LA: Loyalty or Annihilation

Chapter 10

Kristal's POV

"You're Kristal."

Well.

There it is.

"Yes."

Mrs. Montgomery studies me.

I busy myself checking her IV.

Now that she's awake, I can actually look at her.

And God...

She's beautiful.

Long black hair frames an elegant face, and even pale and exhausted in a hospital gown, she's striking.

For one dangerous second, comparison creeps in.

Is this why?

Nope.

Not doing that s**t.

Whatever Shawn did had nothing to do with which one of us was prettier.

"How are you feeling?"

"Nauseous."

"Dizzy?"

"A little."

"Any pain?"

"No."

"Headache?"

"Not really."

I nod.

"The doctor should be here soon with your results."

She continues watching me.

Finally, I meet her eyes.

"Mrs. Montgomery..."

"Jade."

I pause.

"You can call me Jade."

"Okay."

I take a breath.

"Jade... I'm sorry."

Her brows pull together.

"For what?"

"For having a relationship with your husband."

She looks genuinely surprised.

"I didn't know he was married. I swear to you."

"I know."

That catches me off guard.

"You do?"

"Shawn told me."

Of course.

"He told me you didn't know about me."

I nod.

"But I still want to apologize."

"Kristal—"

"You came home expecting your husband and discovered he'd built another life."

Her expression shifts.

"I never would've gotten involved with him if I'd known."

"I believe you."

Something inside me loosens.

"Thank you."

The silence that follows isn't comfortable, but it isn't hostile either.

That's more than I expected.

I glance toward the door.

"The doctor should be here soon. Once he reviews your tests, he'll explain what caused you to pass out."

I step away.

"I'll make sure someone brings Shawn back."

"Kristal."

I stop.

Jade looks like she's made a decision.

"I—"

The door flies open.

Of f*****g course.

---

Jade's POV

She's apologizing to me.

Kristal Jones.

The woman Shawn lied to for five years.

The woman who didn't even know I existed.

And she's apologizing.

I don't know what I expected when I finally met her, but it wasn't this.

It also wasn't the strange realization that we could almost pass for sisters.

Maybe even twins from a distance.

Different hair and eyes. But our complexion, features, and builds are similar enough that the resemblance is impossible to ignore.

Apparently, my husband has a very specific f*****g type.

Fantastic.

Still, photographs didn't do Kristal justice.

She's gorgeous.

But what surprises me more is her sincerity.

"I never would've gotten involved with him if I'd known."

"I believe you."

And I do.

Shawn told me she didn't know. The investigator's timeline supported it.

Kristal wasn't trying to steal anyone's husband.

She loved a man who presented himself as hers to love.

So why the hell is she apologizing to me?

She tells me the doctor should be here soon and starts to leave.

No.

"Kristal."

She stops.

I need to say this.

"You don't—"

The door flies open.

I close my eyes.

You've got to be f*****g kidding me.

---

Shawn's POV

"Mr. Montgomery?"

I'm out of the chair immediately.

"Is she awake?"

"Yes."

"Is she okay?"

"She's awake and responsive. The doctor will discuss her results with you both."

"What happened?"

"I'm not able to give you that information."

"Can I see her?"

"Yes."

I'm already moving.

My mind has been running in circles since they took Jade through those doors.

And, against every bit of common sense I possess, Kristal has been mixed into those thoughts.

I finally saw her.

After a month.

At the absolute worst possible time.

I push the thought aside.

Room three.

I open the door.

"Jade—"

She's awake.

Thank God.

Kristal stands beside her bed.

Both women turn toward me.

"Jade."

I cross the room.

"You scared the s**t out of me."

"I'm okay."

"Are you?"

"I don't know yet."

Her color looks better.

I touch her arm.

Then glance at Kristal.

She immediately steps back.

"I'll give you two some privacy."

"No."

Fuck.

Kristal stops.

Jade looks at me.

"I mean..."

"What, Shawn?"

"Can we talk for a minute?"

"No."

"Kristal, please."

"Not here."

"Then somewhere else."

"No."

"Five minutes."

"Shawn."

That tone should've been enough.

And considering my wife is lying in a hospital bed between us, I should know better.

"I'm sorry."

Kristal reaches for the door.

Jade suddenly covers her mouth.

"Oh God."

"Jade?"

She bends forward.

Kristal moves instantly.

"She's nauseous."

I grab the basin while Kristal raises the bed.

"Here."

Jade gags.

I pull her hair away from her face.

"I hate this."

"I know," Kristal says. "Try to breathe slowly."

Another wave hits.

I rub Jade's back while Kristal checks the monitor.

Then a voice comes from the doorway.

"Looks like I arrived right on time."

We all look up.

And...

Jesus.

The doctor is tall, broad-shouldered, deep brown skin, sharp jaw, perfectly trimmed beard, dark eyes, thick black hair.

The man looks less like a physician and more like somebody modeling a white coat.

He smiles.

Of course he has perfect teeth too.

"Mrs. Montgomery?"

Jade lowers the basin.

"Unfortunately."

He chuckles.

"I'm Dr. Kenny Davidson."

Kristal straightens.

"Her nausea returned suddenly."

His attention shifts to her.

"Thank you..."

"Kristal Jones."

"Kristal."

His gaze lingers for half a beat.

So does hers.

Interesting.

Actually, no.

Not interesting.

Not my business.

I remind myself of that before my brain can do something stupid.

Dr. Davidson approaches Jade's bed with a tablet.

"Well, Mrs. Montgomery, I have your test results."

"What did you find?"

He looks at me.

"And you are?"

"Shawn Montgomery."

I take Jade's hand.

"Her husband."

Dr. Davidson nods.

"All right."

He checks the tablet.

"Mrs. Montgomery, your bloodwork gave us a clear explanation for the nausea, dizziness, and fainting."

Jade squeezes my hand.

"What explanation?"

Dr. Davidson looks directly at her and smiles.

Your pregnant....