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G abby moaned as she rolled over. Her left shoulder ached and her arm throbbed like hell. She sat up on the bed, hissing as she moved.

A nurse walked in and put a breakfast tray down on the table. “Dr. Webber will make his rounds in about an hour. I thought you might like something to eat.”

“Oh. Do you think he’ll discharge me today?” she asked as the nurse moved the table closer.

“I’m sure he will. He spoke with your husband last night and reminded him to make your follow up doctor’s appointment for next week,” the nurse informed her. “Do you have the number? I can set up the appointment for you?”

“My husband?” Gabby whispered. She must’ve hit her head harder than she thought.

“Yes. I saw him a few minutes ago in the hallway, headed to the cafeteria.” The nurse smiled at Gabby as if everything was righted by her words, but instead, it turned hers upside down. “If you need anything, push the call button.” The nurse left her to eat her breakfast.

Gabby leaned over the bed rail and pushed with all her might. How did she get the stupid things down? Spying the latch, she leaned down between the cold metal bars and pushed the lever, making it fall on her casted arm. She hissed as she slid her arm out and let it fall. Pushing the table back, she threw her legs over the bed. Dizziness stopped her and she waited for the feeling to pass. Slowly rising from the bed, she threw open the closet to find a pair of warm lounging pants and a matching shirt. The tags still hung on the clothes, and she rummaged through the bag underneath and found panties, socks, anda pair of tennis shoes.

Fear made her tremble as she thanked the clothes goddess who brought her the comfortable outfit. Knowing Marcus spun up on a mission or stayed in the home she decorated out of love, she feared the person who tried to kill her at the exit might be there. Laying the clothes on the bed, she pulled the tags off the shirt with her teeth, desperate to escape before the stranger who spent the night beside her reappeared.

“Gabrielle.” The voice she longed to hear over the last few months echoed in her ear and paralyzed her simultaneously.

She placed the top on the bed, swallowed, and turned to see her soon-to-be ex standing in the doorway.

“How did you know I was here?” she whispered.

“The hospital called me. They said I’m listed as your emergency contact on your phone,” he explained as he set two cups on the table, one with coffee and the other with chamomile tea.

Gabby eased down onto the bed and held her head as it started to pound or maybe it came from her heart.

“I must’ve forgotten to remove your name. I’m sorry they called you. I’ll reimburse you for your flight. After all, I want to make sure I’m fair about it,” she replied, not bothering to hide the hurt she felt. Her chin rose, waiting for him to hurl hurtful words at her. What did it matter? In a few more months, she’d never see him again.

“Where are you going?” he asked gently.

“The doctor plans on releasing me today. I’m sorry I inconvenienced you.” Gabby avoided his gaze as she fingered the soft material of the outfit.

“Bryanna delivered the outfit. They cut yours off and I didn’t know where you stayed to pick up any of your clothes.”

Silence fell over the awkward moment.

Knight swore under his breath and moved a chair before her when she refused to meet his gaze.

He used his forefinger to tilt her chin and stared into her big brown eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he whispered.

Water filled Gabby’s eyes as she rapidly blinked it back. “It’s not the kind of news I wanted to deliver through the lawyer.”

“Is it mine?”

Gabby jerked her chin away as the doctor walked in.

“Good morning, Mrs. Hutchins. Mr. Hutchins. Your vitals stayed stable all night. Can you tell me your pain level?”

Knight moved his chair to allow Dr. Webber to examine Gabrielle. He noticed she swiped her eyes before responding.

“My arm and shoulder hurt. What about the baby?” she asked anxiously.

“When we performed the ultrasound, your baby appeared perfectly fine. I spoke with your OBGYN. He’s concerned about your blood pressure. You’re still on the high side, but it’s expected after an accident. Rest, and relaxation will help. You’ll need a primary doctor visit concerning your arm and shoulder, then your OBGYN next week. If you don’t have any questions, I can send you home.”

“When can I return to work?” she asked, avoiding Marcus.

“After you see your OBGYN. He can make the call on your return date. Until then, I’ll send you home with a work excuse,” Dr. Webber assured her.

“Thank you.” Gabby waited until the doctor left before grabbing her clothes and heading to the bathroom. She washed her hands carefully, avoiding the cast from her elbow to her wrist. Staring into the mirror, she scolded her image.

“Do. Not. Let. Him. Get. To. You. You’ve made it this far, and you don’t need him,” she gritted out.

Taking the clothes from the handicap railing, she struggled to put on the socks and panties. Her shoulder felt as if it was ripped from its socket, and her arm throbbed. She glanced down and noticed her fingers appeared as tiny sausages. She bit her lip to stifle the whimper from sheer exhaustion and pain. A soft knock on the door made her raise her head.

“Why don’t I help you dress?” Knight asked her tentatively.

“No. I’ll manage. Go away,” she gritted out tearfully while trying to hide her baby bump. He didn’t deserve to see the miracle growing inside of her after questioning its paternity. The pain of what he accused her of sliced through her like a knife.

“Gabrielle,” he admonished her in a low tone. “You’re hurt. I’ve seen you undressed. Let me help you and then we can leave.”

She refused to meet his gaze. “Do you have my phone?”

When he didn’t respond, she glanced at his face, which confirmed he did.

“I want it back, please. I’ll call a friend for a ride,” she demanded hurtfully.

“Let me help you dress and I’ll get your phone,” he bargained.

Gabby firmly shook her head. “Marcus. Our divorce will be final in a couple of months. You don’t owe me anything and I certainly don’t owe you. Please let me call my friend and you can return home.”

Knight ran his hand through his hair, exasperated. “Gabrielle. Stop acting unreasonably. I’m trying to help you.”

“I don’t need or want your help,” she seethed. Spying the red cord on the wall she tugged at it, calling the nurse.

Knight growled as he stood. The nurse knocked on the door and he turned to open it.

“I’m afraid my wife doesn’t feel comfortable with me dressing her with her arm. Can you help her?” he asked, smiling at the older woman.

“Of course.”

Knight retreated into the room and waited. Pacing back and forth, he felt at a loss on what to do. The doctor said no stress and he damn well needed answers. Why did she come to Seattle? Did she carry his child? When did she find out about the pregnancy?

The nurse helped Gabby from the bathroom and seated her in the chair. “I’m waiting for Dr. Webber to sign off on the discharge instructions and we’ll have you two out of here in a jiffy,” she said cheerfully before leaving the room.

“May I have my phone?” Gabby seemed to have gathered herself together while he lost his shit in the other room.

Kneeling beside her, Knight watched as she hunched over in pain and held her arm. He guessed it hurt more than she let on. It might raise her blood pressure more. Worried about her, he struggled to make peace until she felt better.

“How about we call a truce? Just for…I don’t know, three hours. I’ll take you to your friends, give you back your phone and we’ll discuss this later. If not, I’ll push the call button and ask the nurse to recheck your blood pressure. You’re pale, holding your arm and your shoulder sits up by your neck. The way I see it, you have two options: I can take you to your friend’s house or you can stay admitted for another day.”

Gabrielle’s eyes shot fire at him. “That’s a truce? Ha. Fine. I need my phone to call into work.”

“I’m sure they probably realized it when their waitress didn’t show up for her shift. You have a work note, and I’ll drop it off for you or call them myself to explain the accident,” Knight strate,gized.

His words stung. She worked hard for her degree, and he saw her only as the waitress who kept his house clean and waited for him to return home.

“Here you go,” the nurse called from the doorway. “I’ve sent for a wheelchair and they’ll arrive any minute.”

“I’m sorry. Do you mind rechecking her blood pressure?” Knight asked as he arched a brow in Gabby’s direction.

She gave out a little laugh. “I’m afraid I scared my husband. He’s the overprotective type. You know, the kind you want to throttle because they don’t know when to leave well enough alone.”

The nurse chuckled. “You gave him quite a scare, young lady. Let him pamper you, and he’ll calm down once he knows you and your baby are safe from harm.”

Gabby gave her a tight smile as she handed the paperwork to Knight.

“If you show any indication of spotting, dizziness, or nausea from your usual symptoms, don’t hesitate to return.”

“Thank you for taking such good care of her. I’ll get her home and tuck her into bed,” Knight turned on the charm while Gabby grunted.

The wheelchair aide arrived and Gabby waited as Knight tucked her coat around her and handed her purse to her. Instantly, Gabby dug inside, searching for her phone.

Knight patted his chest pocket and smiled, earning him another evil glare. “I’ll get my truck and meet you out front.”

Knight took the stairs two at a time, afraid she might disappear if he gave her the opportunity. He ran to his truck and dialed Bryanna’s number. “I’m taking Gabrielle to a friend of hers. I didn’t know she knew anyone besides you. What do pregnant women eat?”

“How is she? What about the baby?” Bryanna asked, concerned.

“They are both fine. The doctor said her blood pressure remains on the high side. She needs rest.”

“Did she say anything about the baby?” Bryanna asked quietly. “I can’t imagine why she didn’t tell you.”

“I can’t discuss it with her now. They don’t want her stressed. I need to pick up her prescriptions and whatever pregnant women eat.”

Bryanna’s soft laughter filled his ear. “Every woman craves different things. I craved vanilla ice cream with jalapenos last week. The week before, I wanted orange sherbert with ginger snaps.”

“Shit.”

“Ask her. Just…be careful, Marcus. She hurt you once,” Bryanna warned him.

“I gotta run. Thanks,” Knight turned into the front of the hospital in time for aide to roll out with Gabby.

He jumped out and opened the door, helping her inside by lifting her into the seat. She crossed her arms and peered straight ahead as he wrapped her coat around her. Her swollen arm didn’t fit into her sleeve, or he’d insist she wear it.

Sighing, he got in and drove out of the hospital parking lot. “Where does your friend live?”

Gabby’s gaze shot to the floor as she rattled off her friend’s address.

He drove through the city, and his scowl grew when the GPS indicated the area. “This isn’t the best neighborhood,” he remarked.

“I don’t judge people by what I see,” she seethed.

Knowing he wouldn’t mend any fences by putting her friend’s address down, he shut his mouth. When he parked in front of the building, Gabby swung open her door and tried sliding down from the truck. Muttering a curse, he ran around and stopped her.

“What the hell, Gabby? Do you have a death wish? You’re recovering from a car accident. Now, you’re jumping out of trucks,” he reprimanded her.

Tears pooled at his sharp tone, making him instantly regret his outburst.

“I agreed to let you drop me off. Give me my phone.” Gabby stared at her shoes.

He rummaged through his pocket and handed it to her. “Here. I’ll carry your things. Please don’t argue with me. It’s colder than a witch’s tit, and you can’t wear your coat properly with your arm.”

Gabby moved toward the building as the wind picked up. As soon as they entered, she held out her hand for her few remaining items. “I’m inside. Safely ensconced at my friend’s place. Thank you for the ride home.”

Knight glared at her. “Do you honestly believe I’ll leave you alone in a dump like this without ensuring your safety? I’ve held onto your phoneso unless you communicate telepathically…”

Gabby paused in indecision. “I have a key. I can let myself inside.”

Knight refused to budge. “What floor does your friend live on?”

“The sixth,” she said meekly when he refused to accept her response.

She held on to the handrail and began climbing the stairs. Even when she felt good, the climb winded her. Her arm swelled, and her skin felt tight. When she moved, her shoulder shot stabbing pain through her chest. The stairs seemed endless.

When they made it to the second landing, Knight stopped her. Placing Gabby’s belongings in her arms, he bent and picked her up.

“Put me down. I weigh a ton,” she exclaimed.

“You don’t weigh as much as my rucksack. If we waited for you to climb the stairs, it’ll be time for you to go into labor. Consider me an elevator,” he teased, trying to break the tense mood.

Gabby felt too tired to argue and hurt like hell . Shoot, she forgot to ask him to fill her prescriptions. Her head fell back on his shoulder as he made an easy pace up the stairs to the sixth floor.

“What’s the apartment number?” Knight turned his head toward her, and she closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. The safety of his arms wrapped around her made her want to cry.

“Four,” she choked out.

Knight walked down the hall, counting the doors and stopped when he found the number. He gently eased her down, and she took the key from her purse. He waited while she fiddled with the lock and turned the knob.

“Thank you, Marcus,” she whispered as she attempted to keep him from coming inside.

His hand slapped on the door, and his nostrils flared as he glared at her. “Did you bring me to your lover’s place?”

His words caused her to wince and jump before final acceptance replaced it. “As usual, Marcus, you’re astute. Thank you for bringing me home.”