Page 75 of The Payback Adventure
Stop.
Guilt coated her throat. She shouldn’t worry about money while Caitlin lay in that bed, fighting for her life. They would have plenty of time to figure out the finances.
Still, Elisabeth felt as if she hung by a thread. She was brokenhearted and hurting because of Caitlin and Henry.
Forget about Henry. Concentrate on Caitlin. She was so small and fragile and pale. She was the one who needed Elisabeth.
“You’re my little girl. I love you so much. You must get better. I don’t think I could take it if one more person I love went away.” Elisabeth rested her head on the bed. The rhythm of the machines was almost hypnotic but far from soothing. “Wake up, Caitlin. Please wake up.”
Elisabeth sensed a presence behind her. One of the nurses who sat in the central core area where they monitored and watched the patients?
Hands touched her shoulders, and she knew.
Henry.
She inhaled sharply. Every muscle tensed. Relief mixed with frustration, and she wavered. But she knew after discovering the truth, the only thing she could do was erect a wall between them to keep from being hurt more.
“Sam and Abby are in the waiting room with my friends,” Henry began. “The report from the doctor sounds promising.”
Elisabeth focused on the icy fear twisting in her stomach and the panic rioting inside her. “Caitlin’s still not awake.”
“Give her time.”
Elisabeth was furious at her vulnerability to Henry. She hated that she needed his reassurance. She shouldn’t want or need anything from him. “What if time is running out?”
The question stabbed at her heart. The prognosis was good, but she was still so frightened, so worried. And to have Henry show up… She trembled.
Henry squeezed Elisabeth’s shoulders. “It won’t.”
Not for Caitlin, Elisabeth prayed. But for herself and Henry…
She wanted to hurt him, but she wanted to make him want her at the same time. “I know who you are.” Her voice sounded steadier than she felt. “When were you going to tell me the truth?”
He hesitated.
Loneliness and confusion, frustration and anger welded together. But she had her pride. He couldn’t take that from her. “I deserved the truth. Then and now.”
She felt the breath he drew.
“The truth,” he agreed. “I didn’t plan to tell you.”
She didn’t think it was possible to feel any more pain. She’d been wrong.
“Ever?” She held her breath.
Again, that slight hesitation. “No.”
Her heart died within her. She’d always known. But to hear him say it…
She didn’t fall into a heap. She didn’t slump in her chair.Instead, her blood boiled. Her cheeks grew hot with humiliation. She pinned him with her eyes. “You were just going to leave.”
“Elisabeth…”
She pressed her lips together. “The truth.”
“Okay. I was planning to leave. But—”
“I don’t want to hear any of your excuses.” She spat out the words. “Just go back to your world and leave us alone.”
