Flashback #4
I never expected I would come to love an hospital room.
The hospital room was so different to the Vaughn mansion—small, cramped, but warmer in every way that mattered. Jules was propped up in bed, his face pale but his eyes alight with something I hadn’t seen in weeks: hope.
"Look who’s getting his color back," I teased, setting the takeout bag on the bedside table. "Thought you’d want something edible for a change."
He grinned weakly, reaching for the container. "God bless you, Rem. If I see one more tray of hospital meatloaf, I might throw myself out the window."
"Considering we’re on the first floor, that’s not much of a threat," I quipped, sitting down in the chair beside him.
Jules chuckled, the sound a little strained but genuine. It warmed me in a way I hadn’t felt in weeks.
We ate in comfortable silence for a while, the hum of hospital monitors filling the gaps. I watched as Jules devoured his burger, his appetite finally returning after weeks of nausea.
"You’re a lifesaver," he said between bites. "Seriously. I don’t know how you put up with all this."
"All this meaning what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He hesitated, his expression turning serious. "Everything. The marriage. Rowan. The… sacrifices."
My chest tightened, but I forced a smile. "It’s not so bad."
"Don’t lie to me, Rem," Jules said, his voice soft but firm. "I know you. I know when you’re hurting."
I looked away, suddenly fascinated by the scuff marks on the floor. "It doesn’t matter," I said. "You’re getting better. That’s what matters."
"It matters to me," he said, his tone sharper now. "You’re throwing your life away for me. I can’t—"
"Stop," I interrupted, turning back to face him. "You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to feel guilty for something that wasn’t your fault."
"But it is my fault," he insisted. "If I wasn’t sick—"
"You’d still be my family," I said, cutting him off. "And I’d still do whatever it takes to keep you safe."
Jules stared at me for a long moment, his eyes glistening. "I don’t deserve you," he whispered.
"Don’t be stupid," I said, my voice cracking.
\---
He reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he took mine. "I hate that you’re stuck with him," he said, his voice barely audible. "He’s… he’s not good for you, Rem."
I swallowed hard, the truth of his words like a weight on my chest. "It’s not forever," I said, squeezing his hand.
"But how long can you last?" Jules asked, his eyes searching mine. "How long before he breaks you?"
"I won’t let him," I said firmly, more for my own benefit than his.
Jules sighed, leaning back against the pillows. "You’re stronger than I’ll ever be," he murmured.
"No, I’m just stubborn," I said, forcing a smile. "There’s a difference."
The conversation shifted after that, moving to lighter topics. Jules told me about the nurse who had a terrible sense of humor but a heart of gold, and I told him about the dog I saw on my way to the hospital, its tongue lolling out as it chased a squirrel.
For a while, it felt almost normal. Almost.
As the sun began to set, casting the room in a warm, golden light, Jules grew quiet.
"Rem?" he said after a long pause.
"Yeah?"
He hesitated, his gaze fixed on the blanket. "Promise me something."
"Anything," I said without thinking.
"Promise me you won’t let him ruin you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Promise me you’ll find a way out when the time comes."
I blinked, the sudden sting of tears catching me off guard. "Jules, I—"
"Promise me," he said again, his eyes locking onto mine.
I nodded slowly, my throat too tight to speak.
The door creaked open, and we both turned to see a nurse poking her head in. "Visiting hours are almost over," she said with an apologetic smile.
I stood, leaning down to kiss Jules on the forehead. "I’ll see you tomorrow," I said softly.
"Don’t forget the fries," he said with a faint grin.
I laughed, though it sounded more like a sob. "You’ve got it."
As I walked out of the hospital, the cool evening air hit my face, and I took a deep breath. For the first time in weeks, I felt something close to peace.
But that peace shattered the moment I stepped into the mansion.
The sound of laughter greeted me before I even reached the living room. My stomach churned as I rounded the corner, and there he was—Rowan, sitting on the couch with another woman.
She was draped over him, her long legs stretched across his lap, a glass of wine in her hand.
I froze, my pulse pounding in my ears.
Rowan looked up, his expression unreadable. "You’re back," he said, his tone casual, as if this were normal.
"What is this?" I asked, my voice trembling.
The woman smirked, taking a sip of her wine. "Oh, she’s adorable," she said, her voice dripping with mockery.
I ignored her, my eyes locked on Rowan. "Do you enjoy this?" I asked, my voice rising. "Humiliating me? Rubbing it in my face?"
"Don’t start," he said, his tone bored.
"Don’t start?" I repeated, my voice shaking with anger. "You’re unbelievable."
Rowan stood, gently moving the woman off his lap. "Go upstairs, Remi," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
"No," I said, crossing my arms. "I’m not going anywhere."
The woman stood, brushing imaginary lint off her designer dress. "She’s feisty," she said with a laugh. "I like her."
"Get out," Rowan snapped, his tone so sharp it made her flinch.
She pouted but didn’t argue, grabbing her purse and sauntering toward the door.
Once we were alone, Rowan turned to me, his jaw tight. "Don’t ever embarrass me like that again," he said, his voice cold.
"Embarrass you?" I shouted. "You bring random women into this house, and I’m the one embarrassing you?"
He stepped closer, his towering presence overwhelming. "This is my house, Remi. My life. Don’t forget why you’re here."
"I’m here because I had no choice!" I yelled, my voice cracking.
"Exactly," he said, his eyes narrowing. "So stay in your lane and play your part."
I glared at him, my chest heaving. "One day, Rowan, you’re going to regret this," I said, my voice trembling with barely contained rage.
He smirked, his expression infuriatingly smug. "Don’t hold your breath."
That night, as I sat alone in my room, Jules’ words echoed in my mind.
Promise me you won’t let him ruin you.
I clenched my fists, the an
ger bubbling inside me like a storm.
If Rowan thought I was going to break, he was wrong.
He’d made a mistake.
He’d underestimated me.
But then again...what can I do?
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