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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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."

corners of his lips. "Well, if anyone

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quiet type, never pushing too hard

ו

out the

blur past as we neared the medical organization. My heart raced, though I tried my best to hide it.

me**, her energy brushing against my

and concerned.

awfully quiet," Issca

but filled with

kept his eyes on the

he was watching

vision, trying to read

unspoken tension.

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though I wasn't sure if it convinced either of us. "Just a

I replied, keeping my tone light,

nodded, but I saw the 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 when I was hiding something. Still, he

did.

my stomach twist into knots. The building loomed in front of us, sterile and

a place of answers, and

could

the car and turned to me,

soft but probing. "Are you

Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in

3

want me to come in with you?" he asked

question hanging in the air. Part of me wanted to say yes, to have him by my side. But the other part-the stronger, more determined part-knew this was something

that

be fine," I said, my voice

truth. "It's just a routine checkup, like I

studied me for a moment

"Alright. But I'll

small smile before opening

through the doors and into the lobby. The sterile

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