CHAPTER 36
L ater that night, I blink slowly, trying to focus on Sophie’s animated face as she shows me her latest drawing. Even through the fog of pain medication, seeing her smile warms my heart like a ray of sunshine breaking through storm clouds. She’s perched carefully on the edge of my hospital bed, while Ms. Lucy sits in one of the visitor chairs, her knitting needles clicking softly in a soothing rhythm. Gavin stands by the window, his presence a constant comfort, occasionally glancing between me and the hallway outside.
“Look, Mama,” Sophie holds up another piece of artwork proudly. “It’s you and me and Gavin!”
I manage a small smile, careful not to move my neck too much in the stiff brace. The drawing is a beautiful mess of colorful stick figures surrounded by what I assume are flowers and Gavin’s house, complete with a lopsided chimney and what appears to be Nugget next to us.
A knock at the door draws everyone’s attention. Officer Martinez enters, his expression serious.
“Ms. Monroe,” he says, then glances around the room, his eyes lingering briefly on each person. “I need to speak with you privately about some case details. Would everyone mind stepping out for a moment?”
Ms. Lucy immediately stands, tucking her half-finished knitting project into her floral tote. “Come on, Sophie. Let’s go down to the cafeteria and get some of that chocolate milk you like.”
Sophie’s lower lip trembles slightly as she looks at me, her small hands clutching her drawing. “I don’t wanna leave Mama.”
“It’s okay, baby,” I whisper, the words still rough and painful in my throat.
Gavin moves to leave, but I protest, my heart rate picking up slightly at the thought of him going.
“No, please stay.” I manage.
He smiles faintly and walks over to the side of my bed, and I pick up his hand, squeezing it weakly. Officer Martinez seems to understand, his expression softening slightly. “Mr. Mitchell can stay if you’d like, Ms. Monroe.”
Once Sophie and Ms. Lucy are gone, he pulls out his notepad and sits in the recently vacated chair, adjusting his uniform as he settles in.
“I wanted to update you on the situation with Matthew Monroe,” he begins, his tone professional. “He’s being held without bail due to the severity of the assault and the violation of the restraining order. The judge was quite clear about that.”
I feel Gavin’s fingers tighten around mine, his thumb brushing soothingly across my knuckles as Officer Martinez continues. “We’ve discovered how he located you in Pine Grove.” He pauses, his expression apologetic, shoulders dropping slightly. “Apparently there was a clerical error in the divorce paperwork processing. When Mr. Monroe was served the papers, your new address was listed on the documentation instead of being redacted as requested. It should never have happened.”
My entire body goes rigid, like ice has replaced the blood in my veins. Tears spring to my eyes and spill down my cheeks before I can even process what I’m hearing. A clerical error. A stupid, careless mistake by someone who probably went home that day without a second thought, while my entire world shattered because of it.
“A clerical error?” My voice cracks. The monitors beside my bed start beeping faster, the rhythm declaring the thundering in my chest.
Gavin’s hand tightens around mine. “Bailey, try to breathe.”
But I can’t. The room feels like it’s spinning. I did everything right. Everything. Gotten a restraining order, filed for divorce properly, kept a low profile. And still, Matt found us because someone couldn’t be bothered to do their job correctly.
“Do you know what he did to me?” I choke out, the anger rising like magma inside me. “Do you understand what could have happened to my daughter? Because someone couldn’t check a box or redact an address?”
The monitor’s beeping grows more frantic. Officer Martinez stands, concern etched on his face.
“Ms. Monroe, please try to—”
“No!” The word tears from my throat, raw and primal. “I did everything right! Everything! And you’re telling me that all it took was some paperwork mistake to put my daughter in danger again?”
My chest heaves with each breath. The rage feels foreign, overwhelming. I’ve spent so long being afraid, being careful, being quiet. But now? Now I’m furious.
“Who was responsible?” I rasp out, ignoring the pain shooting through my neck as I try to sit up straighter. “Who made this mistake? I want names. I want accountability.”
The alarm on the heart monitor wails now, and Nurse Sam appears in the doorway, her eyes darting between me and the equipment.
“What’s happening in here?” she asks sharply.
I try to focus on Gavin’s hand in mine as the room spins with a mix of rage and fear. The heart monitor continues its frantic beeping, matching the thundering in my chest. Nurse Sam moves swiftly to my bedside, checking the monitors with practiced efficiency.
“Officer Martinez,” she says, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I need you to step out now. My patient’s blood pressure is far too high.”
“Of course.” He tucks his notepad away, his face etched with concern. “Ms. Monroe, I want you to know we’re in direct contact with the law office. They’re conducting a full investigation into how this oversight occurred. The District Attorney is taking this case very seriously—”
“Please,” Nurse Sam cuts him off, “she needs rest.”
“The DA is pushing for maximum sentencing,” Officer Martinez adds quickly as he backs toward the door. “Given the severity of the assault and the restraining order violation, we’re looking at significant prison time. I’ll return when you’re feeling better to discuss the details.”
The door clicks shut behind him, and I collapse back against the pillows, my body trembling. The pain in my neck flares with each shallow breath.
“Deep breaths, Bailey,” Nurse Sam instructs, adjusting something on my IV. “Try to match my breathing, okay?”
I focus on her exaggerated breathing pattern, but my mind keeps spinning back to that piece of paper with my address on it. One mistake. One careless moment in some office somewhere, and Matt found us. Found Sophie.
“He could have killed me,” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else. “If…”
“Hey,” Gavin’s voice is soft as he squeezes my hand. “Don’t go there. You’re safe now. Sophie’s safe.”
Nurse Sam checks my vitals again. “Your blood pressure is still too high. I’m going to give you something to help you relax.”
I shake my head, immediately regretting the movement as pain shoots down my spine. “No, I need to stay awake for Sophie.”
“Sophie is perfectly fine with Ms. Lucy,” Gavin reminds me. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
“The medication will just take the edge off,” Nurse Sam explains, already preparing a syringe. “It won’t knock you out completely, but you need to rest. Your body has been through so much in such a short time.”
I watch as she injects something into my IV line. The tension in my muscles slowly begins to ease, but my mind keeps racing. “What if the DA can’t—”
“Bailey.” Gavin’s voice anchors me. He leans closer, his amber eyes holding mine. “Matt is not getting out. Not this time. The evidence is overwhelming, and I’ve already given my statement about what I witnessed. Trust me, I made sure they understood exactly what happened.”
The medication starts to take effect, softening the sharp edges of my anxiety. “I…” I murmur. “I just… I can’t believe one stupid mistake…”
“I know.” His thumb traces circles on the back of my hand.
Nurse Sam adjusts my pillows, careful of my neck brace. “Your vitals are improving. Try to focus on the present moment. You have people who care about you right here.”
A gentle knock at the door makes me tense slightly, but it’s just Ms. Lucy peeking her head in. “Is it okay to come back? Someone’s getting mighty anxious to see her mama.”
Before anyone can answer, Sophie squeezes past Ms. Lucy’s legs and rushes to my bedside.
I feel my heart twist as Sophie looks up at me, her little face so solemn. Her normally bright eyes are clouded with worry, her small shoulders hunched. I reach for her, my arm feeling like lead, the medication making my movements sluggish.
“Come here, baby,” I whisper.
Sophie’s lower lip trembles. “Mama,” she says, her voice tiny. “Can I… can I lay down with you?”
Tears spring to my eyes as I slightly nod.
Nurse Sam steps forward. “That’s okay, sweetie, but you need to be very careful of your mama’s IV and not bump her neck, alright?”
She nods, her eyes never leaving my face.
Gavin moves to help, his strong hands lifting Sophie with such gentleness it makes my heart ache. “Up you go, little one. Easy does it.”
He places her carefully beside me on the narrow hospital bed and she immediately curls into my side, her small body finding the space between my arm and torso. I can feel her trembling against me.
“I was scared, Mama,” she whispers, and then the dam breaks. Soft sniffles turn into quiet sobs as she buries her face against my hospital gown.
I wrap my arm around her tiny frame, pulling her closer despite the pain that shoots through me. My own tears spill over, running hot down my cheeks.
“I know, baby. I was scared too,” I admit, my voice breaking. “But I’m okay now. We’re both okay.”
I stroke her hair in a soothing motion as she cries. Each of her tears feels like a knife in my heart. This is exactly what I’d tried to prevent, my daughter terrified, crying in a hospital room, her world shaken by violence she should be too young to understand.
My tears fall into her hair as I hold her, our bodies rising and falling with shared grief. Gavin stands nearby, his own eyes glossed over. Ms. Lucy dabs at her face with a tissue.
“I love you so much, Sophie,” I whisper against her hair. “So, so much.”
Her small fingers clutch at my hospital gown. “I love you too, Mama.”
I’m finally getting discharged after what feels like an eternity in the hospital. Nurse Sam, who’s become something of a friend during my stay, helps me into the wheelchair while Gavin gathers my belongings.
“Now remember what I said about those pain meds,” she says, wagging her finger playfully at me as she starts wheeling me down the corridor. “They’re not optional, Bailey. Even if you’re feeling okay.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I rasp out, even though talking still hurts a bit.
“And you,” she points at Gavin who’s walking beside us, “make sure she actually takes them. This one’s stubborn.”
He chuckles, adjusting the strap of my overnight bag on his shoulder. “Don’t I know it. Don’t worry, I’ll keep her in line.” He gives me a wink.
“I’m right here, you know,” I protest weakly, but I can’t help smiling. Their playful banter has been a bright spot during my recovery.
As we approach the hospital entrance, Sam leans down close to my ear. “You’ve got yourself a good one there,” she whispers, nodding toward Gavin.
I feel my cheeks warm as I glance up at him, who’s holding the door open for us. “I know,” I whisper back.
The morning air is crisp and cool against my skin as Sam wheels me toward the parked truck under the hospital’s entrance awning. I can see he’s already prepared it for me, there’s a soft pillow on the passenger seat and a blanket folded on the dash.
“Alright, transition time,” she announces. “Ready, sweetie?”
I nod, and between both of them, they help me stand from the wheelchair. My legs feel a bit shaky after spending the majority of my stay in bed, but their hands keep me stable. Gavin lifts me effortlessly into the passenger seat, careful not to jostle me too much.
“There we go,” Sam says, adjusting the pillow behind my back. “Now remember, if anything feels off, anything at all, you get yourself back here, okay?”
“I promise,” I say, reaching out to squeeze her hand.
“Thank you for everything, Sam.” Gavin adds.
She waves off his thanks with a smile. “Just doing my job. But you take care of yourself, Bailey. And you,” she turns to Gavin with a stern look that doesn’t quite hide her grin, “you better treat her like the queen she is.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Gavin responds with a mock salute, making her laugh.
As we pull away from the hospital, I lean my head back against the pillow, watching the familiar streets pass by. Gavin reaches over and takes my hand.
“Sophie’s been helping Ms. Lucy bake all morning,” he says softly. “They wanted to make sure everything was perfect for when you got home.”
Home.
My heart swells at the thought of my little girl. These past three days have been the longest I’ve ever been away from her, and even though she was at the hospital every day, it hasn’t been the same. “How is she doing?” I quietly ask.
“She’s good.” He glances at me before returning his eyes to the road. “She’s been staying with Ms. Lucy.”
Tears prick at my eyes. “I can’t thank you enough. For everything.”
He brings our joined hands to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles. “You don’t have to thank me, Bailey. You and Sophie… There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, than with you two.”
I blink awake as we turn onto his long driveway, I can see Sophie, Nugget and Ms. Lucy waiting on the front porch. Sophie’s holding a homemade welcome home sign covered in glitter and flower stickers, and she’s bouncing on her toes.
“Mommy!” She waves as soon as we park, though Ms. Lucy keeps a gentle hand on her shoulder to keep her from running to the truck.
“Easy now, remember what we talked about,” I hear her saying as Gavin helps me down. “Mama needs gentle hugs right now.”
She nods, but I can see she’s practically vibrating with the effort to contain herself. Gavin steadies me as I walk toward the porch. I lower myself slowly to meet Sophie’s gaze. Once I’m steady, he releases his grip and I hear him tell Nugget to ‘sit’, which the dog does obediently. Nugget plops down right beside us, his tail drumming against the porch while his tongue lolls out the corner of his mouth.
“Hi, baby girl,” I whisper, opening my arms.
She approaches carefully, her little face serious as she gives me the gentlest hug.
“I missed you, Mommy,” she says into my hair. “Me and Ms. Lucy made you pudding. And look!” She points to her sign proudly. “I colored all the flowers myself!”
“This is so beautiful baby girl.” I rasp as I take it all in.
“Welcome home, sugar. Let’s get you inside and settled.” Ms. Lucy adds.
Gavin’s arm stays steady around my waist as we make our way inside. He guides me to the plush recliner by the fireplace, arranging pillows behind my back.
“Here, Mommy.” Sophie darts toward the kitchen. “We made some soup too.”
Ms. Lucy emerges from the kitchen carrying a bowl of something that smells delicious. “Now this here is my mama’s special recipe. Guaranteed to fix whatever ails you.”
The aroma of chicken, herbs, and fresh vegetables fills my nose as she sets it on the side table. Sophie returns with a spoon clutched carefully in both hands.
“I helped cut the carrots,” she announces proudly.
“She was quite the little chef,” Ms. Lucy winks at me. “Wouldn’t let me do anything without her supervision.”
They both go back into the kitchen to fix the rest of the bowls.
I look over to Gavin and see he’s watching me. “I don’t… I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve all this.”
He kneels beside my chair, taking my hand in his. “You brought light back into my world, Bailey. After my dad passed, I wasn’t myself and then you and Sophie came along bringing joy back into my life. This house was just a shell of a building and now it feels like a home.” His eyes shine with emotion. “You two are the best things to have ever happened to me.”
I squeeze his hand, overwhelmed by what I feel for this man who’s opened his heart to not just me, but my daughter as well.
I’m here surrounded by the people I’ve come to love and something inside me finally breaks. Not in the way things have broken before, not like the fracturing fear when Matt would raise his voice, not like the splintering panic when I decided to flee with Sophie in the middle of the night. This breaking feels different. It’s like ice thawing after a long winter.
I take a shuddering breath, and suddenly I’m crying. Not the quiet, hidden tears I’ve trained myself to shed silently so no one would hear me, but deep, body-wracking sobs that seem to come from somewhere ancient inside me.
“Bailey?” Gavin’s voice sounds alarmed as he moves closer.
I can’t speak. I just shake my head slowly, trying to reassure him through my tears that I’m okay, better than okay. Sophie appears from the kitchen, her little face crumpling in concern.
“Mommy? Does it hurt?” She reaches for my hand, her touch feather-light against my skin.
“No, baby,” I manage between sobs. “Sometimes… sometimes people cry when they’re happy too.”
She looks up at me and I pull her in for a hug that she eagerly returns, and I kiss the top of her head.
Ms. Lucy quietly guides Sophie back toward the kitchen, murmuring something about checking on the pudding, and giving me a moment.
Gavin doesn’t try to shush me or tell me everything’s okay. He just gently grabs hold of my hand again, his thumb making those gentle circles against my palm as I cry out years of tension and fear.
“It’s over,” I whisper, the realization hitting me fully for the first time. “It’s really over.”
My body seems to understand before my mind does. The constant knot in my stomach that I’ve carried for so long begins to unravel. My shoulders, perpetually braced for impact, start to soften. The dull headache that’s been my constant companion fades at the edges.
For the first time in years, my body believes what my mind has been too afraid to accept since officer Martinez spoke with me in the hospital. Matt is behind bars and can’t hurt me, can’t us anymore.
Gavin pulls my hand to his lips, brushing a kiss so gentle against my knuckles that I barely feel it. His eyes never leave mine, amber depths filled with an emotion I’ve been too afraid to name.
“I love you, Bailey,” he whispers, the words hanging in the air between us, barely audible yet somehow filling the entire room.
My breath catches. Those three words, words I’d stopped believing I’d ever hear again, words that had become twisted and weaponized in my past, sound different coming from him.
For a moment, I can’t speak. The tears that had just begun to slow start fresh again, but these are different. These aren’t tears of release but of recognition. Of being seen.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he continues, his voice still soft. “I just needed you to know. When I finally burst into that room and saw Matt…when I thought I might lose you…” His voice breaks slightly, and he clears his throat. “I realized I never wanted to waste another moment without you knowing exactly how I feel.”
I reach up with my free hand, ignoring the twinge of pain in my ribs, and touch his face. The stubble on his jaw is rough against my palm, and I can feel him lean into my touch like he’s drawing strength from it.
“Gavin,” I whisper. “I’ve been so scared for so long.”
He nods, patient as always, giving me the space to find my words.
“Loving someone… it terrified me. Because love was always followed by pain.” I take a shaky breath. “But with you, it’s different. You make me feel safe. You make Sophie feel safe.”
I glance toward the kitchen where I can hear my daughter’s little voice talking away with Ms. Lucy, then back to the man kneeling beside me, this man who has shown me what love is supposed to be.
“I love you too,” I say, the words coming easier than I expected. “I think maybe I have for a while now.”
His smile breaks across his face like sunrise, and he leans forward to press his forehead gently against mine.