Page 36 of A Prescription to My Heart

What did I just say?

Camille’s gaze sharpens. "And who are you?"

It takes everything in me to keep my voice steady. "I’m… Soren’s wife, ma’am. Talia. We just got married a few weeks ago."

The moment stretches unbearably. I don’t know who’s more shocked—Soren, his in-laws, or me.

But to his credit, Soren recovers fast.

"That’s right," he says smoothly, leaning back in his chair as though this entire situation isn’t unraveling in real-time. "I was going to tell you, but wanted to do it properly."

"But… but—" Camille sputters. "How can this be?"

Just as Soren opens his mouth to answer, a sharp knock on the doorframe cuts through the tension.

A nurse appears behind Camille and Patrick.

"Dr. Calloway, Marigold is asking for you."

Soren rises immediately. "I’ll be right there." He looks to his in-laws, his face carefully controlled. "As much as I’d love to sit down and explain further, I have to go to my daughter. We can discuss this later."

Camille and Patrick exchange a look. Their expressions are tight.

"Of course," Patrick says. "But we’d like to see Marigold before we leave."

Soren doesn’t hesitate. "Fine."

I follow silently as he leads them back to the ward. My hands are clammy, my pulse still racing. I can’t believe what I just said. What I justdid.

Soren doesn’t look at me. His posture is straight, his steps even, but I can feel the tension rolling off him.

Inside the ward, Marigold brightens immediately when she sees who has arrived. "Grandma! Grandpa!"

Camille’s entire demeanor softens. She rushes to the bed, her hands cradling Marigold’s face as she fusses over her. Patrick stands behind her, quieter but still doting, asking how Marigold feels, if she’s in pain, if she needs anything.

Marigold reassures them a dozen times that she’s fine, but they linger, pressing kisses to her forehead, promising to visit again soon.

Finally, they leave.

Without a word to Soren, and without so much as a glance at me.

The moment the door shuts behind them, silence fills the room. Soren turns to me, his gaze unreadable. But when he asks to speak to me in private, I follow quickly into the hall.

“Dad?” Marigold asks.

“I’ll be right back, Goldie.”

“Okay…” Her eyes are huge with curiosity as she watches us leave.

In the hall, Soren’s voice is quiet, but there’s an edge to it.

"Were you serious?"

I square my shoulders, meeting his gaze. "Yes."

I hesitate, then exhale. No turning back now. “I’ve thought about it, and it’s your best option.”

He recovers quickly, pushing the file aside. “When can we do it?”

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