lies lies lies || book three

chapter twenty one

Panic internally spread through her body making the monitor erratically beat. Fuck she forgot he was her emergency contact. As the door opened, she tried to fix up her disheveled appearance as if that was even possible. But she was greeted with a face she wasn't expecting, "Mr. Wallen here's your wife".

Jack held flowers in his hands as he walked towards her and the nurse stepped out to close the door, "This was the only way they would let me see you".

"How did you know?" Laney croaked, her voice laced with... disappointment.

"My parents own the building so when the ambulance came and paramedics said Laney Wallen called, I ran here right away. Why did you lie about going back?" Jack sat on the edge of the bed after handing her the flowers.

Laney gently placed them on the side table, "I'm sorry. I'm just embarrassed. I really didn't want you to worry about me during the holidays or anyone actually. I have really liked staying alone".

Although she was somewhat glad that someone came to check on her, she was hoping it would be someone else walking through that door. Damn. Did he not care enough to show up when his wife... ex-wife.... was in the hospital? What was he doing right now? Did he ask to be removed as her emergency contact? Did Morgan hate her that much now? She wanted to cry at the idea of him never wanting to see her again.

"Laney they asked me if you were suicidal, that's the shape your body is in. It looked like you're starving yourself," Jack refuted her comments.

Her eyes welled up in tears, "I'm not. I have been throwing up a lot because of the baby and stress".

He put his hand on hers, "It's going to be okay. I'll be here to support you through this as a friend. I mean it".

She nodded, "How was your Christmas? I'm sorry for ruining it".

Jack laughed, "Laney I was only a few blocks down the road. My parents live around here. It was nothing special. We like to watch the Home Alone movies and open presents near the fireplace. They got me a watch and a new jacket," he flashed his wrist at her.

Holding his wrist she examined the black watch which was lightly encrusted with some diamonds, "This is a nice watch" she complimented him.

He thanked her before speaking again, "You need to let people help. You could have easily come to my family, they wouldn't have minded".

Before she could speak, the door opened, and the nurse looked slightly panicked. Laney examined her expression in puzzlement. "Sorry about that, there's another visitor here. Should I let him in?" the nurse asked.

Laney's eyes softened as she nodded before looking at Jack with compassion, "Thank you, Jack".

He nodded, "Of course Laney. Always here for you".

As Jack got up to walk out, a familiar aroma dissipated throughout the room as someone else walked in. Nothing would have prepared her for the scent let alone the sight in front of her. The familiar polished Tecova boots made headway into the room as she took in the presence in front of her. Was she hallucinating about this? Did the doctors drug her?

"So you're the fucking imposter," Morgan scoffed at Jack, "I was surprised when Mr. Wallen was already here". There was a pettiness laced in his voice as he started Jack down, if looks could kill Jack would be in his grave.

No hallucination. He was here. He was really here.

Laney slapped her hand on her face from embarrassment, "Sorry about that Jack, you can-".

"This is who you wanted to divorce me for?" Morgan asked softly with fury etched in his voice as he scrutinized him, keeping his focus on Jack, "Get the fuck out, John".