Chapter 2
The memories stopped cold.]
Marcus didn’t seem to notice how pale I looked.
He just said, like it was nothing,
“If there’s nothing wrong, you should go home. []
You’re a military spouse–don’t hog the medical resources.”
es.”
I nodded.
“Okay.”
He added,
“I’ll be with Emma the next few days.
Don’t come looking for me.“]
Don’t
I nodded again. []
“Okay.”
Maybe I was too calm, because he actually paused. []
He let go of Emma’s hand and stepped toward me. []
“Are you…. feeling okay?”
“Once Emma’s more stable, I’ll go with you for a real checkup.”
I mumbled something, pretending not to see the bitter look Emma shot me.
As I walked past, I caught the faint scent on Marcus’s clothes.
Lavender.
Emina’s favorite hair oil.
He must’ve held her a lot while she was in the hospital.
Long enough for the scent to soak into his clothes.
When I got home, Mia from next door was just heading out. []
She stopped, startled by how pale I looked. []
“Olivia, oh my God–are you okay?” |
“Did something happen?“}}
I smiled, but my eyes burned. []
So it really was that obvious. []
Even a neighbor could see I wasn’t okay. []
But Marcus couldn’t?
It had been a week. []
And not even one word of concern from him. []
Not one.
Mia didn’t push. [
0
Natumaire My 3 year Seal Moraine Erat Plas
Chapter 2
she just gently helped me inside and sat me down.]
That night, she brought over a big bowl of chicken soup. []
“Olivia, your body’s already fragile, and now you’re pregnant. []
You need to eat well.“]
Mia’s husband was in the military too. 0
But they had a bunch of kids and not enough to live on. []
She’d trade eggs every month for whatever household supplies she could get.[]
I thanked her and sat at the kitchen table for a long time, lost in thought. []
Why was it that even my neighbor cared so much… []
But my husband couldn’t?]
This marriage felt more like a joke with every passing day. []
Isighed and lifted the bowl to my lips.[]
P
Just as I was about to take a sip, the gate creaked open. []
“Olivia, I’m back.“]
Marcus stepped inside, holding a few changes of clothes. []
I looked at him, surprised. []
“I thought you were staying with Emma?“]
He shrugged.[]
“Doctor says it’s nothing serious. []
Still, I’d rather she stay in the hospital a few more days. [
I came home to grab some stuff.“[]
I nodded, but I couldn’t help remembering what he said that morning. []
“If there’s nothing wrong, go home.“]
“Don’t take up medical resources.“]
So if it’s Emma, everything’s different. []
I guess I really was done caring-
Because I didn’t even have the strength to argue.[]
1 dropped my gaze and started sipping the soup. [
Marcus looked over suddenly. []
“You made chicken soup?“]
“Don’t drink it just yet. []
Emma’s still weak–this1l be good for her.”
