CHAPTER 39
Nina hated hospitals.
Especially waking up in one—with a dull, pounding ache in her temple and the feeling that a freight train had run her over. Her eyes opened with effort, her lids feeling like lead weights. Her throat was dry, her head buzzing, and her body… her body felt alien. Not hers.
She shifted slightly—and pain flared everywhere. Especially in her side. Nina tried to take a deeper breath and immediately winced. Her ribs definitely took a hit.
Her thoughts were a mess, but she remembered one thing clearly.
She’d been driving to the beauty salon. She just wanted a haircut. A small reset.
And then someone slammed into her at full speed.
She must’ve blacked out instantly from the pain. She didn’t even remember being brought here. She’d come to a few hours ago and learned she’d been a step away from dying.
The door to the room opened, and Nina slowly turned her head.
Jasper walked in.
She blinked, not immediately sure whether it was really him or just a hallucination—painkillers, anesthesia, her brain playing tricks on her.
He came closer, hands in the pockets of his white coat. Calm. Controlled. Confident—as always.
But his eyes were different.
There was something too human in them.
Worry?
That couldn’t be right.
“Hi,” he said quietly. “You’re in my hospital. You’re going to be okay.”
Nina tried to speak, but only a rough rasp came out.
“Don’t strain yourself,” Jasper added, moving closer to the bed. “You had internal bleeding, but you’re stable now. We got to you in time.”
Her head remained turned toward him. Her chest felt tight, but not from pain—from confusion.
Why was he here?
Why was he looking at her like that?
“For now, only light food,” he continued, hovering over her. “If you need anything, let me know. I’ll bring it.”
She kept staring at him. She couldn’t look away. The corners of her lips almost twitched—but she stopped herself before a foolish smile could form.
Was this concern?
But why?
Guilt? Because of what he’d done to her years ago? Wouldn’t it be easier for him if she’d just disappeared? Then he could finally breathe freely.
Or…
She bit her lip, trying to swallow the lump rising in her throat.
“Why… are you… here?” she forced out at last. Her voice sounded unfamiliar, weak.
Jasper didn’t answer right away. He just looked at her, and the intensity of his gaze unnerved her.
“Isn’t it my responsibility?” he said finally. “I’m a doctor. And you’re my patient.”
“Actually,” Nina said hoarsely, uncertain, “you’re a cardiac surgeon. And if I remember correctly, I’m not in your department.”
Jasper gave a faint, crooked smile and looked away, as if caught. Then he frowned—just for a moment—and his face settled back into its usual unreadable mask.
“I just want you safe,” Jasper said quietly. “Nothing could touch you here.”
Except you, Nina thought.
Because damn it, she didn’t know what scared her more: him… or what she felt when he was near.
And she still didn’t understand why he was doing any of this.
If this was guilt—she didn’t need it.
Nina exhaled and looked at him again.
At his controlled posture.
At his clenched fists.
At the way he carefully avoided lingering on her face.
He was worried. She could see it. Feel it. She just didn’t understand why.
“You’re not the person I wanted to see first after rising from the dead,” she said with a weak half-smile, trying to deflect, to ease the tension.
Jasper didn’t smile back. His face went grave.
“But I wasn’t the first,” he said. “I saw Frank. He was leaving your room.”
Nina stiffened. Her heart picked up speed, her lips pressing into a thin line.
“Why did he come?” Jasper continued. There was anger in his voice—and she understood why. Frank had ordered the attack on him not long ago.
Nina let out a sharp breath, barely holding back her irritation.
“Probably hoping I wouldn’t make it,” she said bitterly. “And was disappointed to see me alive. My death would’ve made his life a lot easier.”
Jasper was silent for a few seconds. Then he said calmly, clearly,
“I’m assigning security outside your room, twenty-four seven. Access will be limited to vetted staff only.”
Nina blinked, not immediately processing what he’d said.
“What?.. Why?”
“Until we know the full details of the accident, it’s better not to let our guard down.”
She looked away. She already knew he was right. Tanya Graves had resurfaced and agreed to cooperate—and the next day, the accident. And Frank had shown up immediately, displeased, making thinly veiled comments.
“Jasper…” Nina began quietly.
He raised a hand, stopping her.
“This is Nolan’s call,” he said. “Not mine. Rest. Don’t overdo it.”
She closed her eyes for a couple of seconds.
“Fine,” she said dully. “Thank you.”
“I’ll check on you later,” Jasper said after lingering a moment longer. Then he left, shutting the door behind him.
Nina lay there, staring at the ceiling, when Jasper came back again.
He looked grim. Focused. Something was off. He stepped up to the bed but didn’t sit down like before—just stood there, looking down at her.
She’d been here a week now and still couldn’t figure out whether his presence irritated her… or soothed her.
He brought food, even though the hospital meals were decent. Every morning he showed up with a thermos of homemade food. She didn’t know who cooked it. Nina liked to imagine it was Lynn.
Daphne had called only twice all week. Nina told her she was in the hospital, no details—didn’t want to worry her. Still, it hurt more than she wanted to admit.
“What happened?” Nina asked hoarsely at last, unable to stand the silence.
“They want to transfer you,” Jasper said shortly. “At your family’s insistence.”
She froze.
“Frank?” she whispered.
Jasper nodded.
“I heard it from the department head. They’re preparing paperwork to move you to a private clinic under the supervision of a ‘family physician.’ On paper—a caring husband. In reality—an attempt to isolate you.”
A chill ran down her spine.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Nina said sharply. “I’m conscious. They can’t do that.”
“Legally, he can,” Jasper replied evenly. “You’re still his wife. Until you’re discharged, he has the right to interfere.”
“So what are you suggesting?”
Jasper exhaled, his fists tightening.
“You’ll come with me,” he said firmly. “Right now, it’s the only place where I can guarantee your safety. You can’t leave the country in your condition. You can’t stay here either. I’ve already discussed it with Nolan.”
Nina stared at him, stunned.
“Why?” she asked in disbelief. “What are you even trying to do?”
Jasper met her gaze. His eyes were steel—steady, unflinching.
“Don’t I owe you?”
She gave a short, humorless laugh.
“You really think a few days under the same roof will make up for what you did?” Nina said harshly. “I won’t be alone with you. You destroyed my life, Jasper. And now you’re asking me to just forget it?”
“I’m not asking you to forget anything,” he replied quietly. “Not you. Not myself.”
“Then what is this?” she scoffed. “Soups, guards, living together. Is this your way of easing your conscience? Or are you just bored? Reminding yourself who I am to you? I’m your victim. You shouldn’t be anywhere near me. You raped me.”
The word tore out of her in a single breath—and Nina went still.
It was the first time she’d ever said it out loud.
And the first time she’d said it to him.
They stared at each other. Nina saw the veins stand out on his arms. Suddenly, her strength began to drain away.
Jasper’s face didn’t move. His fists stayed clenched. For a split second, she thought he might snap.
“I—” she started, then stopped. Her voice was shaking.
“I’m not bored,” he said sharply. “And this is hell. Every meeting with you feels like taking a bullet. Because I know exactly what you think of me. And you have every right to.”
He paused, then continued more harshly:
“I’m not offering help because of the past. If you don’t want to stay with me, you can go to Lynn’s house.
She’s living with me right now. Nolan says the incompetency status will be overturned in a week.
And right now, Nina, I’m not the one destroying your life.
Your husband is. Look around. Just for a minute, stop living in the past while your present is falling apart. ”
“Easy for you to say,” she scoffed, tears sliding down her cheeks.
Jasper took a step back, toward the door. He didn’t look at her anymore.
“Think about it. I’ll wait until tonight for your decision. If you say no, Nolan will come up with another option. But this is the best one we have. Frank knows he’s losing—that’s why he’s acting rough.”
He left, leaving Nina alone with the ache in her chest, burning from the inside out.
She already regretted losing her temper.
He was right—at least about one thing. Her present was crumbling.
But Jasper Garth was still the reason she was broken in the first place.