He let go of her sharply, as if she had scorched him, and stepped back. He needed to stop touching her. “I’m not the man for you. You deserve much more than...me.”

The door to the waiting area opened, and Sajan entered. Daniel’s heart fell into his stomach as the surgeon approached.

“He’s fine.” Sajan addressed Annika’s parents. “His lungs will take a few weeks to heal, but we’ll be monitoring him closely.”

Annika’s parents slumped against each other in relief, both of them tearing up. “Thank you, Sajan!” her father croaked out. “I knew he would be okay under your care. We owe you a debt of gratitude.”

“Actually, Uncle, if it hadn’t been for the quick thinking of his medics—” Sajan nodded in Daniel’s direction “—I wouldn’t have had much to work with.” He smiled at Annika’s father. “I need to get back.”

Daniel turned to find Annika watching him. “See,” she said, relief playing on her face, “he’s fine—and thanks to you.” Her hands shook as she reached for him.

Daniel craved nothing more than to allow her to wrap him in her arms, to believe in the fantasy that he could have a family, that he could have her. But that was exactly what it was. A fantasy. He had to stop lying to her. And to himself. He stepped out of her reach, because if she touched him now, he would cave. He would give in to his stupid heart and try to live the fantasy.

“No, Annika, don’t. I’m not the one for you.”

Panic rippled through him at the finality of losing his best source of comfort, of not having Annika by his side. He steeled himself, fought the lump that poked at the back of his throat. “Naya’s right. Sajan can make you happy. Give you the life you deserve. I can’t.” He stepped farther back from her, lest he be tempted to touch her again.

“Daniel, you can get help. You only need to ask.” She was pleading with him now.

He couldn’t allow her to do that. He wasn’t worth it.

He shook his head at her. “There’s no help for me.”

“Are you serious?” She narrowed her eyes and threw her next words at him in a low growl. “You’re going to break up with me. In the—” her breath hitched “—hospital?”

The implication was clear. He was no better than Steven. Let her be angry. Anger was easier to deal with.

He spun around and walked toward the elevators, resisting the temptation to look back at her. If he looked, he’d take it all back and ask her to marry him.

That was lost to him now. Forever.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

ANNIKA