Saving Forever - Part 4 Read Free Page B

think that can be arranged.” When did they become so corny together? Were other couples like that? She hoped so.
    He enjoyed her half of the sandwich and crumpled the paper, tossing it perfectly into the bin again. “I need to fuel up. This surgery’s going to be a long one. You alright to head back to my place on your own?” A glint of something appeared in his eyes. “Or would you prefer to stay at your dad’s place?”
    The door to the small room opened before Charity could reply. Her father tucked his phone in the breast pocket of his suit. “My place?” His eyebrows rose in query.
    Charity kicked Elijah’s shin under the table. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
    “Do you need a place to stay? Is your side sore?”
    “No!” She softened her voice. “I’m fine. Elijah thinks he’ll be late at the hospital tonight.”
    Her father straightened his tie. “I will be as well. Seem to be spending our days here and nights at the hospital. The house could probably use some human interaction. You are welcome to stay there if you want.”
    A strange longing to stay there filled her. “I might. I’ll let you know later.”
    “We need to be back in the courtroom.” Her father sighed. “It’s only Wednesday but it feels like a long week already.”
    “Oh! I need to book a flight back to Atlanta.” Charity pulled her iPad out of her bag.
    Elijah’s warm hand rested lightly on her wrist. “I was only teasing.”
    She looked up at him and saw the worry in his eyes. “There’s a ribbon cutting ceremony on one of the new floors. I told Malcolm I would be there for it. It’s this weekend.” She debated asking Elijah to come but he was so busy with the hospital and this stupid court case she didn’t want him to feel he had to come.
    “Are you sure you’re alright to fly?” her father asked as he headed toward the door.
    “Dad. You’re the bloody doctor. Is it safe for me to fly?” She didn’t even wait to give him a chance to reply. “You know I’m fine. I have a job too. It’s been almost two months and I can’t keep putting it off.”
    “It’s just over six weeks. I think two more weeks would be better.”
    She glanced at Elijah for support. From the look on his face, she knew she wouldn’t get it. “My physio cleared me yesterday. He said as long as I continue doing the exercises on my own, I’ll be good to go. I’ll check back with him in three weeks for a few additional exercises but he said with my core strength being as strong as it was before the incident, it’s still there. I’m already weeks ahead of anyone else in my same situation.”
    Her father shook his head. “No one else is in your same situation. Nobody else was shot and nearly killed.”
    Elijah folded his arms across his chest. “And then had to sit through a court case trying to ruin everything around her.”
    Charity inhaled and let out a slow breath. “You two need to stop blaming yourselves. What happened to me is not your fault.” She pointed at the door. “That woman out there is responsible. She’s the one trying to ruin all of us. Don’t let her make you feel guilty, or bad, or even mad. Don’t let her win.”
    They all stood, chests heaving and quietly staring at each other.
    “It’s exactly what she’s trying to do. Don’t fall for it.” As much as she had the right to hate the woman, Charity only felt pity. She couldn’t help it. She had everything Laura wanted. She needed professional help. However, Laura was extremely smart and could manipulate any situation to her advantage. She’d managed to fool a lawyer and judge into thinking something was off at the hospital. Who knew what else the woman was capable of?
    The door opened and their attorney appeared on the other side. “You ready?”
    “Yes.” Dr. Thompson moved to follow him.
    Elijah reached for Charity’s hand. “I love you,” he whispered before they headed back out into the sea of flashbulbs and reporters again.
     

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