The rest of the drive was quiet and slightly less tense.
The appointment went well.
The cardiologist, whom I’d finally identified as Dr. Trumann, carried out a series of basic checks, inspected the wound and removed my stitches, switched up my medication, and happily informed me that everything looked good and I was healing nicely.
Kieran was leaning against the wall opposite the doctor’s office when I walked out. His head was hung low, and I had to clear my throat twice before he jolted, obviously startled awake.
I cocked my head. “Why on earth did you sleep outside my house last night?”
He frowned, and I could have sworn his neck flushed red. “You had me worried when you didn’t pick up my calls.”
“What does that have to do with-“
“Sera!”
I turned towards the sound of a voice, and my face lit up. “Abby!”
She threw her arms around me, careful not to squeeze me too tightly. “Oh, it’s so good to see you up and about,” she gushed.
I smiled. “Thanks to you.”
Nurse Abigail had helped treat me when I’d first come to the hospital after the rogue attacks, and she’d been on night duty during my stay after getting shot. She always brought me banana pudding from the cafeteria, and when I couldn’t sleep on most nights, she would stay up with me, discussing the most mundane things.
Kieran hovered awkwardly while we caught up.
“Pain?”
“Almost entirely gone.”
“Aches?”
“A little, but I’ve been doing those stretches you taught me.
“Sleep?”
I shrugged. “Meh.”
She laughed and gave me one last hug. “I have to go now, but it was so good seeing you,
Sera.”
I beamed. “You too.”
She backed away, waving animatedly, and I laughed, mirroring her gesture.
When she disappeared round the corner, I dropped my arms and turned to Kieran. The frown on his face had my smile slipping. “What?”
He opened his mouth as if to answer, but immediately shut it. “Nothing, come on.”
I noticed he walked right next to me at a weird angle, like he fully intended to put his body between me and another bullet.
The drive back home was silent, and when Kieran parked in front of my house, I wasted no time in unbuckling myself.
“Thank you,” I mumbled.
“Sera.”
I turned to him. “Yes?”
He looked like he was warring with what he wanted to say, but finally, he spoke. “I don’t get it.”
I felt like I would regret my question. “Get what?”
“You were so friendly with that nurse at the hospital. You’re the most amazing mom to
Daniel and Lucian…” His jaw flexed. “You treat him like he’s a fucking rockstar.”
I raised a brow. “Your point?”
“Why are you so mean to Celeste?”
I couldn’t help the snort that escaped me. There it was. That same tired refrain.
“What, are we in kindergarten now?” I met Kieran’s gaze head-on, wrapping my bitterness in layers of sarcasm. “Celeste’s dad wants to know why the mean girl in her class is yanking on her pigtails?”
Kieran’s face tightened. “It’s not funny.”
“No, it is. And you know what else is funny?”
“What?”
“The fact that-” I caught myself in time. I could tell Kieran everything-from Celeste showing up at my door and practically calling me a slut to threatening to take my son away from me while I was on fucking life support.
But what would be the point? They never listened to me.
Every damn time Celeste and I clashed, I was automatically the villain. Her words were gospel. Her actions beyond reproach. While I-the pathetic, wolf-less reject-was forever scheming to hurt their precious princess.
No matter what I said, Kieran would only be on Celeste’s side. He would never believe that she could be the bad guy-not the perfect love of his life.
“Forget it,” I mumbled, opening the door. “Tell her to stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of hers. Everyone’s happy then.”
“Wait.”
I groaned. “What now?”
He rolled his eyes and reached into the backseat. His hand reappeared with a box. “It’s an encrypted phone for communicating with Daniel. The number is already there. If you use your phone, you run the risk of having Daniel’s location traced.”
“Oh.” I reached out and took the phone. “Thanks.”
He nodded. “You have another appointment next week, right?”
I exhaled, clutching the phone box to me. “Listen, Kieran, you don’t need to do all this. Your security detail hot on my ass is enough.”
He shook his head. “I promised Daniel that-“
“Well, Daniel’s not here. And he’s the only thing that tethers us together anyway.”
Something like hurt flickered across his face. “Sera-‘
I opened the door. “You have Celeste now. We hurt her in the past; you don’t want to hurt her anymore, do you?”
He frowned. “Of course not, but-“
“Then we agree. Bye, Kieran. Thanks for the ride.”
I shut the door before he could say anything else. This was how it had to be. We’d gotten divorced for a reason, and with Daniel gone, we had no other reason to be in each other’s space.
It was best for everyone if Kieran and I kept our distance. And if my chest ached at the thought, it was probably because I was still healing from the bullet wound.
SERAPHINA’S POVOD
As soon as I closed the door behind me, I rushed to the couch and unboxed the phone
Kieran had given me.
Sure enough, there was one number saved in the contacts, and I initiated a FaceTime call, my hands shaking with anticipation.
It rang twice, and a gasp tore out of me when Daniel’s face filled the screen. “Mom!”
“Oh, my baby!” I clutched my chest, feeling like my heart was going to break free of my ribcage to go to him.
He gave me a toothy grin, showcasing his canines that were still growing out slowly after falling out a month ago. I didn’t know if it was the ache of missing him, but he looked so young, and all I wanted to do was reach through the phone and hold him in my arms.
“I miss you,” he declared.
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