After hanging up, I stared at my phone screen for a long moment. Something about that conversation felt… off.
O III
But before I could think about it too deeply, my pager went off again. Another surgery was scheduled. I pushed the strange feeling aside and headed back to work.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of medical procedures.
By the time I finished at the hospital, it was nearly midnight. My whole body ached, and I realized I’d completely forgotten to eat dinner. Again.
In the elevator up to my apartment, I pulled out my phone to browse delivery options.
I was still scrolling through restaurant menus when the elevator doors opened. Head down, focused on deciding between pad thai and orange chicken, I stepped into the hallway.
That’s when I saw the black leather shoes.
They were standing directly in front of my apartment door – expensive-looking, perfectly polished. My eyes traveled upward slowly, taking in dark jeans, a button-down shirt, and finally…
“Darrell.”
He stood there holding a large bouquet of red roses and what looked like takeout bags, smiling at me like this was completely normal.
“What the hell are you doing at my door?” Shock made my voice sharp. “I’m calling security right now!”
I fumbled for my phone, but Darrell’s next words stopped me cold.
Actually, I bought an apartment in this building. His smile widened. ‘Right below yours, in fact.”
I stared at him, completely speechless. Of all the ridiculous, stalker-ish things he could have done…
“You’re insane, I finally managed.
I’ve been waiting here for three hours,’ he continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “When I saw your apartment lights were still off, I knew you were working late again.”
He held up the takeout bags proudly. I brought you seafood pasta from that restaurant where we ran into each other, I noticed you enjoyed it. See, Sable? I’m different now. I pay attention to what you like. I’ll know you better than anyone.”
I rolled my eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t fall out of my head.
By the way, batis, I have good news! His excitement was almost manic. Remember what you told me? About focusing my energy on funtang the pack?
Oh great, here we go
1 lock your advice we secures a major investment, and my pkk the pulled out his sheet with pride. I’ve proven t can provide you with a better lile Can I putur y propway?
I stepped forward and took the inses and peate from bus has ghower my nose, inhaling their sweet scent.
“They smell amazing. I said, giving hit my brightest sunly What will ac
Darrell’s face lit up instantly. You’re much more beauti-
Such a shame though I let my smile fade as 1 spoke, then walked directly to the garbage chute and dumped both the roses and the pasta inside
The crash echoed through the hallway.
You-Darrell stared at the garbage chute in shock.
“Darrell, I said coldly, I’m glad you’ve made progress with your pack. But that doesn’t change anything. I have a fianc?.”
His face cycled through confusion, disappointment, and finally settled on anger.
Where is your devoted fianc? then? If he loves you so much, why does he let you work until midnight? Where is he when you need someone to take care of you?”
“He’s on a business trip.”
“A business trip?” Darrell’s laugh was harsh and unpleasant. “Where exactly did he go on this business trip?”
1 frowned. Something in his tone set off alarm bells. “What do you mean?”
“You don’t know, do you? His eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction. ‘Caelan flew to Blair’s treatment center this afternoon. The two of them are probably sleeping together right now.”
“You know what? I’m done with your bullshit. Good night.”
“You think I’m lying? Darrell pulled out his phone with theatrical flourish. “I just happened to see this online.”
He turned the screen toward me, showing what looked like a forum post. The title read: “Spotted Alpha Visiting Mysterious
Woman?
The photo was clear enough Caelan walking toward the entrance of a building. And the location was definitely Blair’s treatment center.
I stared at the photo, unable to deny that it was definitely Caelan.
“I thought he would at least tell you the truth,” Darrell sighed dramatically. “I didn’t expect him to hide this from you too.”
“Sable, do you really think a man who truly loves you would lie about visiting his adopted sister? Or maybe…” He let the implication hang in the air. “Maybe their relationship isn’t as innocent as it appears?”
“I heard he used to be quite the playboy. Never lacking female companions…”
“Enough!” I snapped, fury flooding through me. “Darrell, I won’t let you talk about Caelan like that!”
“I trust Caelan completely. He’s not the kind of person you’re describing!”
“Don’t try to use these lies to destroy our relationship!”
But even as I defended him aloud, my mind was racing back to this afternoon’s phone call. The pause when I’d asked where he was.
The unnatural tone in his voice.
Why didn’t he just tell me he was visiting Blair? If it’s about the case, what’s there to hide?
I shook my head quickly, angry at myself for letting Darrell’s poison get to me.
“Whatever the case,” I said firmly, “Caelan and I have a stable relationship. We trust each other, and we don’t need outsiders interfering.
I turned toward my door, fishing for my keys. This conversation was over.
The moment I turned my back to unlock the door, strong arms wrapped around me from behind. Darrell pressed against me, burying his face in my hair and breathing deeply.
I can give you a better life than he can,’ he whispered against my neck. More honest love. Come back to me, Sable.
Rage exploded through my body. I drove my elbow back hard into his stomach.
Let go of met
The moment his grip kuusened, I spun around and brought my kave up band between his legs
Darrell crumpled to the four with a strangled groa
“If you keep acting like some desperate hoer who wont stop bugging his es, it but makes me feel gross I said, standing over him, “Seriously, its futally backfiring Here’s a tip if actually want to be you dilliseth, step us say away from me.
I unlocked my duur as quickly as possible and slammed to be immediately turning all the luska.
Sale inside my apartment. I leaned back against the tour and tried to such my breath. My heart was pounding, and my hands were shaking
O 0
After a few minutes, I walked to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water.
I should call Caelan, I thought, looking at my phone. Ask him directly about visiting Blair.
But then I hesitated. What if asking makes it seem like I don’t trust him? And it’s so late now – I don’t want to wake him up.
I set the phone down and headed to my bedroom. I’ll wait for him to contact me first. If there’s something he needs to tell me, he will.
But as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, sleep didn’t come easily that night.
A loud, annoying phone ringtone woke me up from my sleep.
My hair stuck up in every direction, tangled like a bird’s nest from tossing and turning. Dark circles shadowed my eyes-remnants of a sleepless night that had stretched until nearly four in the morning.
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