The driveway is empty, and a wooden sign is pressed into the ground with a for sale sign hanging from it. I feel a pang of hurt in my chest that I can't quite explain. Hanna always said she'd never sell this house. We planned to sell mine, but the second Jameson walked into town, everything changed, so I'm not sure what I expected.
I'm not sure how long I sit here and stare at the empty house before pulling back out, but by the time I do, it's getting dark. Three months ago, we were going to stand in front of our friends and family and promise ourselves to each other, and now I don't even know where they live.
I don't know where they live.
How crazy is that?
It's getting late, and Hanna will be putting Ellie to bed soon anyway, so I end my mission. At least for tonight, and head back home. Alone.
Arriving at work the next day is torture. I can't concentrate on anything, let alone my patients. Which is dangerous. It's my job to keep those kids safe. After leaving the Operating Room, I went straight for a break to try and clear my mind.
One of the nurses that I've gotten to know over the past couple of months, Keira, offers me a bottle of water as I pull out a seat.
"Are you okay?" She asks, "You don't look so good."
"I'm fine," I lie. "Just didn't sleep well last night."
I watch as two younger nurses walk by us, whispering to each other and trying not to stare.
"Why is everyone acting so weird?"
She winces, "Honestly?"
"Well, I don't want you to lie," I spit.
"Everyone is kind of confused. You used to be so happy, but now it's like you don't even want to be here anymore. The kids used to talk so highly of you. They used to ask for Dr. E in the PACU."
Her confession hurts because ever since I decided that becoming a doctor was in my future. Since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to do pediatrics. I wanted to help make a difference in their lives. Whatever that may be. Then when all the stuff happened with Emma, I knew I needed to be a doctor. I'd chosen the right path.
I sigh, "I'm distracted."
She looks at me sheepishly, like she's afraid to speak, "Because of the wedding?"
"People know?" I ask.
She looks at me, confused, "Of course, people know. You try to be private but trust me, not everything is private."
"Is that why everyone is whispering?"
She shrugs, but I can tell she knows. "Just tell me, damn."
"They are saying the wedding was called off because you were sleeping with the bride's best friend."
My mouth goes dry, and I can't feel anything but absolute rage. The town is small, but it's not that small. Not to mention that it's a fucking lie.
"Dr. Blackwood?" A voice slips into the silence from behind, and I turn to see what's up. "Little girl just came in. Age 6, car accident. Can you hurry and scrub in?"
I turn off my thoughts and nod. When I get to the Operating room, I feel all the air sucked from my lungs when I look down on that metal table and see Ellie.
It's Ellie.
CHAPTER 23
KARLY
I stare into Hanna’s blue eyes and cry harder, “I’m so sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I never meant for any of this to happen.”
She pulls me away from her body, “This is my fault. I should’ve never asked you to get involved in this mess.”