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

3

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."

at the corners of his lips. "Well,

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Pleas, But Our Son's in

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31

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always been the quiet type, never pushing too hard or asking too many questions. But today, I could feel the weight of his

ו

glanced out the

raced, though I tried my best

energy brushing against my mind,

and concerned.

awfully quiet," Issca

voice low but

He kept his eyes on the road,

tell he was

vision, trying to

unspoken tension.

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But Our

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31

forced a smile, though I wasn't sure if

keeping my tone

knew I couldn't blame him. He'd known me long enough to recognize when I was

did.

I felt my stomach twist into knots. The building loomed in front

It was a place

I could

and turned to me,

soft but probing. "Are you

But Our

3

want me to come in with you?" he asked

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 I had

that

be fine," I said, my voice

it was the truth. "It's

me for

"Alright. But I'll be here

a small smile before opening the

into the lobby. The sterile scent of antiseptic hit me

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