Chapter 10
"Cadi?"
The moment Cadi heard his voice on the other end of the line, the dam inside her cracked. She hadn't meant to break down, hadn't meant to let the tears come so fast, but the weight of everything hit her like a tidal wave. A choked sob escaped before she could stop it.
"Cadi?" Callum's voice sharpened instantly, concern cutting through the line. "What's wrong? What happened?"
She couldn't speak, not yet. She pressed a hand over her mouth, trying to control the sobs racking her body, but it was useless. Everything—Gray's distance, the betrayal, the gnawing insecurity—rushed through her, leaving her gasping for air.
"I'm coming over," Callum said firmly. "Just hold on. I'll be there soon."
Cadi didn't protest. She just nodded, even though he couldn't see her, and ended the call.
Fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang.
Callum stood on the doorstep, dressed casually in jeans and a dark sweater, his blond hair slightly mussed from the wind. His hazel eyes swept over her, taking in her tear-streaked face, swollen eyes, and red nose. Without a word, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
"Come on," he said softly, guiding her toward the kitchen. "Tea first. Breakdown second."
Cadi let herself be led, too exhausted to argue. He maneuverered her onto one of the stools by the kitchen island before moving around like he had done a hundred times before, pulling out the kettle, reaching for the mugs. The familiarity of it—the effortless ease of his presence in her home—only made her chest ache more.
By the time he placed a warm cup of tea in front of her, she was trembling.
"Alright, tell me," he said, leaning against the counter. "What happened?"
Cadi sniffled, rubbing at her nose with the sleeve of her jumper. "I'm such an ugly crier."
Callum smirked. "Oh, I know. Your nose is practically glowing right now. Santa will be by to collect you soon."
A laugh bubbled up from her throat, strangled and teary, but real. She swatted at his arm. "You're supposed to say I look fine."
"Nah, where's the fun in that?" He grinned. "Now talk to me."
Cadi swallowed hard, wrapping her hands around the mug for warmth. Then, in a broken whisper, she told him everything.
The distant way Gray had been acting. The extra shifts. The moment she overheard him suggesting Vanessa for the role she had fought so hard for. And finally—the worst of it—what she had seen in the consultant's room.
When she finished, her voice was hoarse. "Why? Why would he do this? Is it because I've put on weight? Because I haven't lost it all? Maybe he doesn't find me attractive anymore. Maybe—"
"Cadi, stop." Callum's voice was firm. "Don't do that to yourself. This isn't about your weight."
She gave a watery laugh, shaking her head. "I don't know what else it could be. I just—"
"Gray loves you," Callum interrupted. "And if he's being a complete idiot right now, it's not because of your weight. It's because he's a man, and men are thick sometimes."
That pulled another weak chuckle from her. Callum sighed, reaching across the island to nudge her hand. "Look, I know you, Cads. You don't let things slide. And you sure as hell don't run away. So you need to confront him. Find out what's actually going on instead of spiralling into worst-case scenarios."
Cadi exhaled shakily, staring into her tea. "What if I don't like the answer?"
"Then at least you'll know the truth." His voice softened. "And you'll know what to do next."
She blinked away fresh tears, nodding. "Okay."
At that moment, the kitchen door banged open, and Tomos ran in, flushed from playing outside. "Mum! Arya's dad just showed him this trick shot, and we—oh! Hi, Uncle Callum!"
Callum grinned. "Hey, champ. Heard you took a heroic dive in PE today."
Tomos puffed out his chest. "It was legendary. Mum, can I have some juice?"
Cadi wiped at her face quickly and nodded. "Go wash up first. Properly. And don't just splash water on your face."
Tomos groaned but ran upstairs, leaving them alone again. Callum watched her closely, his smile fading slightly. "Are you sure you'll be okay? I can stay."
Cadi shook her head. "No, I'll be fine. I just... needed to talk it out."
Callum hesitated, then pulled her into a firm, reassuring hug. "Alright. But if you need me, I'm just a call away."
Cadi clung to him for a second longer than she meant to before stepping back, nodding. "Thanks, Callum."
"Anytime, love." He squeezed her hand once before heading for the door.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Cadi sat back down, gripping her tea with both hands. Her mind drifted back to how she had met Callum.
It had been towards the end of her training. Gray had gone to Brisbane for a six-month shoulder surgery fellowship, and though she had encouraged him to take the opportunity, his absence had left her feeling adrift. That was when she met Callum—a psychiatry trainee who was part of the mental health team working closely with the rehab department on multidisciplinary cases. He had a sharp wit, a calming presence, and an uncanny ability to make her laugh even on the worst days.
They had spent long hours working together on MDT cases, helping patients who required both physical and mental rehabilitation. Over time, he had become not just a colleague, but a close friend. He had been a frequent visitor to their home, easily slipping into their lives, joking with Gray over dinner, playing with Tomos when he was little. He and Gray had been good friends, which made tonight's call feel heavier.
She sighed, rubbing at her temple. Things had felt so simple back then. Now, everything was unravelling, and she wasn't sure where she stood anymore.
The conversation she had been avoiding still loomed ahead, but at least, for now, she wasn't completely alone.