Page 37 of Missing Marcus

“Yes,youdid,” she choked out. “You mentioned how thankful you felt we didn’t have children. You needn’t be concerned about this one. I refuse to allow this child to become a victim of yours.”

“I want to stay involved in yours and the baby’s life,” he assured her. “I want to come to doctor appointments and help you.”

“I needed my husband. It’s too late. You showed me your true colors,” she yelled.

“Gabrielle. Remember the baby.” Knight stepped closer. “I’m sorry.”

Gabby shook her head and laughed. “You’re sorry? I’ve wracked my brain for months trying to figure out what I did to cause you to lose faith in me. I was your best friend, your wife and lover. You became my world, and I watched you spin up, knowing you saved someone in peril. Do you know what else I discovered?”

Knight’s eyes filled with tears as he moved closer to her. She stepped backward until the wall behind her blocked her from going farther. His hand cupped her cheek as his thumb swiped away a rogue tear. “I’ll make it up to you,” he promised.

She shook her head. “You can’t erase the last seven months. I’ll never forget the nights I spent going over our time together, wondering what I’d done to cause your reaction. How you treated me at the lawyer’s office, taking away the life we built together and keeping it for yourself. I didn’t want you to take me home after the hospital because I didn’t want you to see how I lived. After all, you took everything from us.” She covered her baby bump as if to protect the unborn child from him.

He cringed, recalling how he’d done everything to hurt her for something she’d never done. He never gave her time to explain, yet did she really need to if he fully trusted her?

“I’ll make this go away. I’ll call off the divorce. We can start fresh here, where we wanted to build our family,” he pleaded.

She shook her head and closed her eyes. “No. I want you to go,” she whispered.

“I want to stayeven if I sleep in the room next door. We need to work this out. Think of the child…”

“I have been for seven months!” Gabby shoved him and pounded on his chest with her tiny fists. “You don’t get it. I don’t want you here. You betrayed me. All this time, you answer to ‘Knight’ as your moniker. You went out into the world, saving everyone, yet you weren’t my knight in shining armor when I needed you the most. Go. Just go. Please,” she begged.

Knight slowly backed up, his gaze never leaving hers as they both cried. He swallowed down the urge to howl like a wild animal as the pain ripped through him, shredding him to pieces. Did she feel the same way? Or did he finally push her far enough away to where she felt only the cold numbness he experienced over last year and a half? He never should’ve accepted the assignment. The moment he signed on the dotted line, his relationship changed with the one person he loved the most.

“Gabby?” he rushed toward her. As she fell toward him, her eyes rolled back into her head. What had he done?

23

Knight paced the emergency room hall as the doctors and nurses went in and out of the cubicle. No one said a word as Bryanna brushed past him, and he caught a glimpse of her holding Gabby’s hand and murmuring encouraging words. He should’ve been the one at her side. Yet, he lost the privilege when he tore her to shreds.

His phone rang and he distractedly picked it up. “Knight,” he answered.

“Hello. Marcus, this is Elsie Graham from Coastal Realty. I wanted to call you to review an offer on your home. Do you have a few minutes?”

Knight glanced back to the room where Gabby lay, most likely frightened, but after this evening, he knew she’d refuse any comfort from him. Kassie called in an OBGYN and now he waited for any news.

“Yes. What do you have?” he asked while he watched for any indication he might see her.

“Two couples placed a bid and ended up in a bidding war. You have an offer twenty-five percent higher than your asking price. The couple wants to take immediate possession. They’re paying in cash. The upgrades done on your home proved a great investment. I can have the inspection done tomorrow and start the paperwork immediately,” she announced happily.

“Yeah, it sounds great. Thank you. Please let me know when I need to fly to California for the signing,” Knight requested.

“I’ll email you the contracts, which need your signature. I’ll call you tomorrow after the inspection to let you know what date we can set forthe closing.”

“Perfect, thank you.” He disconnected the call. Knight put the house on the market and Gabby’s little touches to make it a home sold it. Kassie exited the cubicle and approached him.

“Gabrielle asked me to share her medical condition with you. She’s spotting. I’m keeping her here to ensure she stays stress free. The OBGYN performed an examination, and the baby appears fine. We must keep her calm. Do you understand?” Kassie gazed at him with a mixture of compassion and an imaginary sign flashed ‘stupid idiot’ across her forehead, showing her true feelings.

He nodded. “May I see her? I won’t upset her, I promise.”

Kassie shook her head. “Gabrielle has requested no visitors. Why don’t you go home with Bryanna and Saint? I received permission to keep you posted and will call you with any news. Things always appear brighter in the morning. Why don’t you get some rest?”

He raked his hands over his faceas if he could rest when she lay in bed, hurting from his actions.

Saint clutched his shoulder. “Come on, man. It’s time to let Gabby rest. She’s in great hands here,” he assured Knight.

He stared at the curtain, willing Gabby to call for him. He wanted to see her for himself. Knowing he lost the right, the fight drained from him as he slowly nodded. He turned to Kassie. “Will you call me if she needs anything?”

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