Chapter 1
Laura's POV:
Daniel Mercer said no one understood the pain of a long-distance relationship better than he did. After all, he'd spent 3 years traveling between two cities to win me over.
So after we married, he offered to take a week off in early October every year. All 7 days would be mine.
"I'll make up for all the time I couldn't spend with you," he said.
Just before our October break in the fifth year of our marriage, my mother was rushed to the hospital. I asked him to come home 2 days early.
He said he was caught up at work. It was urgent. He couldn't see me until the 4th.
After hanging up, I saw his assistant's post. It was a screenshot of a train ticket for 7 a.m. on October 1st.
The caption read:
Thank you, Mr. Mercer, for coming home with me during your week off to help care for my parents. They even mistook you for their son-in-law.
I sent him a message.
Laura: So the man who understands long-distance relationships best is also an expert at dividing his time. I'm done waiting for you. I'm done with this marriage.
*****
I was holding my mother's IV tubing steady when a nurse pushed open the door to remind me that a family member needed to sign some forms. Just then, my phone chimed.
Daniel had sent a photo of his train ticket. Beside his seat sat a hot coffee Megan Foster had bought him.
Daniel: Don't wait for me. I'll be back on the afternoon of the 4th. I promise.
I stared at the message and asked the nurse, "Does the whole family need to be here for today's tests?"
"Ideally, yes. The doctor will discuss the treatment plan with you this afternoon."
"My husband will be here."
After the nurse left, my mother opened her eyes and felt along the edge of the bed.
"Isn't Danny here yet?"
"Something came up at work. He said he'd be back on the 4th."
"Go home and get some sleep. You can come back tonight."
"I'm not tired."
I propped her pillow higher and took a thermos out of my bag. She drank a little water, then gently tried to reason with me.
"It's only natural that he's busy. He hasn't had much time with his parents since you got married. They must be happy he's visiting."
"I know."
I screwed the lid back on.
At 8 a.m., the doctor handed me the test results. I stood in the hallway and called Daniel.
"Where are you?"
"I told you. Something came up at work."
"Mom's test results are back. The doctor wants to talk to the family."
"Then listen to what the doctor says. You don't have to wait for me to do everything."
"He said he'd prefer both of us to confirm the plan."
"Laura, you're an adult. Do I really have to teach you how to handle this?"
I held on to my pen.
"Daniel, this is Mom's second day in the hospital."
"I know."
"You promised you'd come back."
There was a brief silence. When he spoke again, he lowered his voice.
"Megan's father just had surgery. I can't leave her here on her own."
"What about my mother?"
His voice hardened.
"Do you have to make this a competition right now?"
I bit my lip and kept the words to myself. 'I just want you to come back and be with me.'
"Forget it. I'll let you get back to what you were doing."
"That's better. I'll bring you those shortbread cookies you like when I come home."
Only when the call disconnected did I realize he hadn't even waited for my answer.
That evening, my mother woke up and asked, "Is Daniel here yet?"
"No," I said evenly.
I took the insulated food container out of my bag, unscrewed the lid, and poured the cold soup into the trash.
My mother watched me.
"You made him something to eat when he wasn't even coming?"
"I just packed an extra serving."
"You still shouldn't waste it."
The nurse came to remind me again that I needed to confirm the treatment plan. I picked up my coat and headed for the doctor's office.
