Page 146 of The Widower
“She brought you back.” His finger jabbed hard into my chest, snapping my attention to him. “That woman in the goddamn kitchen, running back and forth, calling other physical therapists, tracking down psychologists to help your employees who went into shock, taking care of the kids, crying every single day because she can’t find a way to help you, dealing with the fact that Hanna’s father died messing with the wrong people, blaming herself for you being tortured just because she works for you… You know what? That woman’s doing everything on her own. Everything! And you know what you’re doing? Nothing!”
He shook his head, frustrated. “Actually, scratch that—you are doing something, Colin. You’re doing every damn thing wrong. You’re pushing her to the edge, breaking Isabelle bit by bit! Is that what you want? To be one more burden for her to carry? Because honestly, I don’t doubt she can handle it—but what if she can’t? How are you gonna sleep at night knowing the woman who loves you couldn’t take your tantrums anymore?And before you say anything, no one told me she loves you. I just have to look in her eyes when you’re around. It’s that obvious.”
I started trembling, and then I broke down crying.
I hadn’t expected that kind of brutal reality check—and I had no idea what to say. I was weak, too weak to even try harder, always giving up so damn easily.
“I’m not gonna coddle you,” Henry said firmly.“You’ve got a choice to make, and you’d better make it fast. Time’s running out, and if you don’t do something, the damage will be permanent. Stop living in the past and focus on the present, or, my friend…” —he paused, his voice lower, heavier— “you’re gonna regret the future waiting for you.”
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
I had no idea what Colin and Henry had talked about a few days earlier, but for the next three days, Colin actually pushed himself to do the exercises. Then, on the fourth day... he just refused to keep trying.
I’d seen his effort. For three straight days, he was focused, serious, doing everything that was asked of him. But something broke inside him—and I knew exactly what it was: lack of progress.
He was stuck in the same place, and I saw the light in his eyes fade, replaced by a growing darkness.
I honestly didn’t know what else to do. I was reaching my limit, and it hurt to know he was like this because he’d tried to help us. Help me.
Colin didn’t want to talk to anyone. He kept isolating himself more and more each day. The only people he exchanged a few words with were Joshua and Hanna. I was sure he’d grown tired of me—after all, I’d turned into the most annoying woman alive, practically his babysitter. Giving him space hadn’t helped, so I kept trying, again and again… but now, I felt completely powerless.
I brought him his meal, and Colin didn’t even look at me. He looked exhausted, sad, frustrated.
“The physical therapist’s coming again today,” I said, not really expecting him to answer.
Silence.
“I asked him to try something new. I don’t know, maybe a different exercise—something that might be easier for you.”
Laughter.
That was the sound I heard after finishing my sentence.
“What’s so funny?”
“My life’s a joke. It’s become one.”
“Try doing the exercises and don’t give up, it’s just—”
“I… can’t. I’ve tried everything… but I just can’t do it.” His voice started out firm, then trailed off into a whisper.
He buried his face in his hands and took a deep breath.
I might not understand the pain he was going through, but I knew he’d tried in his own way to get better. Still, what I’d learned over these past days was that if I wanted Colin to persist in anything, I had to push him—or show him exactly what he stood to lose in the long run.
This was my last shot. I’d have to go hard on him. Unfortunately, Colin needed to hear some truths—and I was going to be the one to say them.It was for his own good.
“Today’s a new day. You’re going to give your best and do everything that’s asked of you.”
“Isabelle…”
“And if you need to, you’ll do extra rounds of exercises.”
“I’m not going to—”
“And I’ll personally make sure you don’t quit!”I snapped, cutting him off again.
“For fuck’s sake! I can’t!”
