Chapter 46
Anna
After Ian opened the door, I heard footsteps moving toward the lounge. My heart leapt before my mind even caught up… and then I saw them.
“Tatum?” I breathed. “Chloe?”
My face lit up as they moved toward me. “This is a nice surprise,” I said, my voice cracking just a little.
“Anna,” Chloe said, already bending down to wrap me in a careful hug.
“I’m so happy to see you,” Tatum added, squeezing my hand.
“Me too,” I whispered, overwhelmed.
Chloe leaned back, studying my face. “A month,” she said. “You’ve been here a whole month and we’re only finding out now?”
“How did you even find out?” I asked.
“We were at your dad’s place,” Chloe said. “He mentioned you’re living with Dr. Collins.” Her forehead creased. “Anna… what’s going on?”
“It just…happened,” I said, the words feeling too small for the truth.
“And over all our texts you didn’t say a thing?” Tatum asked.
“I didn’t know how to tell you.”
Chloe stared at me, disbelief flickering across her face. “How could you not know how to tell us?”
“I thought it would be better in person,” I said quietly.
She exhaled. “Now I regret not coming sooner. I wanted to visit, but I was traveling for work—and you know Tatum refuses to come alone.”
“Facts,” Tatum muttered.
Chloe’s expression sharpened. “So what exactly is this arrangement with Dr. Collins? He’s…looking after you at his place?”
“No.” I lifted my hand slightly. “It’s more than that.”
Their eyes followed the movement. The ring caught the light.
The room went still.
Chloe blinked. “Wait. No. This—this is insane.” Her gaze darted between me and the hallway. “Are you engaged? Anna, is this a joke?”
“It’s not,” I said evenly. “We’re in love.”
Something flickered in her eyes—concern sliding into suspicion. “This just feels…strange. A cold, untouchable doctor who’s never been linked to anyone suddenly proposes?” She rushed to add, “Not that there’s anything wrong with you—you’re incredible. But this feels eerie.”
Her voice dropped. “You’re here because you want to be, right? He’s not controlling you? He’s not some kind of…”
“Stop.”
The word came out calmer than I felt, but firm.
“I chose him,” I said. “No one forced me into anything.”
She hesitated, then took my hand anyway. “Anna, if there’s anything you’re not saying…”
Even Tatum looked uneasy now. “It’s just…sudden,” she said softly. “You just got out of a marriage. We were at your wedding not long ago. And then the coma….”
This doesn’t add up.”
She swallowed, then blurted, “Is he sleeping with you? “I mean—he’s in a position of authority. It wouldn’t be hard to…”
“Oh my God,” I cut in, exhaustion flooding my chest. “You two.”
I drew in a slow breath. “You know what? I’m suddenly grateful Ian didn’t give in when I asked him to make love to me.” I laughed weakly, shaking my head. “Because hearing this now…these assumptions…they’re draining.”
My voice wavered. “How could you even think that of him? I’m madly in love with him. I confessed first. I kissed first. And he stopped me—every time—because he wanted to be sure I was safe. That I was ready.”
Their faces softened, suspicion melting into something closer to understanding.
“We fell for each other while I was in the hospital,” I said. “And all he ever did was protect me.”
Chloe’s voice dropped. “Now that you say it…the way he looked at you. The way he cared.” She nodded slowly. “He did seem in love.”
Tears finally spilled over. “How could you think such horrible things about him?” I cried. “Ian is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Michael doesn’t even compare.”
Chloe’s face crumpled. “We’re sorry, Anna.”
“We just wanted to know you’re safe,” Tatum said, wrapping her arms around me carefully.
“We love you,” they said in unison.
I held onto them, my heart still aching—but lighter, steadier, certain.
Ian entered the lounge carrying a tray with tea and homemade cookies that his mom made. He set it down carefully on the table for Tatum and Chloe, giving them space to help themselves. Then he poured himself a cup, poured another for me, and reached over to hand it to me along with a biscuit.
His fingers brushed mine briefly, and I felt a jolt. His eyes met mine, soft and steady, full of love, protectiveness, a quiet reverence. I noticed Chloe and Tatum glancing between us, their expressions a mix of awe and amusement.
“Congratulations,” Chloe said, breaking the silence.
I glanced at Ian, who simply smiled, a hint of pride in the curve of his lips. “Thank you,” he said quietly, then handed me my phone. “Text me if you need anything. I’ll be in the room.”
Before he left, he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine, a soft, lingering kiss that made my heart skip. He straightened, gave me a reassuring smile, and stepped out, leaving the faint scent of his cologne behind.
“Oh my God,” Chloe breathed, her mouth falling open as she followed his retreating figure with her eyes.
“He is so in love with you, Anna,” she squealed.
“And so gorgeous,” Tatum added, her grin wide, eyes sparkling.
I felt my cheeks heat up, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Yeah,” I said softly, my hand brushing against the cup he’d poured for me. “I know.”
Chloe and Tatum exchanged a glance, a shadow of guilt crossing their faces. Chloe’s lips pressed into a thin line. “We… we really judged him too quickly, didn’t we?” she murmured.
Tatum nodded slowly, her usual enthusiasm tempered. “Yeah. We had no idea…and we almost made it worse for you, Anna.”
I shook my head, smiling faintly. “It’s okay. You didn’t know. Now you see the truth.”
“Does Michael know?” Chloe asked, tilting her head, eyes sharp.
“Yes,” I said, leaning back on the couch. “He actually came here…trying to win me back. Even threatened Ian that he’d take him to court.”
Chloe’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“Yes,” I confirmed. “He said he’d make sure Ian loses his license.” I let the words hang in the air, letting them absorb the absurdity.
Tatum frowned. “I don’t get his logic. He’s with Veronica, didn’t fight for you when he had the chance, and now that you’ve moved on, he acts like this?”
I shrugged, running a hand over my face. “I guess he assumed no one would go for me in this state. Honestly…it’s more ego than anything else.”
Chloe shook her head. “Yeah, that sounds like Michael. Big ego. Thinks the world revolves around him.”
“Exactly,” I said. “But I’m done with him. The betrayal…it cuts too deep. I can’t forgive him.”
“We agree,” Tatum said softly, her eyes reflecting a mix of sympathy and relief. “Maybe Veronica’s a better fit for him anyway.”
I smiled faintly, shaking my head. “I can see that now.”
Chloe picked up another cookie from the tray, nibbled, and smiled. “These are really good.”
“They’re Ian’s mom’s,” I said, watching her take a third. “She was sleeping over this weekend. Left a while ago.”
“You’ve met his mom already?” Tatum asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes,” I said. “She’s really nice. Warm. Funny.”
“That’s refreshing,” Chloe said with a soft laugh. “What about his dad?”
“Oh…he’s not really in the picture,” I replied. “I don’t ask much. I think his parents are divorced.”
Chloe glanced at her watch. “Well…I guess it’s about time for us to go.”
I pulled out my phone and quickly texted Ian to let him know.
Chloe and Tatum stood, stretching slightly, and came over to hug me. The warmth of their embrace made me smile. Ian appeared in the doorway, waiting for them.
“It was so nice seeing you, Anna,” Chloe said softly. “We’ll come visit again.”
“Oh, wait,” I called after them, my voice catching their attention. They turned back, curious.
“Will you be my bridesmaids again?”
Both of them came rushing back, hugging me tightly. “Of course we would!” Tatum said, smiling widely. “When’s the wedding?”
“In a month,” I said, shrugging slightly.
“What? So soon!” they said in perfect unison, a little disbelief in their voices.
“If I could marry her today, I would,” Ian interjected quietly from the doorway, a small smile tugging at his lips. “But I needed a little time…to give her the wedding she deserves.”
Chloe and Tatum exchanged a glance and smiled. “She deserves it,” Chloe said warmly. “See you soon, bestie.”
They waved, stepped out, and Ian followed them to the door, watching them leave.
When he returned, I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed him just being there. He plopped onto the couch beside me, his hand brushing mine.
“Thought they’d never leave,” he muttered with a grin. Then, without warning, he leaned over and kissed me.
I melted into it, the moment quiet except for the faint hum of the apartment around us—just the two of us, finally, without anyone else’s judgments or expectations weighing in.