When the doctor returned, he asked us to wait outside so the nurses could properly do their job. At first, Stacey didn’t want to leave Missy’s side. I didn’t blame her. I didn’t trust this doctor, but we didn’t really have a choice.

“Come on,” I urged, squeezing her shoulders. “She’ll be back to her happy little self in no time.”

Stacey was hesitant but eventually allowed me to guide her toward the waiting room.

The minutes seemed to tick by ever so slowly.

“Do you want me to get you anything?” I asked, gesturing toward the vending machine.

She shook her head.

I got up anyway, buying two candy bars. I handed her one.

She took it. “Why are you so nice to me…? I don’t get it.” Her eyes were watery. “Everyone who has ever been nice to me has always wanted something in return,” she whispered. “I’m afraid that you’re going to be like all the rest.”

I turned, gripping her arms in my hands. When she refused to look at me, I tilted her head, my finger under her chin. “Stacey,” I started. “Not everyone is out to try to use you. I promise you that I’m never going to do such a thing.” I cupped her cheek in my palm, my thumb caressing her skin. “Won’t you believe me?”

Eventually, she nodded, once again falling into my embrace. I held her tight, cherishing the feeling of her small, fragile body against mine. Somehow, it felt right – like she belonged there.

“I’ll never hurt you,” I murmured into her ear.

She nodded once more. “I know…”

I smiled, running my fingers through her hair. For a while, we just stayed like that, holding each other. I vowed that no matter what, I would be there for her. I would be the anchor she needed among the turbulent sea that was her life.

But the longer we just stood in that waiting room, the more impatient I got. “Stacey.”

She looked up at me, her hazel eyes tired and fatigued.

For a second, I reconsidered what I was about to tell her. It wasn’t news she needed to hear – at least not now.

And yet, it was something I needed to know. Ever since she’d told me about the asshole who’d left her, I had made it my mission to track him down. He needed to be taught a lesson, and if no one else was going to do it, then it fell on my shoulders.

“What…?”

“Can you tell me if you recognize this man?” I pulled out my phone, showing her a picture.

Instantly, her body tensed, and she pushed away from me. “H-How do you have his picture?” she spat out, her eyes now full of suspicion.

“Look, to put things simply, I work for a company where it’s easy to find people. When you told me that your boyfriend had left you, it made me so angry. No woman should go through what you’ve been through. I thought I’d do some digging and see if I could find him –”

“And do what? What are you going to do, Ned?” She shook her head. “Teach him a lesson? Then you’d be no better than he is.” She took my hands in hers, cradling them against her chest. “Please, just stay out of it. Things are better that way. He isn’t worth the trouble anymore.”

Before I could say anything else, Stacey’s name was called.

She rushed up to the nurse who held Missy in her arms. “Her fever has gone down for now. We’re sending you home with some medicine. Make sure to give it to her every four hours for as long as the fever continues. If any other symptoms appear, please give us a call.” The nurse offered a sympathetic smile. “Good luck.”

Stacey nodded, a look of relief washing over her face when she held her baby once again.

Standing beside her, I stuffed my phone back into my pocket. It had been stupid of me to bring up Emil at a time like this. What had I been thinking? Stacey was right. He wasn’t worth our time. Still, deep down, I knew that if I ever saw him, I couldn’t be held liable for the things that might happen to him. Just thinking about it filled me with a deep hatred.

Men like him were the lowest scum on Earth.

“Ned?” Stacey looked at me.

I blinked. “Yes?”

“We can go home now. Didn’t you hear the nurse?”

“Oh, right. Sorry.” I headed for the exit, knowing she would follow.

* * *

Once we were back home, I saw Stacey to her door. I was about to walk away when she grabbed my hand. “Wait.”

I tilted my head in her direction. “What is it? Is something the matter?”

Her grip tightened, and she bit her lip as if she was struggling with some inner turmoil. This made me nervous. Had I done something wrong? “Look… I’m sorry I brought Emil up –”

She shook her head, stopping me in my tracks. “It’s not about him.” She took a deep breath. “Do you mind… staying with me?”

I just stared at her.

What?

I must be hearing things.

“Of course, if you don’t want to… you don’t have to… it’s just…” Her cheeks were burning with blush. “I could just… use the company.”

Without thinking about it, I took her into my arms, holding her tight against my chest. “Of course I’ll stay,” I whispered. “Whatever you need.” For a while, I didn’t let go. I felt like I could hold her for the rest of time.

Eventually, however, she wiggled away. “Let me just check on Missy really quickly.”

As soon as she left, I was hit with the reality of the moment.

Stacey had asked me to stay.

Was she implying…? No. I was getting ahead of myself.

She just wanted some company. That’s all it was. Nothing more. It would never be something more.