Page 216 of True Blue

“I honestly can’t remember the last time I was scared of the floor dropping out from under me.”

Happiness used to feel so fleeting. Like I should not get myself too excited because it’ll just be taken away eventually.

“Even if…” I swallow hard, and Teddy reaches out to cradle my cheek, his thumb brushing over my cheekbone. “Even if they take it away, I will be okay. I’ll adapt. It’s what I’m good at. We will be okay.”

“They’re not going to take it away,” Teddy says, shaking his head.

“You’re very confident.”

“I am,” Teddy nods. “You are the most brilliant doctor. They would be morons to take you away from the patients who need you.”

My mouth curves at his words, letting the warmth that accompanies them settle in my chest.

But then I reach out to Teddy and cup his bearded cheek. My eyes trail over the cuts on his face, and the warmth grows hotter, sharpens into anger.

After the scene outside the conference room, after what Teddy told me happened last night, after hearing that Dawn threw a fucking bottle at his head, it is taking every ounce of self-control I possess not to hunt that woman down and give her an injury that actually requires my medical expertise.

“Teddy…”

He sighs deeply at my look, like he’s reading my mind.

“That was validating,” he admits. “She was always so careful to keep up appearances, but… that’s who she is. I just wish I had seen it sooner.”

“Please don’t linger there,” I whisper, shaking my head. “You saw it. That’s the important part. You saw it, and you stood up for yourself. She can’t leash you anymore.”

Teddy smiles faintly and kisses my palm.

“Do you remember when I showed you The Witches?”

“Yes.” Teddy makes a face and shudders. “You showed me that movie before we went to bed, and it gave me nightmares for a week.”

I smile. “But do you remember how they all took their faces off and revealed their true selves? The disguises were glamorous women, but underneath…”

“Horrifying?” Teddy offers, smiling.

“Yes. I like to think of your mother like that.”

“It was very close to that last night,” Teddy says, shaking his head before pausing for a long moment. His smile fades into something quieter. “I’m proud of myself. For standing up to her. For saying it all out loud.”

“Do you feel closure?”

“I’ll feel closure when the restraining order is filed,” he says. “But for now, I feel satisfied. You’re safer.”

“And so are you.”

“And so am I.” His eyes darken slightly. “She’ll never have that kind of hold over me again. And she’ll never get that close to you again, Indie.”

“I believe you,” I whisper.

And I do.

I believe him so deeply, it’s like a fact of life—the sky is blue, the grass is green, and Teddy will always keep me safe.

Teddy holds up his phone to show me the time. My heart jumps when I see it’s approaching four, the time they said they would reach a final decision. “We should head back.”

I nod, standing from the table and immediately reaching for Teddy’s outstretched hand.

As we walk out of the café, probably for the last time, I let the fresh air soothe my nerves. Teddy wraps an arm around my shoulder and kisses my temple.