Chapter 17 Don’t Leave Me #3
A doctor entered the room quickly, moving toward her. “You’re injured. You may have a mild concussion. You need to lie down.”
Mia hesitated, her eyes drifting back to James.
The doctor followed her gaze and softened slightly. “He was very worried about you,” she added. “The way he carried you into the hospital… I thought your injuries were serious.”
She paused.
“You were unconscious for a while,” the doctor continued. “But your injuries are mild—nothing compared to his.”
The doctor took a steady breath as she adjusted the IV stand connected to James. The transparent tube ran into his arm, the fluid dripping steadily. Her voice stayed calm, but her eyes flicked toward him more than once as she spoke.
“He was bleeding badly when he arrived,” she said, shaking her head lightly. “But he refused treatment until he finished talking to the police. The driver who caused your accident got arrested. Only after that did this man allow us to treat his injuries.”
The doctor finally turned toward Mia and gently pulled the IV needle from Mia’s hand. Mia flinched slightly at the sting.
“You’re doing much better. There’s no serious injury. As for your—” she paused briefly, choosing her words, “—boyfriend… he’s still under anesthesia.”
The word boyfriend made Mia’s lips press into a thin line.
The doctor smiled politely, gave her a brief nod, then turned and walked out of the room, the door clicking shut behind her.
Silence settled in.
Mia looked at James lying on the bed opposite hers. Bandages covered his arm and head, dried blood visible beneath the gauze. He looked pale, exhausted—nothing like the man she remembered.
“What the hell were you even doing near my office?” she muttered under her breath, a deep frown settling between her brows.
Her gaze dropped to her hand. The IV was gone.
Good.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her feet touched the floor quietly. She stood up, her movements cautious, and reached for her bag lying on the small table between their beds.
She turned to leave.
Suddenly—
Her wrist was grabbed.
Mia gasped and spun around.
James’s eyes were still closed.
His fingers were wrapped firmly around her wrist, his grip surprisingly strong despite his injuries. His brows were drawn together, his lips parting as a hoarse murmur escaped him.
“Don’t… go.”
Shock froze her in place.
She yanked her wrist once. “Let go of me.” she muttered, trying to pull free.
Instead, his grip tightened.
She tugged harder, frustration surging—and then he groaned sharply, his face contorting in pain.
That stopped her instantly.
Her shoulders sagged.
No matter how much she didn’t want to care, she couldn’t watch him suffer—especially after he had just saved her life.
With an irritated sigh, she sat down on the edge of the bed beside him. Carefully, she adjusted his arm so it rested more comfortably, easing the strain.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
The hospital room grew quiet, the steady beep of machines filling the space. Mia leaned back against the headboard without realizing it, exhaustion pulling her down. Her eyes closed slowly.
When she stirred again, the room was dimmer.
James’s grip had loosened.
Carefully, she eased her hand out of his and stood up.
But the moment she straightened—
James groaned.
His eyes fluttered open.
“Mia?” he murmured.
Mia stopped in her tracks.
He winced, breath uneven, but his eyes lifted and locked onto hers.
James struggled to sit up, biting back another groan as pain flashed across his face. He leaned against the headboard, breathing hard.
Their eyes met.
“Why are you running from me again and again?” he asked hoarsely.
Mia took a step back, putting distance between them. Her voice came out cold, edged with restraint.
“I need you to stop appearing in front of me,” she said. “We’re divorced. Have you forgotten that?”
Her hands clenched at her sides as the words poured out.
“We separated. We decided to live our own lives. You are living yours. I am living mine. So why are you suddenly everywhere I go? Why aren’t you just… gone—like always?”
James’s expression hardened. His jaw clenched, teeth grinding.
“Is it because of that bastard husband of yours?” he snapped. “Is that why you’re avoiding me?”
Mia stepped forward sharply, anger flaring in her eyes.
“Watch your mouth,” she said. “He is my husband. You don’t get to talk about him like that.”
James stared at her, eyes dark and burning. “So it is because of him.”
Mia inhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay calm. “Yes. And also because this has nothing to do with you.”
Her voice steadied as she lifted her chin.
“I need you to stop dragging yourself back into my life.” Her gaze held his—unwavering. “I don’t want to be entangled with you anymore.”
She turned to leave.
Before she could take more than a step, James reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her back against him.
Mia stiffened instantly.
She struggled instantly, hands pushing at his arms, but instead of releasing her, he drew her closer.
His forehead dropped against her chest.
She froze.
A shudder ran through his body. Then another.
Warm wetness soaked through the fabric of her clothes as she realized that he was crying. His grip tightened as his shoulders shook violently, his breath breaking apart in rough, uneven pulls.
“Can you stop… behaving like this?” he asked hoarsely, but the words lacked the strength they once carried.
His grip tightened.
“Please,” he choked. “Don’t leave me.”