His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter 31

medical organization tomorrow, for a

Issca's voice was calm, and it soothed me like a balm on a wound. I forced a smile, wanting to appear stronger than I felt. "I'm okay, just... processing everything. Perhaps, I need to trouble you to send me to a medical checkup...... because I haven't got my car back yet."

Issca nodded, understanding the weight of what I had been through. He looked

around my kitchen, taking in the mess of papers and the half-eaten sandwich on the counter. "You've been busy, I see."

"Yeah, just trying to figure things out," I replied, avoiding his gaze.

Issca leaned against the counter, arms

crossed. His brow furrowed in confusion.

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

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31

"How are you holding up?"

I paused, glancing down at the papers

again. "I've been through worse, Issca. Much worse. And I've survived."

He sat down across from me, studying my

face. "You look... different," he finally said.

"

"Lighter, maybe."

I smiled, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "I feel different. It's strange, but now

that the lawsuit's over and Nathan's... well,

out of the picture, I feel like I can breathe

again."

I met his gaze, determination flooding my

chest. "I'm sure. I've wasted enough time. It's time to move on."

slowly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Well, if anyone can do it, it's you,

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31

He'd always been the quiet type, never pushing too hard or asking too many

ו

out the window,

organization. My heart raced, though I tried my

me**, her energy brushing against my mind, both

and concerned.

awfully quiet," Issca

low but filled with a

kept his eyes

tell he was watching me in

trying to read

unspoken tension.

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wasn't sure if it

I replied, keeping my tone light,

way his brow furrowed ever so slightly. He didn't believe me, and deep down, I knew I couldn't blame him. He'd known me long enough to recognize

did.

lot of the medical organization, I felt my stomach twist into knots. The building loomed in front of us, sterile and imposing,

place of answers,

could

and turned to me,

but probing. "Are you sure

Knees, His Pleas, But

3

want me to come in with you?" he

by my side. But the other part-the stronger, more determined part-knew this was something I had to

that

I

I wasn't sure if it was the truth. "It's just a routine checkup, like I

me for

But I'll be here when

I offered him a small smile before opening the

through the doors and into the lobby. The sterile scent of antiseptic hit me instantly,

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