Page 21 of Ma Belle Marguerite
Taking her phone, I save my number and text myself quickly so I have her number in case she decides not to text me later. I know her too well. She will make me wait too long. I could justhave Josh get her number, but this way will probably be less overwhelming for her.
“There you go. Call or text me any time of the day or night if you need anything. I’m always here for you, no matter what.” I need her to understand that, as stubborn as she is, I’m not going anywhere. We may have never said the vows ‘till death do us part,’ but I feel this in my heart.
Putting her phone back in her bag, she leans and kisses me quickly before walking to the door. Just as I think she will leave without a word, she turns and says, “I’ll see you later. Thank you.” Then she rushes through the door before I can answer.
I feel like I’ve been used. I don’t know if that was her intention as a sort of payback for all the time she thought I left her or not, but it still hurts. I have waited years for her, and I know this is all so confusing, but does she not love me at all anymore? Hopefully, it will be longer and in my bed where she belongs next time, where I can show her how much I missed her and love her.
There’s a knock at my door. “One minute,” I yell. I’m still lying here naked. I quickly pull the blankets over me. “Come in.”
The door opens, and I see the doctor peeking around looking nervous. “Is it okay to come in? I have good news.”
“Make it quick.” Taking my frustration out on him is easier than trying to process all these feelings. Besides, he isn’t my Bella, so I don’t want to see him.
Cautiously, he steps into the room and stays close to the door.Smart man.“You have been doing well and not needing any pain medication. So we will send you home as long as you promise to have your family doctor follow up.”
“Done. How soon can I leave?” If I wasn’t naked, I’d already be getting out of this bed.
Clearing his throat, he says, “We can process the discharge papers now. Shouldn’t take more than half an hour.”
“Make it fifteen. You can go.” I look for my phone to text D or Josh to come and get me as the doctor scurries out the door. I can’t get out of here fast enough. I want my own bed, preferably with Bella in it. I know that won’t be right away, but I don't care.
Just as I pick up my phone to send a message, it rings. “D, everything okay?”Please say nothing else has gone wrong in the last twelve hours. I don’t know how much more I can handle.
“Yes, boss, I’m just calling to say that I’m on my way to get you. The hospital just notified me that you’re being released. The sooner the better they said. Is there anything you need on my way in?” D is always on top of things. My father tried to poach him from me, but he is loyal and stayed by my side.
I think for a moment, “Actually, grab me a change of clothes, please. I don’t want to leave here in sweats.” While at home, I love lounging around, but in public I prefer to be dressed for the position–suit and tie as uncomfortable as they are.
D says, “I already have your go bag in your truck. You have a change of clothes in there. Is there anything else?” I can hear the revving of the truck's engine in the background.
“No, I’m good. Just come straight to me when you get here,” I tell him. I have business to take care of so I can spend time showing Bella why she needs to come back to me.
“Got it, boss, see you in ten.” D hangs up.
I’m anxious to get home and figure out who discovered my secret stash of weapons and stole them, but I have enjoyed my visits fromMa Belle Marguerite.Bittersweet.
Chapter 9
Isabella
Once I make it to my desk, I pull out my phone only to see that Rex not only saved his number under the name “Future Husband,” but he texted himself, saying, “Cannot wait to see you again xoxo.” That is presumptuous of him. I quickly change his name to Rex and delete the message, just in case the twins use my phone. I do not want to explain this to them just yet.
He’s still as dorky as ever. That gets me thinking, though. He said he hadn’t been with anyone in years. Was he just saying thatbecause he felt that was what I wanted to hear? I don’t want to think about him with anyone else. I will end up overthinking it if I don’t stop myself.
I know it isn’t fair since I was with someone else, but I don’t care. We were each other's firsts and supposed to be each other's last. If Rex can be a possessive asshole, why can’t I? I never said that I’m not selfish when it comes to love.
Wait, he said years, not since I left. That means he has been with at least one other woman. What was she like? Did she look like me? Or even worse, did she looknothinglike me? How long was he with her? I wonder if Camille or Giselle know who this bitch was? Fuck, here I go overthinking again.
I hear sirens approaching. It’s time to get my mind back on task: work now, Rex later.
I hear banging in the main room. I look out to see the paramedics bringing in someone on a stretcher. It’s like deja vu.
There’s so much blood, and someone is sitting on the patient doing CPR. I can’t look. I need to sit down. My chest tightens, and I can’t catch my breath. My heart feels like it is going to pound right out of my chest and my hands feel sweaty and hot. Why is this happening again? The walls around me feel like they are closing in.
I barely make it to a chair as I feel light-headed. I can’t do this. My breaths feel more like a gasp and cause my chest to hurt.
“Bella!” I hear my name, but it sounds like I’m underwater. Everything is a blur as I feel myself floating.Why am I floating?
The next thing I know, I feel like I’m lying on a hard, lumpy surface. As I try to move, I feel something—no, someone—behind me. Opening my eyes, I see I’m lying on a stretcher in the emergency department, and Rex is behind me. Where did he come from?
