She curled her hands into fists as she resisted the urge to touch him, not wanting to wake him. Her eyes traveled over him, pausing on his left hand, which was lying on his stomach, his wedding band resting close to his knuckle. He was still her husband. She should have been the one waiting for him at the hospital and taking care of him as he recovered. She sat down in a club chair beside the bed, continuing to watch him sleep.

Over an hour passed before his eyes opened, and as soon as they did they were focusing on her. “Lina?”

“How do you feel?” She was out of the chair and beside the bed.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to see how you were.”

“Why?” He shifted slightly, his lips twisting in pain as his injured hand moved.

“Do you need something? When was the last time you took a painkiller?”

He closed his eyes, turning his face away from her. “Go home.”

“You’d rather have Jeanie take care of you than me?”

“No. I would rather be home in my own bed, but you kicked me out, remember?” He grimaced.

“Phil, you need to take something.”

“No, what I need is for you to leave, unless you’re here to tell me you want me back. Is that why you’re here?” He opened his eyes and looked at her.

“No, but you’re still my husband and—”

“Out.” He pointed to the door with his good hand.

“Why are you being like this?”

“You told me you don’t want to be my wife.”

“You took her to Steamboat.”

“Fuck.” He gripped his forehead. “I know why. You don’t have to remind me. But if you don’t want to be my wife, you shouldn’t be trying to take care of me.”

“I care about you,” she whispered, tears coming to her eyes. “I can’t just stop.”

“Don’t.” He shook his head. “Don’t cry.”

“Why won’t you let me take care of you?” She touched the side of his face, her fingers running over his beard.

“Stop.” He gripped her hand. “This isn’t how it works. If you don’t want to be dependent on me anymore, you can’t expect me to be dependent on you. It’s a two-way street, Lina. Either you want to be my wife in every sense of that word or you don’t. I don’t want the friend side without the lover side, okay?” He squeezed her hand. “Those are my terms, and as long as we’re not living under the same roof, our only interaction is going to be in regards to the kids.”

“You really want me to leave?” She took a step back, her hands falling limply to her sides.

“Yes.”

Chapter 35

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