Page 83 of Saving His Heart

Sylvie laughs softly beside me.

“No, he didn’t. We haven’t even been married for three days, and I’ve been with him every minute since then.” My hand flies to my mouth as I remember Preston’s nervous ticks at the courthouse.

“He had them with the marriage license. You both signed them. You’re now his legal power of attorney, wife, and sole beneficiary.

“No, thank you,” I say, standing suddenly. “Sylvie, I’ll let you know when Dr. Terry comes back.” Opening the door, I step out into the sterile, antiseptic-scented hallway. I take a deep breath, then allow my body to slide down the wall.

The door opens a few moments later. Sylvie exits and joins me on the floor in a dress that may have cost more than my first car.

“I don’t think you can just say ‘no thank you’ to legal papers you’ve already signed, hun.” She bumps her shoulder with mine, and I try to regulate my breathing. “You know, Preston has always been the spitting image of his father. High-handed, charming, caring, and a real asshole when he wants to be.”

A shocking sound comes from deep in my throat.

“This will get harder before it gets easier, you know?”

“I know,” I say quietly.

“And Preston is nothing if not thorough. If he wanted you to have something, he probably made it nearly impossible for you to walk away from it.”

“I really hope not, Sylvie. I never wanted his money, I swear.”

“Oh, Emory. Don’t be silly. I have eyes and ears. I also have a bullshit radar that goes off the second a gold digger comes within a hundred yards of my boys. I know you were never looking for a handout. Preston wouldn’t have fallen as hard as he did, as fast as he did if you were.”

“We’ve had a pretty messed up relationship,” I admit.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from Preston.”

“I … he said he loves me.”

“Of course he does. I know my son, Emory. If you’re sitting here thinking he married you just to make it easier on us when someone has to make that life or death decision, I might have to smack you.”

“What?” I gasp.

Sylvie shakes her head. “Emory, if Preston married you just so you could make that decision, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to ensure you were provided for.”

“I don’t think I ever told him I loved him. I was, I was—”

“You’re scared,” Sylvie supplies.

“I think I was.”

“But you’re not anymore.”

“And now it’s too late,” I cry again.

“It’s never too late, honey. It’s never too late to tell someone you love them. We’ll do this together, okay? Let’s get through the next few days, and I’ll support whatever you want to do about the rest. But I hope Preston told you that you have inherited a crazy family for life because that is not something any of us will ever budge on.”

Somehow, this man, my husband, has done the impossible. He has made sure I’ll always have someone to lean on, even if it can’t be him. Sylvie and I sit there, waiting for Dr. Terry for an eternity. When he finally rounds the corner, I attempt to pull myself together. I have to remember, Sylvie is losing a son, and everyone else that will come through that door is losing the most amazing man I’ve ever met in my life.

“Emory? Sylvie? I can take you to him now. As Emory knows, we have done everything we can, Sylvie. I’m so sorry you must go through this again.”

She doesn’t reply.

Taking her hand in mine, I give it a solid squeeze. “We’ll get through this together, Sylvie.” Then, just as Preston has always done with me, I take a step forward, dragging her with me, trying to protect her, shield her, comfort her. Behind me, I can hear Ben shuffling papers, trying to keep up.

We enter Preston’s room, and try as I might, I cannot keep the Dr. Camden shield in place.

“He’s so gray,” Sylvie comments.