His Gift Was For Her, I Left

Chapter 4

The doctor said I'd wrecked my stomach from all the irregular eating. Skipping meals, running on coffee, the whole deal.

Dax never came back after he left. Just sent a text saying he had to fly out to see some "important client".

I didn't tell my parents. Didn't want them worrying. So the only one keeping me company in that hospital room was my bestie, Margo.

Margo sat beside me, peeling an apple, and launched into her usual lecture. "I told you. Eat like a normal human being. But no, you had to go and collapse. Happy now?"

I gave her a tired smile. "You know how it is in this industry. If you blink, someone younger and hungrier takes your spot. I'm barely hanging on as it is."

She handed me a slice. "Then quit. You've got Dax. It's not like you're gonna be broke."

I went quiet. Just chewed my apple and stared at the wall.

Margo picked up on it right away. Leaned in close. "Did you two fight?"

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "I just don't wanna be that girl. The one who's only known as 'that C-list actress who married rich'."

She gave my head a little pat, all soft and scolding. "I get it. You're proud. But you can't run yourself into the ground either."

I looked at her, calm and quiet. "Yeah. I know. Won't happen again."

A nurse came in to change my IV, holding a little red box.

She smiled all sweet and said, "You're so lucky, Miss Monroe. Mr. Harrington's so sweet. He had his assistant drop this off and said it's your anniversary gift."

My eyes lit up. I took the box, hands a little shaky.

It was a necklace.

And then I saw the engraving.

"'R.C.'? What's that supposed to mean?"

Margo blurted it out before she could stop herself. Then she realized. And clamped her mouth shut.

The nurse's smile flickered too. She kept her head down, focused on the IV, and the air in that room went dead.

I forced a smile, my face burning. "It's, uh, my nickname. Initials."

They both laughed nervously. Didn't look like they bought it.

And why would they? I couldn't even convince myself.

R.C. Rachel Channing. Of course.

So this was his way of telling me, wasn't it?