Page 142 of The Widower
“He… well, he refuses to do the exercises. Won’t look at me, won’t talk, and he’s been dropping weights on purpose.”
“Can I have a moment alone with him? Maybe I can get through to him somehow, I don’t know.”
“Of course, whatever you think is best.”
I stepped into the room we’d be using for therapy.
Colin sat in his wheelchair, staring out the mansion window without blinking.
I walked closer, but he didn’t move his eyes.
“I need you to do the exercises.” I rested my hand gently over his, and he immediately pulled it away.
“Colin, please.”
For the first time, he looked straight at me, his eyes burning with anger.
I couldn’t truly understand the pain he was going through—everyone fights their demons differently—but it was clear he wasn’t okay.
“Isabelle… get out,” he muttered through clenched teeth.
“I will—but first, you’re doing the exercises the therapist gave you,” I said firmly.
“Get out!” His voice rose, fury twisting his features.
“Colin, I told you, I’m not leaving until—”
“Get the hell out!” he shouted, jerking in his chair.
“I’m not going anywhere! You’re doing everything the therapist says, and I’ll be right here to make sure of it!” I stomped my foot, refusing to back down.
It was hard for me too—but I’d go to the ends of the earth to help him heal.
“I’m not doing a fucking thing!You hear me?!”
“Oh, yes you are! You’ve helped me and my family more times than I can count, and now it’s my turn to do something for you.I don’t care if you curse me out or hate me for it. If that makes it easier for you, then fine—hate me. But you will do every single exercise.”
Colin grabbed something beside him and hurled it against the wall, shattering it.
“If you wanna act like a sulking child, that’s your problem.It doesn’t faze me.”
“I hate you, Isabelle! I hate you so damn much!”
“And I love you… so damn much.”
My eyes filled with tears as I said the words, but I forced myself to stay strong.
Colin’s expression stayed furious; he turned his head sharply away.
“You’re gonna get through this, Colin.You can bet on it.”
I walked out of the room.
I’d said too much—laid myself bare—and now I had no idea what effect telling him I loved him like that would have on his mind…
I thought that as the days went by, Colin would start coming back to himself and finally do the exercises the physical therapist had prescribed—but that wasn’t what happened.
“Unfortunately, he’s still refusing to do them. He’s really weak. I don’t know what else to do, Isabelle.”
