Chapter 48
Chapter Forty-Eight
Three Months Later
Grace
Jamieson’s removal of his father’s brainstem tumor was a success.
It took a total of fourteen hours, and there were only a couple of complications, but nothing Jamieson couldn’t figure out.
He was a rock star, and I loved him more each and every day.
His father was undergoing chemotherapy and was doing well.
The relationship between Jamieson and him was also getting stronger.
We still hadn’t said those three little words to each other that would change our lives forever.
I was positive he loved me, but I didn’t want to put any pressure on him.
He needed to say it first. We were scheduled to return to court in two days to get our marriage annulled.
We hadn’t talked about it at all, and frankly, I didn’t want to.
Being with Jamieson was the best thing that had ever happened to me, and I thanked God every day for the circumstances in my life that led me to him.
I was getting a little worried since we hadn’t talked about it and what would happen next.
I had assumed things would go on as normal, but I was seriously mistaken.
Jamieson
I had a decision to make, and it was the hardest decision of my life.
I had my reasons. Reasons nobody could understand.
I had to be one hundred percent sure. Even though I knew I was, I had gotten comfortable with Grace living with me, something I thought I’d never get used to.
I know you’re thinking I’m the biggest dick on the planet, and you’re probably right. But as I said, I had my reasons.
I told her I’d meet her at the courthouse.
I didn’t think it was a good idea that we drove together.
I kissed her goodbye at the hospital and told her I wouldn’t be too far behind her because I needed to check on one of my patients first. I met her in the hallway with my lawyer, and we walked into the courtroom.
After the judge entered, we took our seats.
“Hello, Dr. Finn. Dr. Harper. It’s good to see both of you again.”
“Hello, your Honor,” we both spoke.
“I was hoping that this court date would be canceled by the both of you because you decided you didn’t want the annulment. So, I’m going to ask each of you separately one question. Dr. Finn, do you still want your marriage annulled?”
“Yes, your Honor. I do,” I spoke.
“Dr. Harper, are you in agreement with Dr. Finn? Do you also want your marriage annulled?”
Grace sat there in silence for a few moments while she stared at the judge.
“Grace?” Tony spoke.
“Yes, your Honor. I do.”
“Okay, then. It is by the order of this court that the marriage between Dr. Jamieson Finn and Dr. Grace Harper be annulled effective immediately.”
She signed the paper in front of her and then looked at both of us.
“I’m sorry for the both of you, but I hope you learned a valuable lesson. Court is adjourned.”
She got up from her seat and went into her chambers. I looked over at Grace and placed my hand on hers. She immediately pulled away from me as she stood up from her chair and walked out of the courtroom.
Grace
I had to get out of there as fast as I could before I broke down in front of him. He ran after me and lightly grabbed hold of my arm.
“Grace, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” I spoke as I fought to hold back the tears. “We knew this day was coming. So now you’re a free man, just like you wanted. If you’ll excuse me, I was paged while we were in court. I have to get back to the hospital. I will have my things out of your house as soon as possible.”
“Grace, please. Don’t leave like this. Clearly, you’re upset.”
“My patients come first. Not you and not this situation.”
I walked to my car with my head held high.
As soon as I climbed in, the tears started to stream down my face like a waterfall.
The hurt that I felt as my heart shattered was unbearable.
I’d never felt this kind of pain before, not even with Sam.
This was something new and unfamiliar, and I hated every moment of it.
I felt like my life had just been turned upside down, and I didn’t know what to do.
Clearly, this relationship was one-sided the entire time, and I was again blind to it.
I lied to him about being paged. I called Renata and told her I wasn’t returning today and that I’d be taking a few personal days.
She said she understood and that she’d check in on me later.
I drove to Jamieson’s house and packed up all my things.
Before shutting the door, I stood in the foyer and looked at the home I had lived in with the man I loved for the past six months.
The only person in my life that I was truly in love with.
I had finally understood what love was, only to have it ripped from me.
I drove to my apartment and got my new set of keys from the manager.
Opening the door, I brought all my things in and collapsed on the couch.
I cried myself into oblivion until I passed out.
I was awoken by a knock on the door. My heart jumped into my throat at the possibility that it could be Jamieson.
“Grace, open up. It’s Renata, sweetheart.”
I climbed off the couch, my eyes red and swollen from all the crying I’d done earlier. I opened the door, and a saddened look crossed her face when she saw me.
“Come here, baby.” She hugged me. “I brought you some food.”
“I’m not hungry.” I closed the door. “Can I make you some coffee or tea?”
“No. I will make it for you. Go sit down. I want to make one thing clear to you. You are not quitting the hospital because of him. You don’t give him that kind of power.”
“After everything we’ve been through the past six months, how can he throw it all away? I was such a fool. I truly thought he loved me. I could feel it. And he didn’t hesitate when the judge asked him if he still wanted the annulment.”
“He’s the one who’s a fool. Not you. You’re going to be okay, Grace.” She set a cup of tea down in front of me.
“I don’t think I will be. Not this time. My heart is so broken, and I don’t think it will ever heal. I have never loved anyone like I love him. He destroyed me, Renata.”
“Now, you listen to me. I’m giving you tough love here.
Just like I did when you were my resident.
You don’t let any man destroy you. Especially Dr. Jamieson Finn.
You are a brilliant surgeon and a kind and compassionate woman.
You have so much to offer, and he’s the idiot that can’t see it.
What he did is a reflection of him, not you.
He will be forever working out his mommy and daddy issues.
Alone, may I add! You’ll meet someone special and have a family, and he’ll be sitting in his lonely beach house wishing he’d never let you go. ”
“I doubt it. I don’t want to meet anyone else. I really thought we had a future together.” The tears streamed down my face.
“The only future Jamieson Finn has is his lonely path. He may not realize it now. It may take ten or twenty years, but he will one day. I could just kill that man!”