Page 59 of Fractured

I turn to Ava to inform her I’m planning to head over to Kat’s table to say hello. Instead of remaining with the older physician whose name I’ve already forgotten, she waves her goodbyes to come along with me. As I approach the table, I see Jake and Melanie look my way with a pensive smile.

“Hi. Don’t know why it didn’t dawn on me you guys might be here.” I direct to the table. I walk around to where Jake is standing to offer my hand.

“Hey, Nick. Good to see you.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Have you all met, Ava?” I start to introduce Ava to Kat, as she’s standing beside her, but then I recall Ava knows practically everyone who works at St. Luke’s. I remember my manners and decide to introduce her to Melanie when I notice Ava is looking toward the front entrance. Waiting for her to break eye contact with whatever she’s fixated on, I stand quietly, observing her for a second. Her stare doesn’t waver, so I follow her line of vision to see what has her so fascinated.

As if someone has announced their arrival, I watch as all heads turn in the direction of Sebastian Lee and his stunning date as they enter the ballroom. It’s as if their entrance is choreographed. They look like royalty as they approach. He’s wearing a designer tuxedo with a black bow tie and looking as smug as ever. On his arm is a blonde, attracting the attention of men and women alike as she glides across the room. Her hair’s been carefully woven into an artful chignon, displaying her long, delicate neck. Expensive diamonds draped about it reflect the lighting in the grand space. I feel my jaw tighten as they approach.

“Ah, if it isn’t Dr. Nicholas Barnes. Fancy meeting you here.” I observe as he takes in the people standing around the small cocktail table. “What, no date this evening, Nick?” I watch as he eyes Katarina, who’s standing across from me, silently observing this spectacle next to Ava.

“Bas,” I return, even more annoyed than usual at his interference in my life. I’m decidedly not dignifying his question with an answer.

“I believe you know my date?” Bas announces proudly.

Turning to the woman on his arm, I offer a clipped greeting. “Hello, Sophia.”

Chapter Twenty

Nick

I knew it was only a matter of time before I’d be confronted with the two of them as a couple. I’m not sure why it never crossed my mind it could happen here. My thoughts of Katarina hadn’t allowed room to contemplate anyone else. Obviously, I’m over Sophia. I’m more upset with him most days than her. Strange givenshemade vows to me, not Sebastian.

Realizing we’ve all been standing here silent, metaphorical crickets chirping at this uncomfortable situation, I decide to take myself out of the equation. “I’m headed to the bar. Excuse me.” Making the briefest of eye contact with Kat before I depart, I turn and head into the crowd.I need a fucking drink.

I scan the area for a bar a safe distance from the museum’s entrance. I don’t need anyone coming after me to talk. Not Bas, not Sophia, not even Kat. I just need some space from this shitshow.

“Scotch?” The bartender quickly pours and slides the crystal tumbler in my direction. I take a sip before even stepping from the bar. I turn and take in the setting, trying to spot somewhere other than the men’s room I can go to be alone. I notice someone coming in from a side door. It’s probably the smoker’s area, but who gives a fuck. Cold, smoky air beats the stench of this place.

Frigid air hits me as I walk toward the balcony railing. I take another sip of the amber liquid and enjoy the burn. Looking into the dark abyss of the night’s sky, I see flashes of a time long ago, beginning medical school right down this very road. I started school with staunch determination. Nervous but driven, I rarely did anything social as my head was always in the books. I remained at the top of my class, with Sebastian always heavy on my heels.

At first, I didn’t know what to make of the cocky, arrogant classmate who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He came from money and had no trouble flaunting it. I came from a very modest upbringing. This only spurred on my desire to be number one. There was an innate need to show money can’t buy everything.

But as the years passed by, we realized we had more in common than we wanted to admit. We both craved a challenge. Our teen years hadn’t gone as we’d hoped. I looked for solace in my grades and career, and Bas seemed to look for it in his independence. He was chasing a dream at the cost of his family’s wealth and his inheritance.

By our senior year, we’d become as tight as college friends could be. We continued to compete against one another in almost every setting. It didn’t matter. Darts, grades, girls. But it was all in fun. I knew he had my back, and I had his. I’ve never let anyone else in since Sebastian. Since that betrayal.

When I started dating Sophia, I suspected Sebastian was equally interested. I’m honestly not sure why she chose me, given he had more money. I think it was his reputation. Bas had always been a love ’em and leave ’em kinda guy. He was too focused on his future and making a name for himself to consider committing to someone else. Who’s to say if a relationship with Sophia would’ve changed that, but for whatever reason, she seemed to be more interested in me at the time, and I wasn’t complaining. She was and still is one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met. Physically that is. Any man would be crazy not to find her attractive. Plus, she knows how to lay on the charm. After years of dating Sophia, I thought she’d make a good wife and mother. It was just the next step in this thing called life. But after meeting Kat, it’s clear what I felt for Sophia is quite different than my current emotional turmoil. There was never the heart-wrenching need to be with Sophia. She certainly never gave me a panic attack, even when she was leaving. Any anxiety I felt was purely at the hands of her betrayal.

I take a larger sip from my glass, needing the scald of the liquor to distract from the sting of my past. I look into the expensive liquid and remember a time when Sophia and I barely had two pennies to rub together. I would’ve never guessed the relentlessly greedy bitch she’d become. Looking back, there were subtle signs along the way. I just didn’t want to face it.

From the beginning, the wedding was over the top. Thankfully, her parents had prepared for her rich taste as my father didn’t have that kind of money. I certainly wasn’t taking out a loan for a wedding on top of my mounting medical school debt. Once we were married, she seemed to stay within a budget. Or so I thought. Then the credit card bills started arriving. Though this persisted, I decided it wasn’t worth fighting about. I made a moderate salary as a resident and moonlighting at Urgent Care centers, but there were still bills to pay. I planned to pay off the debt once I was working full-time as a surgeon. I’d hoped to get her on a budget later. Plus, Sophia always seemed to support my long hours during residency. She never complained. In hindsight, I wondered if she preferred my absence.

I’ve realized over the last year, things seemed to change almost immediately following the wedding. The three of us still spent a great deal of time together, but Sophia didn’t have the starry-eyed romanticism she’d displayed during our engagement. I could tell she was pulling away, but I assumed it was boredom or resentment as she spent so much time home alone. I’d frequently come home to find she’d already retired for the evening or a note saying she was out with the girls. We had a good sex life, or so I thought. I recognize now it isn’t the hot, earth-shattering sex I have with Kat. But as I said, Sophia is stunning. I’m a man. Sex with a gorgeous woman was enough. I never suspected it was lacking. Maybe she did.

I question now whether those nights out with the girls were reallywith the girls. I’ve never had a formal confrontation with Sebastian regarding their affair. It was easier to just walk away from both of them. However, the betrayal by my friend and confidant was somehow worse than the woman who vowed to commit only to me. If she’d taken up with some random stranger, I don’t think the divorce would’ve been nearly as painful. There were additional complex questions regarding their affair I knew I’d probably never have answers to. But that bitter pill was too big to swallow with this highball.

Polishing off the remainder of my drink, I chase the burn of the scotch with a deep inhale of the cool night air. I’ve sulked long enough. I’m not interested in participating in this meet and greet any longer. I need to give my goodbyes to Ava and try to soothe the ache of my past with a sweet smile from Kat before I depart.

Walking through the crowded space, I see Ava up ahead with Justin. I know he’s no longer a fan of mine but decide to be polite and greet them and advise Ava I’m heading out. As I approach, I notice Jake and Melanie still standing at the bar table where I’d originally seen them. But Kat’s no longer there. After giving Ava a quick goodbye, I head in their direction.

“Hey. Sorry, I had to step away like that. I didn’t mean to be so rude.”

“It’s okay, man, we understand,” Jake says, giving me an almost knowing swat about my upper arm.

“Is Kat out dancing?” I ask, knowing I’m probably not hiding my smile well.

“No. You just missed her,” Melanie offers, looking forlorn.

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