When Hearts Heal

Chapter 28

The sound of beeping monitors and soft chatter filled the pediatric ward as I made my way through the familiar maze of rooms and nurses’ stations. It was a typical day at work, and yet, after last night, everything felt a little brighter, a little lighter.

My mind kept drifting back to Dominic—his smile, that kiss. It was hard to focus, but the buzz of the hospital kept me grounded.

I was just about to check on one of my patients when Katie appeared at my side, clipboard in hand and a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Hey, you’re going to want to hear this,” Katie said, nudging me with an elbow.

I raised an eyebrow, leaning against the counter. “What’s up?”

“Your favorite little guy, Ben? He got discharged this morning.”

A soft pang hit my heart. Ben had been my favorite patient for months, a sweet kid with the most infectious smile despite everything he’d been through. I hated missing the chance to say goodbye.

“Oh no, I wasn’t here! How’s he doing?”

“Good, really good. But…” Katie’s grin widened. “He left something for you. Or rather, someone else did.”

Curiosity piqued, I frowned. “Someone else?”

Katie pulled out an envelope from behind her clipboard, handing it over with a knowing look. “From Ben’s uncle. Thought I should deliver it in person. It looked… important.”

My heart stuttered for a moment as I stared at the envelope in my hands, my name written in neat, unfamiliar handwriting. I hadn’t thought about Ben’s uncle in weeks—not since Dominic had come into my life. But now, holding this letter, all those old feelings came rushing back. The confusion, the hurt of being ghosted, the way I’d replayed every moment we’d spent together, wondering what I’d done wrong.

Katie watched me carefully. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I—” I swallowed, forcing a small smile. “I’m fine. Just wasn’t expecting this.”

“Well, I’ll let you read it in peace.” Katie gave me a soft pat on the shoulder before disappearing down the hallway, leaving me alone with the letter.

Taking a deep breath, I slipped into the empty break room and sank into one of the chairs. Slowly, I opened the envelope and unfolded the letter inside. My eyes scanned the first few lines, and my heart clenched.

Hey... I owe you an explanation.

I swallowed hard and kept reading.

I’m sorry for the way things ended between us. I should’ve called, I know that, but I wasn’t sure how to explain myself. I got a job coaching a college team out of state—one of those offers you can’t turn down—and things moved so fast. But the real reason I didn’t call was because I’m terrible with long distance. My history shows I don’t do well with it, and I didn’t want to lead you on or hurt you by dragging things out when I wasn’t sure it would work.

My chest tightened. So that was it. He hadn’t just disappeared; he’d chosen to walk away before things could get complicated.

You’re amazing, and you deserve someone who can give you everything. I didn’t want to hurt you by trying and failing. I hope you understand. If you’re ever in the area, look me up. I’d love to catch up. – Richard Murray.

Richard Murray.

My breath hitched. Richard. His name. He’d never told me his name before. Not once in all our time together.

I stared at the signature for a long time, feeling a strange mix of emotions swirl inside me—anger, relief, sadness, and something I couldn’t quite place. I had moved on—or at least I thought I had—but seeing his name now, the explanation I’d waited months for, made everything feel raw again.

With a shaky breath, I folded the letter and tucked it back into the envelope. There was nothing left to say. He had made his choice, and so had I. Whatever might have been with Richard was in the past now. I had Dominic, and things with him were real, grounded in the here and now.

Still, I couldn’t shake the weight that settled over me. The letter felt like a door closing, but maybe it was one that had needed to be closed a long time ago.

Taking one last deep breath, I stood up, slipping the letter into my pocket. I wasn’t going to let this throw me off. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I could move forward without looking back.

The rest of my shift passed in a blur, my thoughts lingering on the letter and the emotions it stirred. I did my best to focus on my patients, but my mind kept drifting back to Richard’s words. When my shift finally ended, I couldn’t wait to get home, to clear my head and process everything.

As I walked through the front door of my apartment, I was greeted by the familiar, comforting space that had been my refuge for so long. I tossed my bag on the couch and headed straight for the kitchen, where I made myself a cup of tea, hoping it would help calm my racing thoughts.

Just as I was about to settle down with a book, my phone buzzed on the kitchen counter. I glanced at the screen and saw a text from Dominic.

Hey, hope you had a good day. How about we grab dinner tonight?

A smile tugged at my lips. I hadn’t seen him since our date, and the thought of spending more time with him was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits. I quickly replied, agreeing to meet him at our favorite spot.

The evening air was crisp as I walked to the restaurant. I found Dominic waiting outside, his smile as warm and welcoming as ever. We greeted each other with a hug and a soft kiss on the cheek.

“Hey,” he said, his eyes lighting up. “You look like you’ve had a day.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “You have no idea. It’s been one of those days. But I’m glad to see you.”

We spent the next few hours talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. Dominic was a calming presence, and his attention made me forget the worries of the day. We talked about everything from our favorite movies to plans for the weekend, and I felt a genuine connection with him that I hadn’t realized I needed until now.

As the evening drew to a close, Dominic walked me to my car, his hand warm against mine. He paused by the driver’s side door, looking at me with a soft smile.

“You okay?” he asked, his eyes searching mine.

I hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. “I got a letter today from someone I used to know. It stirred up some old feelings, but talking to you tonight helped me remember what’s important.”

Dominic’s expression softened, and he reached out to gently cup my cheek. “I’m glad I could be here for you. If you ever need to talk or just need a distraction, I’m here.”

I smiled, feeling a wave of relief. “Thank you. It means a lot.”

He leaned in and kissed me, a tender, reassuring kiss that made everything else fade away. When he pulled back, I looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity there.

“I’m looking forward to spending more time with you,” he said softly.

“Me too,” I replied, feeling a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.

As I drove home, I realized that the letter from Richard had given me closure, but it was Dominic who made me feel truly alive. Whatever uncertainties I had about the future, I knew that being with him was where I wanted to be. The past was behind me, and I was ready to embrace the present, with all its possibilities.

When I finally got home, I took out the letter and placed it in a drawer, alongside other memories from the past. It was time to move forward, and with Dominic by my side, I felt ready to face whatever came next.