Chapter 48
Anna
The physiotherapist had barely left when the doorbell rang again. Zelda answered it, and moments later she appeared at my bedroom door.
“Nancy and Nora are here.”
My face lit up. I adjusted the blanket over my legs and wheeled myself toward the elevator. As the doors opened downstairs, Nora’s voice rang out immediately.
“Wait—hold on,” she said, eyes wide. “You have an elevator in your house? That is ridiculously cool.”
I smiled and lifted my hand, letting the ring catch the light. Both of them noticed at once.
Nancy froze, her eyes filling as she signed, I’m so happy for you.
Nora laughed softly and squeezed my shoulder.
She was fluent in sign language too—she’d learned it years ago, back when Nancy lost her voice, refusing to let silence break their friendship.
They’d been inseparable since primary school, one of the few people who never walked away when everything changed.
“I want to show you something,” I said. “Come stand in front of me.”
Nancy frowned slightly but stepped closer, positioning herself just in front of my wheelchair. I placed my hands on the armrests and engaged my core, lifting myself just enough to hover—no standing, no steps—just control.
Her eyes widened immediately.
The moment I settled back into the chair, she signed quickly, “Your balance is better.”
“Yes,” I nodded. “The physio’s been working with me on strength and posture. I can hold myself up for about thirty seconds now.”
“That’s huge,” she signed firmly. “That’s real progress.”
Her expression shifted, curiosity creeping in. “Does Dr. Collins know?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. I want to surprise him when it’s more consistent. Maybe when I can transfer on my own without help.”
Nancy smiled knowingly and mimed zipping her lips. “Okay. Secret.”
I smirked. “You might want to restrain your hands too,” I joked. “Because he understands sign language now.”
Her eyes flew open. “He does?”
“Yes,” I said, warmth spreading through me. “He’s been taking an online course so he can communicate with you properly.”
Nancy’s face softened, emotion flickering across it.
“And,” I added, my chest tightening slightly, “about the wedding… would you be my maid of honour again?”
Her response was instant. “Always.”
Then, with familiar confidence, “should I plan your wedding again?”
“Yes—but I’ll talk to Ian first,” I said. “We’re keeping it small this time. Intimate. Nothing overwhelming.”
Nancy nodded, already mentally organising. “Okay.”
“Are you two staying for dinner?” Zelda asked from the doorway, her tone casual but hopeful.
I turned to Nancy and lifted an eyebrow. “Please stay for dinner,” I said.
Nancy glanced at Nora, her mouth curving into a smile as she signed, “Your call.”
Nora laughed. “Sure. I still want to meet this Dr. Collins your sister is getting married to. You would not stop raving about him on the drive here.”
Nancy’s hands froze mid-sign, her cheeks instantly flushing.
I smiled, unable to resist. “You were raving about Ian,” I teased.
“Only a little,” Nancy signed, ducking her head shyly.
Nora wasn’t done. “Actually,” she added, grinning, “the one she talked about the most was the gorgeous Dr. Branson.”
Nancy immediately nudged her, sharp and embarrassed, but my mind had already caught up.
Dr. Branson.
Oh.
“Marlon,” I said, the name clicking into place. Ian’s best friend. His business partner.
Nora’s eyes lit up. “Ohhh, so they’re friends.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Do they have another friend? We could go on triple dates.”
I laughed. “I’ll introduce you to Tim one day—the flirt.”
“Flirt?” Nora echoed, clearly intrigued. “I don’t mind a flirt. Especially if he’s a doctor.”
“Yes,” I said. “Good luck, though. He definitely knows it.”
Nancy signed something fast, clearly scolding Nora, but she was smiling too—soft, hopeful, the kind of smile that told me she hadn’t stopped believing in love, even after everything.
And somehow, that made the room feel warmer.
I was checking the time when Ian walked in.
One look at him and I knew—today had not been kind.
His shoulders were tense, his jaw set in that way I’d come to recognise as his holding-it-together face. His gaze flicked briefly to Nancy and Nora as he entered the lounge, and he greeted them with a polite, controlled smile before turning to me.
He bent down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
“Hey,” I said quietly. “Bad day?”
“You could say that,” he replied, exhaling as if the words themselves weighed something. “I’m just going to take a shower and change out of this. I’ll be down shortly.”
Before I could respond, he was already moving away.
I noticed Nora’s eyes tracking him until he disappeared down the hall.
“He definitely looks like he’s in a bad mood,” Nancy signed, her brows knitting with concern.
Nora leaned closer. “Maybe we should leave and give you two some privacy.”
“No,” I said quickly, more urgently than I intended. “Please don’t. Stay for dinner first.”
Nancy studied my face for a moment, then signed, “Okay.”
Nora nodded in agreement. “We’ll stay.”
Relief loosened something in my chest. Whatever storm Ian had brought home with him, I didn’t want him to face it alone.
And for the moment, the house held its breath, waiting for him to come back downstairs.
Dinner passed in an uneasy hush.
Ian barely touched his food, pushing it around his plate more than eating. The silence sat heavy between us, thick with everything he wasn’t saying.
“This was delicious,” Nora finally said, forcing a smile. “But I think we should probably get going now.”
Ian looked up, guilt flashing across his face. “I’m so sorry,” he said sincerely. “I didn’t mean to make things tense. I’ll make it up to you both another time.”
“Don’t worry,” Nora replied. “We understand. Being a doctor isn’t easy—especially when you deal with life-and-death situations every day.”
“Thank you for understanding.” Ian nodded, then turned to Nancy and signed carefully, “take care. And tell your dad we’ll see him later.”
Nancy paused, surprise flickering across her face, but she nodded and signed back, “Okay.”
See my dad?
The question echoed in my mind as they said their goodbyes and Zelda saw them out. A tight knot formed in my chest.
The moment the door closed, I turned to Ian.
“What’s going on?” I demanded. “Tell me.”
His expression changed instantly—no more polite restraint, just raw seriousness.
“You have to go home,” he said quietly.
The words hit me like a slap.
“What?” My voice broke. “You’re… you’re breaking up with me?” Tears flooded my eyes before I could stop them. “I knew this was coming…”
“No. God, no.” He panicked, dropping to his knees in front of my wheelchair and pulling me into his arms. “Never. I love you far too much for that. I will never break up with you.”
“Then what is it?” I whispered against his chest.
He drew back just enough to look me in the eyes. “Your ex summoned me to court,” he said. “Until the investigation is over, I have to send you to your dad.”
My breath faltered. “What investigation?”
“I’ve been accused of starting an unethical relationship with a patient.”
“What?” I cried out. “Why would Michael do this?” Anger surged through the fear. “He’s trying to ruin our lives.”
Ian tightened his hold on me. “I know. And I’m going to fight it. But for now, we have to comply with the court order.”
I shook my head, tears streaming freely now. “For how long?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted softly. “Court could take months. But listen to me.” He cupped my face, his thumbs brushing away my tears. “This doesn’t change anything between us. I promise you—we will get married. No matter how long this takes.”
I leaned into him, clinging to the certainty in his voice, even as everything else began to fall apart.