Chapter 3

3

My best friend had to drive me home from the hospital.

Just as we arrived, Merrick hurried back after finding my empty room.

He handed me a limited-edition designer handbag as an apology gift.

I never cared for luxury brands, yet he always bought them for me.

I later learned from his buddies that Rosalie had loved those exact designer bags when they were dating.

Taking in my pale face, he spoke with guilt in his eyes.

"Amber, yesterday was an emergency. I rushed back the second I finished my business."

"Why didn't you wait for me before discharging yourself?"

I stared at him calmly. "Was it about Rosalie?"

He froze, clearly surprised that I still remembered her name.

Then he frowned and nodded. "Her husband put his hands on her."

"If I hadn't stepped in, things could have turned fatal."

I wanted to ask why she didn't just call 911.

Out of everyone in the world, did she truly need her ex-boyfriend to play hero?

Or did he simply care about her too much to stay away?

In the end, I swallowed my words.

I knew a piece of his heart would always belong to Rosalie.

It was a territory I had fought for three years to reach, yet remained locked out of.

I simply smiled like I always did. "It is fine. I understand."

Seeing me smile, he visibly relaxed and wrapped his arms around me.

He loved how sensible I was, unlike insecure women who demanded endless explanations.

He gently coaxed me. "Rest well, Amber. Don't be sad."

"Once you heal, we can always try for another baby."

A quiet hum slipped from my throat. "Okay."

What he didn't know was the real reason behind the loss of our child.

My body was failing from advanced liver cancer.

There would never be another child between us.

Because I was dying.