I lowered my gaze in silence.
Lucan’s voice dropped into a dangerous calm."Say it."
The doctor let out a slow breath,then said carefully,"There are signs of previous trauma—injuries consistent with long-term physical abuse."
The room fell still.Thick.Suffocating.
Lucan’s jaw flexed,his breathing shallow and sharp.A storm brewed in his eyes.
Without another word,he turned abruptly,storming for the door.
I reached out instinctively and grabbed his wrist."Lucan!"
He stopped in his tracks,his back still facing me.His entire body was tense,his rage barely contained—and I knew it was not directed at me,but at Lennon.
"Don’t…"I whispered,my voice cracking."He’s not worth it."
Slowly,he turned and pulled me into his arms with such urgency that I could hardly breathe.
"Meredith,"he ground out my name,his voice trembling with emotion he was trying so hard to suppress."How am I supposed to just endure this?"
I pressed my face against his chest.My tears soaked into his shirt as he held me tighter.
He took a long,shaky breath.Then,gently,he ran his hand along my back and whispered,"All right.I won’t go."