Chapter 7: Times She Did

Adeline's POV

On the thirtieth day I woke at five and lay still, listening for the sound of Elias's key.

It was a stupid thing to do.

I had given his key to Preston myself.

For thirty days he had not called, not texted, not sent a single message to say he was sorry or that he was tired or that he had gone too far.

I had called him four times and hung up before it rang.

I told myself that was the strategy.

He always held out longer than I expected, and then he came home.

Today was the last day, and I had the whole speech ready for when he did.

At nine my phone rang, and it was Preston.

"Adeline," he said, and his voice was thin. "I fell on the stairs at my place. I think I broke something."

"Where are you?"

"I called the ambulance. Please come."

I looked at the clock.

The hearing was at ten.

I told myself it was only a signature, and that Elias would wait for me, because he always did.

I took the car keys and drove to the hospital with my hands tight on the wheel.

It was three minutes past ten when a nurse led me into a curtained bay.

Preston sat on the bed with his foot raised, his eyes red.

The doctor stood at the foot of the bed with a chart.

"No fracture," she told me. "It's a sprain. He needs rest and ice for a few days."

Preston caught my hand.

"Did you miss your appointment because of me?" he asked.

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