Chapter 43 Nyah
NYAH
As the ambulance sped through the streets, sirens wailing, a sickening feeling of déjà vu washed over me. The motion, the urgency, the helplessness—it all felt hauntingly familiar, as if I had lived this moment before and known exactly how fragile everything still was.
I tried to keep my eyes open. Every time I managed to force them apart, I slipped back into darkness again. I was terrified of losing consciousness completely. I was terrified of what might be happening to Caleb while I wasn’t awake.
Jeremy had succeeded in doing the one thing he had set out to do.
He had taken me down with him.
He had hurt me.
And he had hurt Caleb.
Now that Jeremy was dead, we were fighting for our lives.
When I finally woke properly, the first thing I did was press the call bell.
Panic flared in my chest as I waited. When the nurse swept into the room, I urgently asked about Caleb, the words tumbling out before she could even finish greeting me.
She took my vitals, checked my wound, and told me she would go check on him and let me know his condition.
The waiting felt endless.
Minutes later, the doctor walked in. “Good morning. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “Just tired and a bit nauseous. How’s Caleb?”
She put her glasses on before answering. “He’s still unconscious.”
My heart clenched. “Is he alright, though?”
“Well,” she said calmly, “the bullet exited your shoulder and went through his. It stayed lodged in his, but luckily, we were able to extract it. So, in short, he will be absolutely fine.” She smiled gently, then continued, “As for you, the nausea is normal, especially at your stage. It will probably last another month or so.”
“A month?” I stared at her, confused. “Why would it last so long?”
She took off her glasses. “Well, my dear, because you’re about six weeks pregnant.”
The world stopped.
My jaw dropped just as Eleanor walked through the door.
“Don’t worry,” the doctor added, “your baby is just fine.”
I’m pregnant. The thought echoed wildly in my head. I’m pregnant with Caleb’s baby. How was that even possible?
My brain scrambled, desperately trying to remember the last time I’d had my period. I realized, with a dull shock, that I hadn’t even noticed I’d missed it.
The doctor glanced at Eleanor, smiled politely, and excused herself, saying she would return later to check on me.
Eleanor marched straight up to my bed. “Does Caleb know?” she demanded, her tone threatening.
“No,” I said. “I didn’t even know until just now!”
“Good.” She paused. “Keep it that way.”
What did she mean? “I have to tell him,” I said, anger flaring. “I want to tell him. You can’t tell me what to do.”
“No, you will not,” she snapped. “You will do no such thing if you know what’s good for you and the baby.
” She leaned in close, her eyes boring into mine like a predator’s.
“You have caused so much pain to our family. My son was shot because of you. My grandchildren were harmed because of you.” Her voice dripped with venom.
“You think I want you anywhere near my family? I will make your life miserable if you are even in the same city as them.”
Randall walked in. “What are you doing?” he asked sharply.
“I’m telling her what’s best,” Eleanor said. “I want her to stay away from Caleb. She has caused us enough pain in this lifetime.”
“Enough, Eleanor,” Randall said firmly, raising his hand. “She saved this family. She made your son the man he is today. She saved the children. Leave her alone!”
Eleanor stalked out without another word. She didn’t mention the pregnancy.
I didn’t want to tell Randall either—not until I told Caleb myself.
“How are you feeling, dear?” Randall asked gently, sitting on the edge of my bed.
“I’m fine. Just worried about Caleb. Have you seen him?”
He smiled. “He’s fine. I just checked on him. They’ve sedated him, so it’ll take a couple of hours for him to wake up properly.” He kissed my forehead. “You need to rest, too. I’ll come back later.”
Drowsy from medication, I woke to find Eleanor sitting silently in the corner of my room.
“You listen to me, you little tramp,” she hissed.
“I don’t think you understand how serious I am.
So I’ll make it perfectly clear. I want you out of my son’s life.
I want that baby gone. I’ll give you as much money as you want. But you will do as I say.”
Something inside me snapped. “I don’t want your money,” I said through clenched teeth. “And I am not going anywhere. Why are you doing this?”
“You don’t belong with Caleb,” she said coldly. “Even he doesn’t want you. He’s with Caroline now. They’ve been going out for a month already.”
“You’re lying,” I said, my stomach twisting violently. “He loves me. He doesn’t love Caroline.”
“If you say so,” she replied. She handed me an envelope, smiling cruelly. “You can be the judge of that.”
I opened it.
Photos slid out—dated. More than a dozen of them. Caleb and Caroline holding hands. Laughing. Smiling. In bed together.
Cold seeped into my bones as I stared at the evidence I didn’t want to believe. At Simon’s house, Caleb had made me believe he still loved me. He had followed me to the cabin. How could he lie to me like this? How could he love me and still be with her?
He has stopped loving you.
The truth hit hard and felt final.
I stared out the window, my hand drifting instinctively to my belly as Eleanor left the room.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the hospital window and woke me. I stroked my stomach slowly, tears burning my eyes. I blinked them away and picked up my phone. Alex had messaged to say my car was back at my building and that he was looking after my gun.
I dialled a number.
“Hi, it’s me,” I said.
The voice on the other end confirmed my identity.
“It’s time,” I said. “Start the process.”
I buzzed for the nurse and asked for paper and a pen, then requested to see the doctor immediately.
This was it. There was no turning back.
My hand shook as I wrote, tears splashing onto the page.
Caleb,
I am sorry for all the hurt and pain I have caused your family and you.
It was never my intention. However, the pain of seeing you and Caroline together again has hurt me more than words can ever express.
I thought it was just a one-night thing, but I guess I was wrong.
I guess the two of you make more sense than you and I ever did.
Since you have moved on with your life, I am going to do the same. I’ll be moving away from Vancouver, but will be keeping a piece of you with me, always.
Goodbye!
Nyah
Every word felt like it sliced something out of me.
When the doctor came in, I asked to be discharged.
She refused, saying I had to stay another day.
The physiotherapist came in while I argued with her.
Desperate, I explained everything. “My son is seven years old. I need to get back to him. Just show me the exercises and let me go. Please.” He reluctantly agreed and arranged my release.
Before leaving, I changed out of my gown and went upstairs to Caleb’s room.
He was alone. Sedated. His arm was bandaged, just like mine.
I walked over to him, kissed his cheek and whispered goodbye. Turning around, tears coursed down my cheeks.
He had hurt me again.
He had broken his promise.
And now, so had I.
I walked out of the hospital without looking back.
Out of his room.
Out of his life.