Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Jamieson
I was standing at the nurses’ station finishing up a patient’s chart when Grace came storming over to me.
“Electrode implants,” she spoke.
“What?”
“There’s a trial in Switzerland.”
“Has it been successful?” I asked as I cocked my head.
“So far on rats and monkeys.” She bit her lower lip.
I sighed, handed my chart to the nurse, and walked away.
“He’s sixteen years old!” Grace shouted. “He has his whole life ahead of him.”
“You’re telling me that this trial hasn’t even been done on humans, and you want it done on your patient? Grace, come on.”
“If there is even the slightest chance, even if it’s one percent, that this boy can walk again, you’re damn right I want it done.”
“Where did you hear about this trial?” I asked out of curiosity.
“I read about it. If you’re waiting for me to apologize for being late to court today. I won’t. My first and foremost priority is saving people’s lives. When we’re faced with a crisis, and it comes to a patient’s life, everything else stops, including a court date.”
“Send me the information on the trial, and I’ll take a look at it.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“I’m not making any promises, Grace. I’m not God.”
“Really? You sure as hell act like you are.” Her brow arched, and she walked away.
I rolled my eyes and went to my office. I couldn’t believe that this marriage wasn’t annulled today.
Total bullshit. That’s what it was. And I know it had something to do with her being so late.
It didn’t matter, though. I would have done the same thing.
All was quiet for the time being, so I went to my research room and pulled up all my notes and scans on the monitors that were hung on the wall around the room.
It was where I spent almost all of my time.
It was research I’d been working on for years.
It was something that was extremely important to me.
One Week Later
A week passed, and I barely saw Grace at all. A consult here and a consult there. It was better that way, for both our sakes.
“Dr. Finn, what are you doing here? I didn’t think you’d come in until after your court hearing,” Renata spoke.
“I was paged a few hours ago. One of my patients coded, and I had to open his head back up. At that point, why bother going home.”
“Is your patient okay?”
“He is now.” I smiled.
It was almost time to leave, so I went to the ER to get Grace. She didn’t know she was riding with me, and I wasn’t giving her a choice.
“Jackie, where’s Grace?” I asked.
“You mean your wife?” She smirked.
“Stop that.” I sighed. “Where is she?”
“She took the morning off.”
“Damn it.”
I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed her number.
“Yes, Dr. Finn,” she answered.
“I’m coming to pick you up. You’re driving with me.”
“Then you’ll have to pick me up at the coffee shop across the street from the courthouse because that’s where I am right now, enjoying a hot cup of coffee.”
“Oh. I’ll be at the courthouse soon. Try to make sure nobody gets hit by a car before you get there.”
I arrived at the courthouse and saw Grace and Tony standing outside the courtroom.
“Good morning, Jamieson.” He smiled.
“Morning, Tony. Grace,” I spoke as I gave a slight nod of my head.
We entered the courtroom, took our seats, and waited to be called. The judge entered the courtroom and took her seat.
“Welcome back, Dr. Finn. Dr. Harper. Happy to see you’re both on time today. “Dr. Harper, how is the boy you helped last week?”
“He’s paralyzed, your Honor. But I’m hoping that with Dr. Finn’s help, he will have a chance to walk again.”
Why the hell would she tell the judge that? I took a deep breath and wanted this over with as quickly as possible.
“Let’s hope that happens. Now, moving on to the reason why you are back in my courtroom.
You have filed to have your marriage annulled.
Dr. Finn, you are one of the best neurosurgeons in the country, and Dr. Harper, you are one of the best trauma surgeons around.
You’re both young and so incredibly successful for your age.
The thing that I’ve thought about over the past week, after having my clerk gather some information on the both of you, is why would these two extremely intelligent doctors, who barely know each other, decide on the spur of the moment to get hitched while attending a medical conference in Las Vegas.
Any answers?” She looked at Grace and me.
“We made a mistake, your Honor,” I spoke.
“Your Honor, they were highly intoxicated and not of sound mind,” Tony spoke.
“Blah, blah, blah.” She waved her hand. “You know what I love? I love when people screw up their lives or make mistakes, and instead of taking responsibility for themselves, they blame the alcohol. Maybe you shouldn’t have drunk so much.
” She glared at us. “With that being said, I am denying the annulment of your marriage for at least six more months.”
A sickness settled in the pit of my stomach as I started to sweat profusely.
“What the fuck, Tony?” I whispered.
“Your Honor. My clients and I aren’t quite sure what’s going on here.”
“I’ll tell you what’s going on. It is the decision of this court that the marriage between Dr. Jamieson Finn and Dr. Grace Harper stays as is for six more months with the following rules set in place: Dr. Harper will move into Dr. Finn’s beach home, where they will reside as roommates for the next six months.
I have already ordered your apartment complex to change your locks first thing tomorrow morning.
So, I would advise you, Dr. Harper, to gather your things after leaving this courthouse.
Also, someone will visit your home, Dr. Finn, once a week to ensure that Dr. Harper is indeed staying there. ”
“Your Honor, you can’t do that!” I shouted.
“Dr. Finn, I can do anything I please. I can change it right now if you want to make it a full year.”
“Jamieson, don’t say another word,” Tony spoke.
Grace
I stood there in shock and took in a deep breath to prevent going straight into a panic attack. Why the hell was she doing this? The last thing I wanted to do was live with that man.
“I’m sorry, your Honor, but I need an explanation as to why you’re doing this to us?” I softly and calmly spoke.
“Why, Dr. Harper? I’ll tell you why. The two of you were incredibly irresponsible.
I’m sure during your inebriated state, you thought it would be fun to go and get married without realizing the consequences after the fact.
You both took something sacred and made a mockery of it.
I would hate to think that either one of you would act so recklessly in the operating room.
Let this be a lesson for both of you. I’m sure your attorney will appeal this decision, which I will tell you right now is a waste of your money.
This case, if you’re lucky, will get to the appellate court maybe in a year.
I will see you back here in six months. The court is adjourned. ”
I slowly sank down in the chair behind me as Jamieson stared at me.
“Can she do this?” I asked Tony.
“She’s the judge. This is her courtroom. She can do anything she wants.”
I inhaled another sharp breath as I stood up to leave.
“We’re appealing this,” Jamieson spoke as we followed Tony out of the courtroom.
“Jamieson, it’s going to take longer than six months.
Listen, my best advice to you both is to co-exist. You’re both doctors and have very busy schedules.
You won’t even see each other that much at home,” Tony spoke.
“It’s only six months. It could be worse.
Just deal with it, and it’ll be over with before you know it. ”
“This is unacceptable, Tony!” Jamieson harshly spoke.
“Jamieson, that’s enough!” I shouted at him. “We don’t have a choice, so just shut the fuck up!” I stormed out of the building.
“Grace!” he yelled as he ran after me and grabbed my arm. “This is not okay.”
“No, it’s not! But like I said, we have no choice. I’ll stay out of your way, and you stay out of mine.”
I left the hospital around seven thirty, went to my apartment, packed my bags, and drove over to Jamieson’s house.
“Hey,” Jamieson spoke as he opened the door.
“Hey.”
“Is that all you brought?” he asked as he stared at my suitcase.
“No. My other bags are in the car.”
“I can go get the rest of them.”
“No. I can do it. Just tell me which room I’ll be staying in.”
“Up the stairs, first door on the right.”
I took my suitcase up the stairs and opened the door to the room I’d be staying in for six months.
I felt sick. I hated leaving my apartment behind.
Especially when I was still paying rent and couldn’t live in it.
I’d finally made it into my home—a place where it felt good to go to after a long, exhausting day at the hospital.
Now, I’d be staying in a place that didn’t feel so good—where I didn’t want to be and wasn’t welcomed.
I went downstairs to grab the rest of my things from the car and saw Jamieson walk in with my other suitcase and bags.
“What are you doing? I told you I got it.”
“I know, but I wasn’t going to let you do it all alone while I stand here. I’m not that much of an asshole.”
“Yeah. Okay,” I spoke with sarcasm. “Anyway, thanks.” I went to grab them from him.
“I can carry it up, Grace. Stop being so stubborn.”
I rolled my eyes and started walking up the stairs while he followed behind. Suddenly, I stopped mid-step and turned around.
“This whole pretending to be nice is starting to get on my nerves, and I’ve only been here ten minutes. Just stop, Jamieson. You don’t want me here, and I don’t want to be here. So, let’s stop the fakeness and do our own thing.”
“Wow, you really hate me, don’t you?” he spoke.
“No.” I slowly shook my head as I sat down on the step. “I don’t hate you. It’s just that judge is an idiot and it really bothered me what she said about us being reckless in the operating room. Who the fuck is she to say something like that?”
He set down my suitcase and sat down on the step with me.
“She doesn’t know what the hell she’s talking about. Maybe other surgeons are reckless in the operating room, but not us. I’ve seen you operate, and you’re incredibly skilled and talented.”
“Thanks.” I gave him a small smile. “So are you.”
“Listen, Grace. I’m going to be very honest with you. I dislike sharing my things with anyone, and I like living alone. All my things have their place, and I tend to get anxious if anyone messes with that.”
“Are you like OCD or something?” I arched my brow at him.
“No. It stems from my childhood. But don’t ask because I’m not telling you anything.”
“Honestly, I don’t even want to know. I gave up trying to figure you out.” I smirked. “Even if you are my husband.”
He chuckled. “That word really gets to me. I don’t want to be anybody’s husband, no offense.”
“None taken.” I smiled.