.
After a few minutes, he looks at me and says, “She needs to rest. I think she’s been through a lot emotionally, and something might have triggered her emotions, causing her to pass out.”
What could that be? I think to myself. God damn you, Asher, I mutter, hoping he didn’t dig up a can of worms that might have triggered this.
“Allow her to rest, and when she wakes up, just feed her and don’t bother asking her anything else,” the doctor advises.
“Okay, doctor, I’ll do that. And thank you for your prompt response,” I say, appreciative.
“Anytime, Mr. West,” he replies, stepping out of the room, and leaving Nadine and me alone.
I move the stool closer to her, holding on tight to her hand, and begin to speak in a soft, soothing tone. “Nadine, please wake up, my love. I’m here for you, and I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”
I continue to ramble on, making promises I know I’ll keep.
I don’t know how long I will sit there, but I know I’ll stay by her side until she wakes up and tells me everything is okay.
I’m exhausted from sitting, so I make myself comfortable beside her on the bed, holding her tight. I sniff her scent, and it calms my racing heart.
Nadine is oblivious to how she makes me feel. I’m done saying it in words; I want to prove it to her through my actions, I don’t know how long I’ll be asleep, but I drift off, knowing she’s safe in my arms.
Then, I feel her trying to free herself from my grasp. I stand up abruptly.
She’s looking around, trying to piece things together. She’s never been in my room before, and that might explain her current state.
“W… where…” she stutters, her voice croaking from not speaking for a long time.
I get up right away and help her get water to drink. I pour some water into a glass cup and hand it to her.
“Thank you,” she mutters, her eyes fixed on me the whole time. I watch her closely too.
As she drinks the water, I can see the confusion in her eyes, trying to remember what happened.
I take the cup from her and place it on the bedside stool. “Where am I?” she finally asks.
I smile to put her mind at ease, “In my room, Nadine.”
She hurriedly gets up from the bed, but I try to stop her from going any further. “Why am I in your room?” she asks, her eyes narrowing.
I’m taken aback by her question. “Didn’t you remember anything that happened?” I ask, I notice she pauses, thinking hard.
“What did you remember?” I ask, looking at her intently. I know she guards her emotions, so I won’t be able to pick up on anything easily.
She hesitates, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for something. “I remember… I remember talking to Asher,” she says slowly. “And then… and then I felt like I was going to pass out.”
“I might have been exhausted.”
I’m pissed, knowing she’s hiding something based on the way she’s guarding her emotions.
I stand up, cursing, “God damn you, Nadine! Why are you fucking lying to me? I know something must have triggered your passing out. I could have lost you!” I say the latter part with pain in my heart.
She takes a defensive look like she’s ready to lash out at me. “What does it matter to you, Logan, if you lose me?” she shoots back in anger.
I’m taken aback by her harsh words, but I know she’s just trying to protect herself. I take a deep breath and try to calm down.
I’m not ready to go down that road with her again. I’m done fighting and going back and forth with her.
I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. I try to open my mouth to say something, but I find it hard to speak, perhaps because it’s an apology.
I summon the last bit of resolve I have and say, “Nadine, I’m sorry.”
She looks like she’s remembered something, so I move closer to her, hold her hand, and help her sit back on the bed.
“Please tell me what happened so I can help you,” I say with pleading eyes. I notice her resolve crumbling, and she keeps quiet, but then says, “Logan, please, I’m hungry” with a cute, pouty face.
A smile breaks out on my face – for fuck’s sake, I’m a lost puppy; Nadine has me wrapped around her finger without even knowing it. I place a gentle kiss on her forehead, and she smiles as I make my way to the kitchen.
As I enter the kitchen, I notice a movement and turn around to see Asher standing at the door. “How is she?” he asks, worried evident in his voice.
I want to be angry at him for whatever it is he said to make Nadine pass out, but I compose myself. Asher is my trusted friend; he cares about me like a brother and has always been there for me during my lowest points. I can’t repay him by ignoring him.
“She just woke up and is asking for food,” I tell him, bringing out the mac and cheese from the freezer to heat up.
“Logan, I’m sorry,” Asher says, “I just couldn’t comprehend everything happening so fast.”
I look at Asher, a small smile on my lips. “Don’t worry yourself, Asher. She’s fine now, and that’s what’s important.”
He sighs in relief, and I continue with what I was doing. I arrange the food on a tray and make my way back to my room.
As I enter, I notice Nadine is already standing, making her way out of my room. “No, no, Nadine. You’re staying here for your food,” I say, trying to sound firm but gentle.
“I need to get back to my room,” she says, “this is yours, and I don’t want to get too comfortable here in your room.”
Her words hurt me, and I ask, “You think so?” I quickly drop the tray containing the food on the stool and move closer to her, holding her by her shoulder. “I’m not complaining, so you sit down and enjoy your meal.” I move her back to the bed, and she wants to protest but decides against it and sits down.
As I watch her eat, I realize I haven’t taken the time to observe her while she eats. But as I gaze at her, I notice she takes her time with her food, enjoying each bite.
“Are you feeling any better?” I ask.
She has some food in her mouth, so she nods instead of answering, not wanting to spill her food.
“Where is Asher?” she asks me, looking at me intently for my reaction. My jaw clenches, and I counter with a question of my own:
“What did he tell you that made you pass out?”