"I had another nightmare about Marilyn. She broke into our home and smashed everything."
Miles soothed her patiently, though his brow furrowed deeper with each word.
"It's okay, baby. Don't be scared. I'm coming home right now."
"I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."
He hung up, set the X-ray films on the bench beside me, and shoved a bank card into my hand. Then he turned and bolted toward the hospital exit.
I sat there, watching his figure disappear, and finally looked away.
For the next week, Miles never came back.
No calls. No messages. As if I had never existed in his world at all.
The doctor came by every day for rounds, asking why my family hadn't visited. I just shook my head and told him not to worry about it.
I changed my own bandages. Fed myself. Gritted my teeth through the pain every time I turned over in bed.
Slowly, something in me settled into place.
A man like Miles. A relationship built on lies and betrayal. It wasn't worth another moment of my time—and certainly not worth my tears.
The day I was discharged, the sky hung low and gray.
I slipped the bracelet off my wrist and left it in the doctor's office.
"Please give this to Miles Gilbert."