Chapter 4: Served

"No," I said.

I had never said that word to Perry in five years.

It came out small, and he heard it anyway.

His hand slid off my wrist onto the blanket.

"What did you say?"

"I said no. I won't do wish ninety-one."

His mother turned from the window. "Jo, he's been through enough today."

"I know. I'm the one who called the ambulance."

"Mom," Perry said. "Give us a minute."

She looked at me for a long moment before she left the room.

Perry waited until the door clicked.

"I thought we had a deal," he said.

His voice was gentle, and his eyes were wet.

"I'm not asking you to hurt him. I'm asking you to stop hurting him. He leaves you a ring and a note, and you're still sitting here."

"He's my husband."

"He's a man who walked out on you the first time you put somebody else first."

"That's not what happened."

"Isn't it?" Perry smiled sadly. "I'm only trying to look after you, Jo. Like you looked after me."

Something cold went through my chest, and it stayed.

I stood up.

"Eat something," I said. "Take your next session. I'll come Thursday."

"Is that a yes?"

"It's Thursday."

I walked out past his mother in the corridor and did not say goodbye.

Keep reading free with an account. Start Ninety-Nine Wishes, One Broken Marriage from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.