Chapter 32 - Ben
It had been two days since I agreed to sign the divorce papers, and I still hadn’t wrapped my head around the idea of it.
I knew that Frank planned on setting up a meeting with Mel’s lawyer soon, which would force her to come back from North Dakota.
I paced aimlessly through the massive house I’d insisted on and looked at the doors that led to empty rooms she’d wanted to fill with children.
I should’ve given her those kids. Then she would have to give me a second chance.
I cursed myself for not having thought far enough past the tip of my own dick these past few years.
Will she keep this house? Bring another man into it?
I froze at the thought of another man pushing my wife against these walls or laying her out on the kitchen island, like I’d done so many times.
How the fuck was I supposed to just let her go?
CALL INCOMING: JACK, PI.
What the hell does he want?
“This is Benjamin Landon.”
“Mr. Landon, this is Jack. You wanted updates if anything urgent happened. As you know from last week’s report-”
I haven’t read last week’s report yet.
“Mrs. Landon went to a local clinic, but nothing seemed abnormal about it. However, a few minutes ago an ambulance was called to her parents’ address and Mrs. Landon was taken to the hospital.”
“What? What the fuck happened?” I snapped.
“I’m unsure. All I know is that the paramedics removed Mrs. Landon in a stretcher and Mrs. Walsh rode with her to the ER. I followed them to the hospital, and I will let you know if they discharge her.”
“I’m going to the airport now.” I got the address from Jack and ordered a car to pick me up while I packed a few items into a carry-on duffel. I called Sydney, my secretary, while I waited for the car to arrive.
“Mr. Landon?” She answered cautiously. She hadn’t heard from me since I had been forced to take some vacation time, and I could only imagine the gossip she had heard in my absence.
“Sydney, I need the number for any of my clients that have private planes here in L.A. and owe me a favor. Or a direct flight from LAX to Bismarck within the hour.” My tone was harsher than I intended, and I swallowed down my panic and apologized.
“Mrs. Landon is visiting her parents and is in the hospital.”
“Oh my goodness,” Sydney gasped. She’d always had a soft spot for my wife and regardless of the rumors, it made sense that I would be frantic to be by her side.
“Let me see what I can find. Kristie, can you please look up flights leaving LAX to Bismarck within the hour. Check for direct flights first and then check for the ones with the soonest arrival time.” Sydney delegated the back up plan to one of the other company secretaries and then hurried into my office to check the client records.
“Thank you.” I remembered to say as I watched the end of my street for movement through the window.
“It looks like you have three clients in LA with planes. I think you’ve done the most for Hennings, I have his personal cell number here.” She said after two of the longest minutes of my life.
“Perfect,” I said, and she rattled off the numbers.
“I will call Mr. Pritchett’s secretary, just to see if they’re in town currently or overseas.”
“You are an invaluable asset to the company, Sydney.” I said warmly, overwhelmed with gratitude for her.
“I’m doing this for Mrs. Landon.” She said briskly after a brief pause and ended the call.
For the first time in weeks, the universe was on my side because Mr. Hennings was not only in town but willing to let me borrow his plane and pilot for the next 48 hours.
It was clear that the company wasn’t spreading the rumors to my clients yet, and Mr. Hennings was a devout family man, and his wife had always been fond of Melanie.
Over the past two years, we had attended several of her charity galas and she always addressed them to my wife but joked that she could bring me along.
I checked my phone for updates from Jack as the car brought me to the airstrip where the Hennings kept their plane.
Nothing.
Please let her be okay.
· · ─ ·?· ─ · ·
The last time I’d flown to Bismarck, it had been on a commercial flight with a layover in Denver and had taken way longer than necessary.
The Hennings had their plane ready, and clearances were handled an hour after I called.
Three hours later, I was in Bismarck. The pilot assured me that he would be available and ready to fly out anytime over the next two days.
A few minutes later, I was headed to the hospital and on the phone with Jack.
“Updates?” I demanded, skipping the pleasantries.
“She was transferred to a room quickly. Her parents have been with her for the majority of it but about thirty minutes ago her brother and Mr. Bose arrived.”
I sucked in an angry breath and felt it rumble in my chest.
Of course, Griffin is there too.
Melanie always thought I was being possessive when I would comment on how Griffin’s eyes lingered too long on my wife, or how he always seemed to be aware of her location in any room, or how he hung on her every word during the holidays.
“It’s not like that and you know it!” she had laughed and slapped my arm playfully. “But it’s kind of hot that you’re getting all caveman for me.” She winked.
“Room number.” I gritted out.
“328. It’s a private room.” Jack supplied.
I hung up without a word and cracked my neck. Her entire family being in the room was going to make this more complicated than it needed to be.
· · ─ ·?· ─ · ·
The nurses were happy to guide me to my wife’s room when I explained that I had just chartered a private plane from LA to be by her side. They wouldn’t reveal any details about her condition but assured me that she was stable.
I hesitated outside the room, and the peppy nurse beside me patted my arm.
“She’s okay. I was just in there a little bit ago with Dr. Teller- he’s the best.” She gave me a comforting smile and knocked on the door before I could respond.
“Knock-knock.” She called and opened the door, “Look who just arrived!” she announced and ushered me into the room before she spun on her heel and bounced back down the hall.
If she had waited a few more seconds, she would’ve realized that her announcement had not been well received.
It wasn’t just the stunned expressions on their faces that made it clear my arrival hadn’t been expected. It was also the fist that crashed into my face as my former best friend snarled, “what the fuck are you doing here?”
“My wife is in the hospital.” I said dumbly as I shoved him back from me.
His mother grabbed his arm and shook her head once.
I rubbed my jaw and glared at him while he stood there visibly shaking from the effort it took to restrain himself.
All that could be heard was his heavy breathing and the rhythmic beeping from the monitors attached to Melanie.
“Ben.” Melanie’s voice sounded like the crack of a whip in the almost silent room.
I finally dragged my eyes from the immediate threat and looked at my wife.
She looked so small and pale in the ugly hospital gown, surrounded by wires and gadgets.
“Why are you here?” there was an icy edge to her voice that brought goosebumps to my skin.
“I was worried about you.” I admitted and took a step towards her.
She raised a hand to halt me at the same time her brother growled something obscene under his breath.
“Don’t.” She whispered. I nodded and froze in my tracks. She observed me for a moment and then tilted her head. “How did you know I was here?”
“I… uh.” I stammered. I hadn’t thought of how I was going to explain my arrival; I just knew I needed to be with her.
“Are you having me followed?” She asked in a deceptively calm tone.
“No.” I lied, quickly.
“Hmm.” She hummed and looked at Griffin. He met her look with silence, but a message was exchanged anyway.
“Benjamin.” Mr. Walsh said from the side. I spun and looked at him for the first time since I’d stepped into the room. He was standing near the door with his arms crossed and a cold fury in his eyes. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“We are still married.” I pointed out desperately. “I’m still her emergency contact.”
“No, you’re not.” Mrs. Walsh informed me. “I am.”
I took an involuntary step back. I was surprised by how much that piece of information gutted me. Of course, I wasn’t her emergency contact anymore… we were getting a divorce, but the speed at which she’d made that change seemed impossible.
“I-I…” I spun back to look at Melanie. “I need to talk to you, for just a few minutes. Are you okay? What happened?” I blurted out.
“I’m fine.”
“Why are you here? What happened?” I repeated.
“That’s none of your business.” The firmness infuriated me.
None of MY business. You’re still my WIFE. I wanted to scream.
“Melanie. Tell me.” I demanded.
“You’re not in any position to tell her what to do.” Kyle snapped.
“Are you sick? If something is wrong, I deserve to know. First you were at some Podunk clinic and now you’re in this budget hospital.” I realized too late that I had revealed too much.
“How did you know about the clinic?” She asked, her eyes narrowed.
“Don’t answer my questions with a question!” I deflected.
“I was getting tested to make sure my husbands wayward dick hadn’t given me any diseases. How. Did. You. Know?” she hissed. She had leaned forward in the bed and was staring me down with barely controlled rage.
“Insurance…” I lied, again. She raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“Of course.” She didn’t believe a word of it.
Griffin shifted subtly from the other side of the bed and smirked. I glared at the cocky motherfucker and sneered.
“Something funny, Bose?”
He shook his head silently, and his lips spread into a full grin.
Melanie rolled her eyes.
“I’ll give you five minutes and then you are going to leave.” She insisted.
“Okay.” I agreed.
“Give me the room. Wait in the hallway.” Her voice softened as she addressed her family, and they all stiffened at her request.