The Unwavering Heart That Broke novel Chapter 144

The sedative wasn’t going to wear off right away. Nathalie passed out almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The hospital was silent except for the low hum of fluorescent lights and the sharp, clean smell of antiseptic in the air. It was just past ten when her phone started to ring.

The sound jolted her awake. She reached for it out of habit, but Lance moved quicker, picking it up and answering before she had the chance.

“She’s already asleep,” he said evenly. Then he ended the call, no hesitation, no explanation.

Nathalie blinked at him, still caught halfway between dreaming and waking. “Give me my phone,” she said quietly.

He shook his head and set it down on the nightstand instead. “You should sleep some more.”

She stretched out her arm to grab for it anyway, but suddenly Lance got up, pulled the blanket aside, and climbed right into the narrow bed with her. He lay on his side and pulled her straight into his chest.

“What are you doing? Are you crazy? This is a single bed,” Nathalie gasped, trying to shove him away as best she could.

Lance kept his eyes closed, holding her close. “You want me to sit in a chair all night? That really doesn’t sound fair, does it?”

His stubbornness made her laugh, though she was mostly just angry. “Nobody’s making you stay. Seriously, Lance, go home.”

He only pulled her tighter. “Not happening. I can’t leave you alone here.”

There was something about the way he held her, so warm and solid, that made resistance feel pointless. He didn’t care what she wanted, and he never really asked, either. His heartbeat was steady against her ear, a slow rhythm she remembered too well. Nathalie turned her face toward the window, fighting back a wave of old bitterness rising in her chest.

Suddenly, another phone started to ring. This time, it wasn’t hers.

Lance pulled out his own phone, frowning when he saw the screen. Still, he answered, voice low. “Yeah?”

If this had happened before, she would have stopped him. She would have screamed or cried, let loose all that chaotic anger she always carried. Now, she just looked tired. Quiet. Somehow, the calmness scared him more than anything else.

He reached for her hand, holding it tight. “I’ll come back as soon as I find Jasper, I promise.”

She didn’t move, didn’t even look his way.

Gently, Lance moved to kiss the back of her hand, but she pulled free, turning away, giving him nothing but her back.

The pain hit him hard—a dull ache that lingered in his chest. Still, Jasper needed him. He gave Nathalie one last look, then stood and left.

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving the room completely still.

Any trace of warmth was gone, vanishing as quickly as it had come. Nathalie kept her eyes closed, willing herself not to care, but the tears came anyway. She was angry at herself for crying, furious that she couldn’t stop the flood of feelings that spilled free, refusing to be ignored.