Till Death Do Us Part

Prologue

"How exactly did you manage to hurt yourself like this again?" the scruffy doctor asked, examining Jack Wells's swollen arm.

The twenty-two year old sighed with clear embarrassment, his cheeks becoming tinged with red the more he spoke. "I fell down a flight of stairs. Really wish I could tell you something better."

Although Jack tried not to think too much into it, he could've sworn that, from the gray chair he was sitting on, he saw the ER doctor crack a smile. As he carefully set the casted, splinted arm into a sling, Jack winced at the sharp pain that crackled from his forearm to his shoulder.

"We'll get you some painkillers here, then we'll get a lighter dosage sent to your pharmacy," the doctor informed him, standing up from the small swivel stool he had been sitting on. Before walking out of the room, the older man commented, "Best of luck, Jack. Watch out for those stairs."

Once the door shut, Jack groaned, his head falling back against the wall. He stared up at the tiled ceiling, sitting in silence. While the medical bills were nothing he had to worry about due to his wealthy upbringing, he was not excited for the recovery process he'd have to sit through for the next couple months. With no job, he knew he'd be bored out of his mind. As he considered the outcome of his situation, a small knock pattered against the emergency room's wooden door.

"Hello there," a woman in scrubs greeted as she made her way into the room, some pills and a paper cup in her hands. "Doctor Boyum told you about these, I'm sure. They're just some painkillers to get you moving until you can get some consistency with your pharmaceuticals you'll be picking up."

Jack, with about as much anticipation as a tortoise, finally lowered his head to look at the nurse who was extending the items to him. Once again, he could feel his cheeks becoming warm. The woman in front of him was someone he had never seen before in their small Wisconsin town. Her beauty was overwhelming to him. She had a pale complexion, her sharp cheekbones highlighting her distinct features. Her auburn hair was pulled into a slicked ponytail. Her natural attraction nearly made her intimidating to look at, Jack concluded. His eyes grazed her name tag resting on her left breast, which stated in bold letters: 'Ariana'.

"Your face matches your hair," she said with a small grin, motioning with her head for him to take the water and pills from her hands. Jack reached out, taking ahold of the pills. He tore his eyes off of her and attempted to swallow the medication, which proved to be quite a feat with only one usable hand.

When he had downed the water, he cleared his throat before replying with, "Well that's a bit rude, don't you think?"

"It wasn't rude. Just stating a fact," the woman shrugged. Jack couldn't deny that his loose, red curls were one of the first things people noticed about him and one of the only things they remembered.

"Right. Is there anything else that needs to be done? Some examinations, maybe?"

"Is that supposed to be flirty?" The woman's eyes slightly narrowed, but she did not look annoyed.

"Take it as you will," Jack shadowed the woman's shrug.

"No, there's nothing left for you to do. Just listen to what Doctor Boyum told you. Drink plenty of water and get lots of rest. Don't lift anything with that arm for about twelve weeks other than what's instructed in physical therapy. Any questions?" The nurse reached out for the cup, tossing into the trash can. At that moment, Jack noticed a sparkly ring on her left hand. His eyes widened slightly, but truthfully, he didn't think much of it. It hadn't been the first time he had found himself with a wedded woman, and as far as he was aware, she was reciprocating his interest.

"Your number would be nice. Y'know... for when I get home. I might need a nurse if I hurt myself... or some medical advice. You never know what could happen," Jack coaxed with a smirk, slipping his phone out from his sweatpants pocket. With a few swift taps, he reached out, offering her his phone. The contacts screen was open, awaiting her information.

The nurse hesitated. She looked from him to the phone screen back to him again, clearly debating the situation in her head. It took her a decent bit of consideration but after a couple minutes, she took the phone from him, tapping in her name and number.

Mrs. Ariana Edwards.