The Rose Wilted, The Marriage Followed Chapter 07

The Rose Wilted, The Marriage Followed Chapter 07

The transfer paperwork was processed quickly.

Arthur personally reviewed the transfer plan.

Every risk had been accounted for. He’d even listed three backup medication protocols for the ride to Southbridge.

The nurse handed me the file and lowered her voice.

“Dr. Sterling was up all night working on this.”

I took the document.

“Thank you.”

The nurse opened her mouth, then stopped.

“Mrs. Sterling, Dr. Sterling really does…”

“Could you page Dr. Thorne for me?”

The nurse closed her mouth.

Julian arrived within minutes. He reviewed the paperwork and signed the last page.

Arthur stood a few feet away, watching Julian sign.

He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

“I’ve arranged the medical transport.”

I nodded.

“I’ll settle the hospital bill.”

“Eleanor, do we really have to do it like this? Like we’re complete strangers?”

“Yes.”

He had nothing to say to that.

I slid the paperwork into my bag.

“From now on, everything goes through official channels. Medical decisions. Billing. All of it. Dr. Sterling, you’re her former attending. Not family.”

Arthur stared at me.

“Do you really have to shut me out completely?”

I glanced at him.

“You’re the one who left first.”

He fell silent.

Across the corridor, a cluster of nurses were talking quietly.

“I heard psych took over Clara’s care. Apparently, Dr. Sterling isn’t taking her calls anymore.”

“About time. That whole situation was completely inappropriate.”

“Poor Mrs. Sterling. Her own mom got bumped on the day of surgery because of all this.”

They weren’t loud. But sound carries in hospital hallways.

The color drained from Arthur’s face.

He was finally hearing what everyone else already knew.

I’d been carrying those words alone for longer than I could remember.

When the transport ambulance arrived, they brought my mom out.

Arthur stepped forward and leaned over her.

“Mom, take care on the ride. I’ve already spoken with the team at Southbridge. If Eleanor needs anything, she can call me anytime.”

My mom looked at him.

“Arthur, don’t call me that anymore.”

Arthur’s body stiffened.

Her voice was barely above a breath.

“You’re a good doctor, Arthur. But you were never the husband she needed.”

His eyes reddened.

“I’m sorry.”

My mom closed her eyes.

“You should have said that a long time ago.”

The transport crew wheeled her toward the elevator.

I followed.

Arthur pulled a small box from his pocket.

“Eleanor.”

I stopped.

He opened the box.

Inside was a white rose brooch.

Platinum petals. A tiny diamond in the center.

“I was going to give it to you on our anniversary. But then…”

He didn’t finish.

I looked at that brooch.

Three years ago, I’d paused in front of a jewelry store window.

I’d said something about how pretty a white rose would look as jewelry. How it would never fade.

Arthur had gotten a call from the hospital and rushed off.

I thought he hadn’t heard me.

He had.

He was just late. Like he always was.

“Keep it.”

I told him, not reaching for it.

Something in his eyes broke.

“You don’t want it anymore?”

The elevator doors slowly opened.

I rested my hand on the bed rail. My voice came out barely above a whisper.

“It’s too late for flowers.”

The doors closed.

Arthur stood on the other side, holding a white rose that would never fade.

But I didn’t want it anymore.