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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"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."

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

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the road, the steady hum filling the silence between us. He'd always been the quiet type, never pushing too hard or asking too many

ו

out the window,

organization. My heart raced, though

me**, her energy brushing

and concerned.

awfully quiet,"

but filled

kept his eyes

tell he was watching me in

trying to

unspoken tension.

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if it convinced either

replied, keeping my tone

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

did.

the parking lot of the medical organization, I felt my stomach twist into knots. The

It was a place of answers, and

could feel was

car and turned

probing. "Are you sure

Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in

3

in with you?" he asked

the 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

that

be fine," I said, my voice

it was the truth. "It's just a routine

studied me for a

I'll be

smile before opening the door and stepping out into the crisp

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

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