“You know, I saw you the last time you were at the bar,” he says with a smile on his face.
I gasped, not expecting anyone who knew me to have seen me there.
“You did?” I ask, my eyes wide with surprise.
“Yes, I did,” he replies.
“And I saw Logan too. I could tell he was trying to keep it together when he saw that guy dancing with you. He was so jealous. You should have seen the way he looked at you when you weren’t looking. Logan is smitten, and if I may say so, he can’t do without you.”
I give him a sharp look. “Can’t do without me?” I ask, recalling the conversation Nathalie had with Logan on the phone while I was hiding in his office.
“Umm, hmm, but he doesn’t know,” Lucas replies, with a smile playing on his lips.
I shake my head, dismissing the thought. “No, Logan just cares about me, that’s all.”
“Believe that at your own risk,” he says with a shrug as we make our way inside.
I feel my cheeks flush at his words. The idea of Logan being jealous or even obsessed with me is something I hadn’t fully considered before.
“I didn’t realize,” I say, trying to process what Lucas is telling me.
Lucas continues, “Trust me, I’ve known Logan for a long time. He doesn’t let many people get close, but with you, it’s different. He’s not the type to show his emotions openly, but when it comes to you, they’re written all over his face.”
“I just… I don’t know what to think anymore. Everything’s so complicated.”
Lucas nods. “I get it. Things are messy right now but don’t doubt how he feels about you. Whatever happens, just know that Logan cares about you deeply.”
We walk in silence for a moment. Everyone looks up at us when they see us enter.
“For everyone,” Lucas announces as he hands out the takeout. Everyone steps forward to collect theirs.
“Thank you,” they all mutter, but Samantha, being the way she is, just takes hers without saying a word.
“Arrogant,” I mutter under my breath, rolling my eyes.
“So, what’s the news? Has anyone come out to talk about what’s happening there?” I ask, pointing toward the door.
“No one, Nadine. We’re just hopeful that everything will turn out fine,” Laura replies.
We settle down with our food, but I don’t want to eat much. I’m afraid if I eat too much, I’ll just throw up and draw attention to myself.
I glance around the room and notice how exhausted everyone looks. There’s nothing we can do but wait.
Even Samantha, who’s usually so composed, looks shaken. I can’t blame her-this situation is taking a toll on all of us.
Lucas, sitting beside me, nudges me gently.
“You should try to eat something, Nadine. You need your strength.”
I nod, knowing he’s right, but my appetite is nonexistent. I unwrap the food anyway, forcing myself to take a bite, but it tastes like cardboard in my mouth.
Suddenly, the door to his room opens. I drop my food and rush to the doctor standing at the door.
“How is he?” I ask anxiously.
The doctor looks calm. “He’s stable for now,” he says, and I sigh in relief.
“The surgery was successful, but he’s still in critical condition. We’re monitoring him closely.”
I nod. “Can I see him?”
The doctor hesitates for a moment before responding.
“You can, but only for a few minutes. Who is Nadine?” he asks, glancing around the room.
“I am,” I reply, raising my hand slightly.
“You can go in first,” the doctor says with a small wink. “He kept calling your name.”
I feel my cheeks flush crimson red at the thought of Logan calling my name during such a critical time.
Lucas gives me a nudge, his expression saying, “I told you so.” The rest of the family looks at me with admiration.
I feel a bit happy to be the center of attention for a moment, to know that Logan was thinking of me.
But as I glance around the room, I notice someone lurking in the corner, sending me a look of indifference. The coldness of that stare sends a shiver down my spine, pulling me back to reality.
As I step into the room, the sight of Logan lying there, connected to various machines, makes my heart ache. Seeing him like this is almost too much to bear. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I walk closer to his bed.
“Logan,” I whisper, reaching out to touch his hand. It feels cold and unresponsive. I squeeze it gently, hoping for some sign that he can hear me, that he knows I’m here.
“I’m so sorry. I never wanted this to happen. Please, Logan, you have to fight. For me, for us… for our child.”
I lean in closer, my tears falling onto the bed.
“I know we’ve had our differences, but I need you to come back to me. I can’t do this without you.”
I stand there for a few more moments, just holding his hand, hoping for a miracle. But there’s no response, no movement. I know I have to be strong, but seeing him like this makes it so hard.
Finally, I pull myself away, knowing I have to let the others in. As I step out of the room, I look at Florence, Lucas, and even Samantha, all waiting anxiously.
“He’s stable.”
Florence nods, tears brimming in her eyes as she prepares herself to go in next.
Lucas places a comforting hand on her shoulder, guiding her toward the room. Samantha stays behind.
I find a seat in the corner, my legs feeling weak, as I watch Florence disappear into the room. I continue with my food, aware that my cheeks are still burning from blushing so hard.
Once we finish eating, everyone hangs around, waiting patiently for permission to go inside.
The realization that I’ve completely forgotten about the hurt and just want to see him makes me question if what Lucas said is true.
Florence approaches me with a look of love in her eyes. My face lights up with a smile as she comes closer.
“It’s good to know my boy is in safe hands,” she says.
“I know he hasn’t been lucky in love. He was dumped on his wedding day, and I guess that’s why he didn’t want to announce his marriage to you.”
I nod, feeling conflicted. How do I tell her that this is just temporary and that soon I’ll find my way out of their lives? I can’t bring myself to look her in the eye, knowing it’s all a lie.
“I hope I’ll get to see my grandbabies soon,” Florence adds.
My eyes widen as I try to gauge if she has noticed that I’m pregnant. I laugh it off nervously.
“Oh, Florence, we are still trying,” I lie, cringing inwardly at the deception.
I don’t know what the future holds for Logan and me after this accident, but I can’t see things going back to the way they used to be.
The fact that I told him I wanted out of the contract and he vehemently refused makes me question whether we can continue this arrangement.
I know I’ll need to take a stand regarding Samantha staying in our house if we choose to keep up this sham of a marriage.
I notice a doctor walking toward Logan’s room, and it piques my interest.
My heart pounds in my chest at the thought of what might have happened to warrant another doctor’s visit.