Torn [A Robert Downey Jr. Fan-Fic]

Chapter 32

4 weeks later...

I sat down on the cold ground of my new room, leaning my back against the wall behind as I closed my eyes.
There was this pain inside of me. A pain worse all the injuries I had endured.
Heartache.

Immediately, my eyes filed with tears.

I wrapped my arms around my body, trying to soothe the pain as I tried to catch my breath.

"Mum?"

I looked up and quickly wiped away my tears.

"Elsa", I sobbed and faked a smile.

"Mum, are you okay? Are you hurt?", she asked anxiously.

Since I've been back home, she's always been afraid I was hurt when she caught me crying.

"No, sweetheart", I answered quietly, "I'm fine. It's just... Don't worry about me."

She nodded slightly and sat down next to me, leaning her head against my shoulder.

"I'm sorry", she whispered and grabbed my hand before our fingers intertwined.

I faked another smile, gently caressing her cheek.

"What do you think about going to the mall?", I suggested then and wiped away the last tears, "I still need some ideas for your birthday next week..."

She giggled quietly and jumped up again, reaching out for my hand.

"Come on", she said then, "Let's go to the mall!"

*Nathan's P.O.V.*

I sat in my office, going through some medical files of the last months when suddenly...

Kate Williams.

I took a deep breath and opened her file. Bruised bones, bruises and a subdural hematoma, not to forget about her miscarriage. Four years in a coma and cardiac arrest. And as if that was not enough at all, her husband had tried to choke her and they got divorced. All this emotional pressure...
She's been through so much!

Suddenly, I felt like a giant jerk!

In addition to all those problems, I had to apply pressure to her as well.

I ran my fingers through my hair and buried my head in my hands.

She was broken and needed a friend. And I abandoned her because she couldn't tell me that she loved me?

Jerk!

I quickly put away the files on my desk and exited my office.

"Erica?"

She turned around.

"Yes, Dr. Stark?"

"Please, cancel my appointments for today", I told her as I put on my coat, "And tell Dr. Abrams to do my surgeries!"

She nodded and wrote down what I've just told her.

"Uhm, where are you going, Dr. Stark?", she wanted to know.

I shrugged and chuckled.

Wherever it takes me...

-

"Rose?", I asked and knocked at her door, "Rose, please open!"

Nervously, I looked around until the door finally opened.

"Nathan", she said in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

"Where's Kate?", I said instead, "Please, I need to talk to her. Urgently!"