My Husband’s Countdown Dropped When She Smiled At Him Chapter 09

My Husband’s Countdown Dropped When She Smiled At Him Chapter 09

Owen’s fever turned into acute pneumonia.

He was in the hospital, unconscious for a full day and night.

His best friend, Brett Carson, called me.

The second I picked up, he started screaming.

“Nora, do you even have a heart?”

“Owen almost died for you, and you can’t even come see him?”

“He was calling your name while he was burning up with fever! Do you want him to actually die before you’re satisfied?”

I held the phone away from my ear until he finished.

“Brett.”

I kept my voice even.

“He’s an adult. Standing in the rain was his choice.”

“If he dies, that’s on him. Not me.”

Brett sucked in a breath.

“You’re cold, Nora.”

“Yeah,” I said. “I am.”

I hung up.

But I did go to the hospital.

Not because my heart softened.

Because I knew if I didn’t shut this down completely, he’d keep pulling these stunts forever.

In the hospital room, Owen lay pale in the bed with an IV in his arm.

Brett was sitting nearby. When he saw me walk in, he snorted and walked out.

The door closed.

Owen’s eyes fluttered open.

When he saw it was me, something exploded behind his eyes. Pure, desperate joy.

“Nora…”

He tried to sit up.

I walked over and put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

“Don’t move.”

His skin was cold.

Owen grabbed my hand with both of his. Held on like I was the last good thing left in the world.

“I knew it,” he said, a weak smile pulling at his mouth. “I knew you still cared.”

I looked at his face. Fragile from being sick.

And at the number above his head. Still sitting steady at ten years.

“Owen.”

I let him hold my hand. Didn’t pull away.

“I came here to tell you something.”

Owen’s smile froze.

His eyes went wide with fear.

“Don’t,” he whispered. “Nora. Please. Don’t say it.”

“I’m here to say goodbye.”

I looked into his eyes and said it clearly.

“I bought a ticket. Day after tomorrow. I’m leaving Crestwood.”

Owen looked like he’d been shot.

“Where?”

He jerked upright, ignoring the IV. Blood backed up into the tube.

He didn’t even seem to feel it.

“You’re leaving? You’re leaving me?”

“Yes.”

I nodded, calm.

“Tomorrow’s the last day of the waiting period.”

“Nine in the morning. I’ll be at the County Clerk’s Office.”

“We finish this. And then we’re done.”

Tears rolled down Owen’s face.

This proud, arrogant man was crying in front of me.

“I won’t do it!”

His voice was raw, like a trapped animal.

“I won’t sign. You’re not getting rid of me.”

I watched him fall apart.

And I felt nothing. Not even satisfaction. Just exhaustion.

“Owen. Stop.” I peeled his fingers off my hand, one by one.

“Keep what’s left of your dignity.”

I turned toward the door. “If you don’t show up tomorrow.”

I stopped but didn’t look back. “You’ll never see me again.”