Even though she was sending the “hands off” signal, he reached out to touch her face. “It means I’m making some changes. I’m nothing without you. You can’t just walk away like all our years together meant nothing to you.”

She took his hand, lowered it from her face and released it. “They meant too much to me. I lost myself in our relationship, and I don’t want that anymore. I’m happy with Cal. He sees me in a way that you never did. And I’m sorry if it hurts you to hear this, but I’m going to marry him in October.”

Grant shook his head. “You can’t marry him, Abby. It’s all wrong, and you know that.”

“I’m asking you to respect my decision.”

“How can I do that when you’re ruining both our lives?”

She shook her head. “I’m not ruining my life. If yours isn’t what you want it to be, I can’t take responsibility for that. Not anymore.” Glancing at his father, she said, “Please tell your dad I was here and give him my love. I have to go now.” She spun around and left the room.

Grant followed her. “Abby, wait! Don’t go.”

She turned and stopped him with a hand to his chest. Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears as she looked up at him. “I loved you so much,” she whispered. “There was nothing I wouldn’t have done for you, but it’s over now. Please let me go.”

Stunned, Grant stood in the corridor and watched her until she was out of sight. He couldn’t believe what she’d just said. How could it be over when they were supposed to have forever together? His stomach ached, and his head pounded, but his heart felt like it had been ripped out of his chest and run over by a truck.

Returning to his father’s room, he stopped short when he saw Stephanie waiting for him.

She lowered her eyes as if she was embarrassed by what she’d just witnessed. “So much for acting like you don’t care.” She thrust a carafe at him. “Drink this. It’ll make you feel better.”

“As if anything can make me feel better.” He took the container from her and opened it. The smell of whatever she’d concocted had his stomach surging. Recoiling, he thrust it back at her. “The cure is definitely worse than the ailment.”

She pushed it back to him. “Trust me. It works.”

“If I barf all over the place, I’m blaming you.”

The frightened look she gave him made Grant feel like he’d kicked a puppy. “I’m just kidding.”

“I know that,” she said but didn’t look convinced.

Mac came down the hallway looking rattled and zeroed in on Grant. “Oh good. There you are. I need a favor.”

“Sure. Anything.”