CHAPTER 4 ARIA
ARIA
I walk to the desk and hand Cathy a file folder. “Can you please file these for me?”
Cathy looks up at me with wide eyes. “Of course.” Then she elbows the woman standing beside her. “Tell her.”
I look between the two of them, already knowing I’m not going to like this.
Cathy has worked with me for two years, and somewhere along the way, she became more than just someone I work with. She’s my friend. Rachel is new. She’s only been here a few weeks, but she’s always been nice.
Right now, she looks like she wishes she was anywhere else.
“Okay,” I say, leaning against the counter. “What is it? What do you have to tell me?”
Cathy nudges Rachel again. “Tell her.”
Rachel lets out a breath and twists her hands together. “I was just coming back from the cafeteria, and I, uh… I saw your husband.”
I stare at her, waiting for her to finish.
Everyone in this hospital knows Dr. Penn Brody. He’s one of the best surgeons here, and people know he works too much. I’ve never talked to Rachel about Penn, but obviously she knows I’m his wife.
“Right,” I say, trying to keep my voice light. “He works here, so it makes sense that he’d be eating in the cafeteria.”
He sent me a text a little while ago, and I still haven’t answered. I’m not even sure what I would say to him.
Cathy gives Rachel another look, and my stomach tightens. “Okay. What is it?”
Rachel clears her throat. “I’m not trying to start anything, but he’s eating with Nicole Jenner. I know I’m new here, but I’ve already heard about her reputation. I just thought…” She looks at Cathy and then back at me. “We thought you would want to know.”
For a second, I can’t speak.
Then I force a smile. “Right. Well, they work together, so I’m sure they had surgery or something and are eating between procedures. That’s all.”
The words sound weak even to me.
My stomach knots up, and a thought I don’t want slips into my head. Is this what Penn has been hiding from me?
Cathy nods quickly. “Right. I’m sure you’re right. There’s probably a good explanation.”
She looks at the clock on the wall. “You have thirty minutes before your next patient. Are you going to eat lunch in your office, or—”
“You know what?” I cut her off. “I think I’ll go grab one of those strawberry spinach salads you’ve been raving about. Maybe it’s time I finally tried it.”
Cathy comes around the desk. “Yes, you should go try it.” Her voice softens. “Do you want me to come with you?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine. I’m just going to grab my food and then I’ll be back.”
Rachel gives me a worried look, and I hate the pity on her face.
I pull my shoulders back and walk out of the physical therapy department, heading straight for the elevator. The closer I get to the cafeteria, the slower I walk.
Am I really about to find my husband with another woman? Can I handle seeing that? What if he’s smiling at her the way he used to smile at me? What if she makes him laugh? I can’t remember the last time I heard Penn laugh.
When I reach the cafeteria doors, I peek through the windows, but I don’t see them right away. For a second, I almost turn around. I tell myself I don’t need to know because I trust my husband, and whatever is wrong between us can’t possibly be this.
But I don’t turn around.
I walk inside and look around the room until I spot them.
Penn is sitting at a table in the middle of the cafeteria with Nicole Jenner across from him. At first, he looks bored. His shoulders are stiff, and he barely seems to be listening to whatever she’s saying.
Relief rushes through me.
Then she says something, and Penn smiles.
It’s not a big smile, but it’s enough.
She made him smile.
I stand here staring at her. She has long hair, a pretty face, and lashes she keeps batting at my husband. Is this what he wants now? Someone younger? Someone that is not me? Is she the secret he’s been hiding from me?
Suddenly, I feel like everyone in the cafeteria can see exactly what I’m thinking. I grab a tray and walk toward the salad bar even though there’s no way I’m going to be able to eat a thing.
Every part of me wants to walk over to their table and sit down beside Penn.
I’m his wife, and I have that right. But I’m too hurt and embarrassed to do it.
I put food on my tray with shaky hands and make my way to the cashier.
I’m paying when I hear Penn call my name. “Aria.”
I keep my head down and walk faster. “Aria.”
I don’t stop. The second I step into the hall, I let out a breath, but it doesn’t help. My chest still aches, and my eyes are burning. I will not cry. I will not cry, I keep repeating to myself.
“Aria.”
His voice is closer now. “Did you hear me calling your name?”
I refuse to look at him. “No. Sorry. I’m in a rush, and—”
He steps in front of me, forcing me to stop. “Hey. What’s wrong?”
I lift my gaze to his. “Is that what you’ve been hiding from me?”
His eyes widen, and guilt flashes across his face.
My grip slips on the tray, and I almost drop everything. I catch it and take a step back from him.
“Aria, wait. Listen to me.”
I turn and keep walking, but he catches up quickly. I only stop when his hand closes around my arm.
People are walking past us now, slowing down enough to look. I can already imagine the gossip spreading through the hospital. Dr. Brody and his wife fighting in the hallway.
“I’m not doing this here, Penn,” I say quietly.
He opens his mouth, but I shake my head before he can speak. “I have a patient waiting for me.” I lower my voice. “Please. I need you to let me walk away. I can’t do this in front of everyone.”
His jaw tightens, and he lets out a breath. “Fine. But we’re talking about this as soon as we get home.”
I nod because it’s easier than arguing.
But even as I walk away, I know I’ll find a way to avoid him until then. Because I’m scared that if I let Penn explain, he’ll either tell me the truth or he’ll lie, and I don’t know which one would hurt worse.