NOT ROYALE ENOUGH [18+]

43

CHRIS

Something wasn’t right.

I could feel it. Maybe I was overthinking it.

But her eyes—they never lied.

She led me toward the doctor’s office, her hand never leaving mine. I held on a little tighter, silently urging her to look at me. To see me. But she hadn't been herself since I told her I wasn’t leaving. Maybe she thought a guy like me wouldn’t want to involve himself in her problems.

Maybe she thought I wouldn’t care—because I’d already had her.

Oh, how wrong she was.

“This is it,” she murmured as we stopped in front of the doctor’s door. I reached for the handle, ready to open it for her, but she caught my arm, stopping me.

"I'm going in alone. Wait for me here, please.”

Seriously? She was still doing this.

Even after everything…

I thought she’d let me in by now. I thought she’d trust me enough to let me be there for her.

“I’m not pushing you away,” she said softly, but her voice wavered. “I just want to do this first. Then we can talk. Okay?”

Okay.

She wasn’t chasing me away. That was something.

I nodded. “I’ll be here.” I forced a smile, opening the door for her like any gentleman would. But my eyes stayed on her, searching for any sign, any crack in her mask that would let me see what she was feeling.

It hurt to see her like this. I knew exactly what it was like—watching someone you love suffer, doing everything to create a safe space for them, only for it to fall apart.

“You’re still holding my hand.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, and when I looked down, I realized I was gripping her fingers like a lifeline. Her eyes flickered to our joined hands, then darted around, like she’d just noticed people might be watching. A soft red flushed across her cheeks.

I should let go.

I didn’t want to.

"Oh. Sorry," I said, but I made no move to release her.

Fuck. How attached had I gotten?

I cared too much. Too damn much. And yet, it still didn’t feel like enough. I wanted to hold her, shield her, give her everything no one else had. I wanted to take care of her, the way no other man ever had. To worship her, to make her feel so much she’d never question my devotion again.

With effort, I loosened my grip and let her go. The warmth of her skin lingered in my palm like an ache.

"You can go in now," I said softly.