Chapter Isabelle Campbell
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
I had no idea what Colin and Henry had talked about a few days earlier, but for the next three days, Colin actually pushed himself to do the exercises. Then, on the fourth day... he just refused to keep trying.
I’d seen his effort. For three straight days, he was focused, serious, doing everything that was asked of him. But something broke inside him—and I knew exactly what it was: lack of progress.
He was stuck in the same place, and I saw the light in his eyes fade, replaced by a growing darkness.
I honestly didn’t know what else to do. I was reaching my limit, and it hurt to know he was like this because he’d tried to help us. Help me.
Colin didn’t want to talk to anyone. He kept isolating himself more and more each day.
The only people he exchanged a few words with were Joshua and Hanna.
I was sure he’d grown tired of me—after all, I’d turned into the most annoying woman alive, practically his babysitter.
Giving him space hadn’t helped, so I kept trying, again and again… but now, I felt completely powerless.
I brought him his meal, and Colin didn’t even look at me. He looked exhausted, sad, frustrated.
“The physical therapist’s coming again today,” I said, not really expecting him to answer.
Silence.
“I asked him to try something new. I don’t know, maybe a different exercise—something that might be easier for you.”
Laughter.
That was the sound I heard after finishing my sentence.
“What’s so funny?”
“My life’s a joke. It’s become one.”
“Try doing the exercises and don’t give up, it’s just—”
“I… can’t. I’ve tried everything… but I just can’t do it.” His voice started out firm, then trailed off into a whisper.
He buried his face in his hands and took a deep breath.
I might not understand the pain he was going through, but I knew he’d tried in his own way to get better. Still, what I’d learned over these past days was that if I wanted Colin to persist in anything, I had to push him—or show him exactly what he stood to lose in the long run.
This was my last shot. I’d have to go hard on him. Unfortunately, Colin needed to hear some truths—and I was going to be the one to say them. It was for his own good.
“Today’s a new day. You’re going to give your best and do everything that’s asked of you.”
“Isabelle…”
“And if you need to, you’ll do extra rounds of exercises.”
“I’m not going to—”
“And I’ll personally make sure you don’t quit!” I snapped, cutting him off again.
“For fuck’s sake! I can’t!”
“Yes, you can.” I grabbed the handles of his chair, staring him down. “What do you want me to do? Be a mother and father to Joshua and Hanna while you sit there throwing tantrums about physical therapy? Are you really willing to throw your life away and abandon me like Hanna’s father did?”
His eyes flared with anger the second I said it. I knew I’d hit a nerve—but that was the truth, whether he wanted to hear it or not.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” he shouted.
“What’s wrong with me and men? Seriously, I’d love to know. I only fall for the wrong ones.”
“I’m not one of the wrong ones!”
“Then prove it! Do something for yourself!”
“I… can’t! Is that so hard to understand? You’re not in my place, you don’t know the pain I feel when I try—and besides the pain, I just… lock up. I can’t.”
“If it’s that hard, then you’d better find the strength somewhere, because Hanna and Joshua keep asking when you’re coming back. Every single day.”
“I’m right here.”
“No, you’re not! Instead of trying to get better, you’re doing the opposite—and it’s killing me inside because I don’t know how to help you. I need you. We all do. If you don’t want to do it for me, then do it for your son, who cries himself to sleep every night because of you!”
I knew I’d gone too far, but Colin needed a dose of reality in that stubborn head of his. I hadn’t said a single lie—Joshua grew more anxious every day, and his father kept pushing him away.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“If you don’t care about me enough to try, then do it for your son. I might not mean anything to you, but I know he does.”
“You make me hate you so damn much…” He closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath.
“I don’t care!” I crossed my arms, already expecting that reaction. It didn’t surprise me in the slightest.
“But at the same time, I love you so damn much.”
My eyes widened. Hearing those words…
I froze for a moment, unable to believe what had just come out of his mouth.
“Wait, did you just say you love me—or am I losing my mind?”
I had to be wrong. He’d never say that to someone like me, the woman who’d done nothing but irritate him since the day we met.
“Isabelle, you’re na?ve if you really think I would’ve endured torture if I didn’t love the three of you.”
Colin turned his face toward the wall and went silent.
I took a step closer.
“Don’t come near me,” he said softly but firmly enough for me to hear.
I hesitated, but something stronger pushed me forward. I moved around his chair until I was standing in front of him, searching his face.
Colin was crying, though he tried desperately to hide it behind that stoic mask.
“I’ve told you before, but I’ll say it again: I love you, and I’m not going anywhere. But please, if I have to beg, I will…” I knelt down in front of him. “Try your hardest with the therapy. Don’t give up on living, please.”
“Get up! I don’t want you on your knees in front of me. I don’t deserve that.”
“If that’s what it takes, I’ll stay right here. You’ve done more for me and Hanna than anyone else ever has. Encouraging you is the least I can do to show that we’re here for you. Just… help yourself too. Please, Colin. If you love us, do it for us.”
Colin looked straight ahead, clearly torn about something.
I had no idea what he was going to say—but there was still a flicker of hope in my heart. He was going to pull through this.
“I promise I’ll try. That’s all I can do.”
“That’s a start.”