Page 47

He nods and turns to write something down.

“So, how long have you had the headaches?”

My reply comes out as more of a question. “A little over a year now?”

Silence.

Followed up by more silence.

So much silence I can hear Victor clear his throat outside the consultation room.

His proximity comforts me as I wait for Silas to speak again.

“You’ve had a headache every day for a year, and you’ve never gone to the doctor for it?”

“Didn’t really have the money,” I point out. I’d been focused on other things. Like rent and all the basics I needed to buy now that I was on my own.

Besides, I’d kind of accepted it as the tradeoff for my freedom. I could tolerate a headache if it meant I was free…

Clearing my throat, I meet Silas’ confounded stare.

“What? Is this the part where you tell me I have a brain tumor or something?”

Worry and alarm eclipse his easygoing demeanor and dread sets in, fast and heavy at the pit of my stomach.

Fuck, that was a joke.

“Let’s get you scheduled for some more tests before we start catastrophizing.”

He screens me for another hour, talking the whole time. I don’t know if I’m more impressed at how thorough he is or that he doesn’t run out of things to say. Fifteen minutes in, he turned off the overhead light when he saw me squinting repeatedly and relied on the natural light streaming in through the windows to finish his assessment.

When he’s done, he sends me to another room to have my blood drawn.

“Take my number so you can contact me if anything else comes up.”

A few blinks turn into a full moment of silence before Silas cocks his head and extends his hand.

“Your phone, Delilah.”

I reach into my bag and give it to him. “Does Adonis know you’re doing that?”

His fingers hover over my screen. “Trust me, you wouldn’t be in my office if Adonis didn’t want you contacting me.”

Is that supposed to be comforting? Am I supposed to feel relieved that I got taken by a man who cares about my physical wellbeing? I don’t know, and Silas’ face gives nothing away. So, I swallow my line of questioning and shoot him an awkward smile.

“I’m going to write you a script for a pain reliever. I want you to get it filled after you see Dr. Thomas about your eyes.”

A tingling sensation pricks my nose, and I avert my eyes, trying to hide any possible sheen.

“Hey, it’s okay if this is overwhelming. We’re just trying to make sure you’re well taken care of.”

“Not overwhelming.” Just…new.

Adonis isnotmy savior.

One kind gesture doesn’t erase the totality of who he is, but it’s hard convincing myself of that when the sum total of all my emotions right now converges on how grateful I am.

My thoughts are still fuzzy a while later when Victor opens the door for me to climb into the truck.