“The divorce lawyer.” As Burke spoke, he saw her cheerful expression freeze. “I mean it, Allison,” he said. “At least talk to somebody so you’ll know what you’re looking at if I go under. It’s your only chance of salvaging anything out of this mess.”

“I told you, I don’t want a divorce. That’s the last time I’m going to say it.” Her voice was cold. “Is there anything you want me to pass on to Garrett?”

“I’ll deal with Garrett myself. I’m sure he’ll be coming by. Meanwhile, I know you’ve got better things to do than babysit me, so you might as well get out of here and get on with your day.”

“All right.” She rose. “I’ll check on the car and see you later, when I bring Brianna by.”

“Fine. I’ll be right here. It’s not like I can get up and leave.”

She hesitated, as if about to lean over the bed and kiss him. Burke turned his head away. He knew he’d hurt her, but it was for her own good, he told himself. Allison would be better off without him. Whatever it took, he needed to convince her of that. Losing her would kill him. But even that would be better than having her stay and see him humiliated.

* * *

Allison had barely made it into the hall before the tears spilled over. She stumbled blindly ahead, almost bumping into a grim-looking, silver-haired nurse dressed in lavender scrubs.

“Are you all right?” the woman asked.

“I’ll be fine.” Embarrassed, Allison wiped her eyes. “It’s just that . . . oh, I don’t know. Seeing him like this, so helpless and so angry . . . it’s going to take some getting used to.”

“You know he has a good chance of recovery, don’t you?” The nurse guided Allison into an unoccupied room, where they could talk in private without disturbing patients. “It’s just going to take time and a lot of patience.”

“Yes, I know. But he’s being so hateful—mostly to me.” Allison gave an apologetic shake of her head. “I’m sorry for unloading on you this way. You’ve got more important things to do than listen to a blubbering fool like me.”

“Let me give you some advice,” the nurse said. “I’ve been working this ward a long time, and I’ve seen a lot of patients come and go. Your husband is a proud man. But underneath that pride, he’s scared to death. He’s scared of losing his dignity and his manhood. He’s even more scared of losing you. And that’s the one thing he doesn’t want you to know.”

“But why is he pushing me away?”