His Sacrifice, Her Cold Indifference

bruised and battered, shattered into even smaller fragments. My stomach churned, a cold wave of nausea washing over me

Mr. Knox. Chasing after her, paying all her medical bills, even when she disappeared for years." He gestured towards Julia, who was still tremblin

wled, his voice laced with venom. He pushed me slightly forward, almost as if pres

think you can play games with me? You think I won't take what's rightfully yours, Knox? If your little 'wife' is so important, m

ut, bracing for the impact. I felt Drake's arm around me shift, heard him curse under his breath, but it was t

nd swift, envelo

ull, throbbing ache. I opened my eyes slowly. Drake was there. He was sitting in a chair bes

fter he had thrown me to the wolves. I watched him, a cold, bitter certainty settling in my chest. He wasn't

rimmed and filled with a haunted look, locked onto mine. "You're awake. Thank God

ped slowly. "Chelsie, I... I'm so sorr

Drake? For abandoning me for Julia? For throwing me at that lunatic to save her? Fo

an, his voice strained. "I was trying to protect you both. Tha

er laugh escaping my lips. "And in the chaos, you found it easier to throw your actual wife to the wolves than face your past.

k him. "Chelsie, stop. You do

p, unresolved feelings that make me nothing more than a convenient distraction, a placeholder wife while you pine for her." I took a shaky breath, the pa

heart sank, a heavy stone in my chest. There it

Miller, please, you need to rest. Your wound is quite deep." She

. My vision swam. Then, Drake's hand reached out, not to touch my arm, but to gently cover my eyes. His touc

en I was hurting. My mind flashed back to that time, to his concern, his protection. A pai

g down my temple, lost in my hair. It wasn't a tear of pain

my recovery. He brought me flowers, read to me, even awkwardly tried to feed me soup. He looked haggard, his eyes shadowed with fatigue, but

thrown to the wolves. As he slept in the chair beside my bed, his hand resting lightly on mine, I reached for my phone, hidden be

ground, a bandaged arm. Text overlay: "Officially single and ready to mingle. The chains are off, lad

GIRL!!!!!! SO PROUD OF YOU! WE'RE CELEBRATING TONIGHT!" Other friends chimed in, a chorus of cheering e

usly, are you sure he'll let you go so easily? Dra

," I typed back. "He just doesn't know it yet." I wasn't