Chapter 52: I love you
1317words
'I think you need to see a therapist," Nathan suggested, feeding me some noodle soup again.
'Why?" I asked, picking up my glass of water and taking a sip.
'You haven't fully recovered, Scarlett. You need to get these memories out of your mind and really heal," he said.
'I'm full now," I said, declining the next spoonful of soup he held up.
'Is it because of what I said? I'm sorry," he apologized immediately.
'No, really, I'm full," I insisted.
'You have only had three spoonfuls, Scarlett. You know you need to take your medicine, right? Come on, just a little more," he said.
'I don't want it, Nathan. I'm tired, can't you see that?"
'It's just food. How can you be tired of eating?"
'Well, I am. Stop insisting," I said firmly, turning my face away.
'Fine. I guess you will have to take your medicine on an empty stomach, then," he said, pulling open the drawer and taking out my pills.
'I am not taking those bitter pills. You will be the one taking them if you bring them out."
'Listen to me, Scarlett. You are going to take these pills, or I wil make you," he said, his voice serious, his expression firm.
I chuckled slightly. 'I may be a woman, Nathan, but I can beat you up like a kid if you try to force me," I warned.
'Oh, really? Let's see just how strong you are," he said, standing up and cracking his knuckles.
'Are you insane, Nathan? Do you really want to fight me now?" I shifted further on the bed.
'You asked for it."
'And you accepted?"
'If you don't want us to fight, then you will take these pills. Your choice," he insisted.
'Fine. I will take them," I relented, my shoulders slumping. On a normal day, I would gladly fight him, but right now, I'm too weak. If he knew how many men I have fought in my life, he would think twice before challenging me. He handed me the pills, and I took them, grimacing at the bitter taste.
'See? That wasn't so hard," he said, taking the water from me and sitting back down. 'So, are you open to my suggestion now?"
'What suggestion?" I asked, tilting my head.
'Seeing a therapist."
'I don't want to see a therapist. Please, don't push me on this."
'I insist, please," he said, and the way he said it made me smile.
'You are unbelievable, Nathan."
'You should smile more often. You look like an angel when you do."
'And like the devil's wife when I don't," I added, frowning at him.
'Why do you love being called that?" he asked.
'I have never praised anyone who calls me that. Have I?"
'But you seem to like it."
'I like it a little. It gives me a dangerous vibe," I said.
'What? You shouldn't like that title, Scarlett. It's not good," he replied, picking up his phone to check a message.
'Why do you want to divorce Ever? She's pregnant," I asked.
'She wants a divorce because I can't love her the way she wants. She said she could handle the pregnancy on her own. I can't force her to stay in my life, so I signed," he said, focusing back on me.
'Do you plan to stay single forever? You are only 37, Nathan," I reminded him, and he chuckled.
'I didn't realize you would remember my age."
'Don't be silly. I just don't think it was smart to sign the papers when she's carrying your child."
'She insisted, saying she would harm herself and the baby if I didn't." He said, and I burst into laughter. 'That wasn't meant to be funny," he added.
'Oh, it wasn't? How well do you even know Everleigh?"
'What does that have to do with anything?"
'Maybe a lot. The Everleigh I know is more scared of death than the devil himself. There's no way she would harm herself."
'Well, it's done now. No point crying over spilled milk," he said, and I shrugged. Suddenly, pain shot through me, making me wince as I clutched my stomach. 'What's wrong?" he asked, looking worried.
I couldn't believe this was happening right now. My life felt so pitiful. I pursed my lips, fighting the pain.
'Ow!" I lay back on the bed, squirming as my temperature rose. I was already sweating heavily.
'What's happening to you, Scarlett?" Nathan tried to help me sit up.
'Don't, Nathan. Don't touch me!" I sobbed, curling my toes.
'I need to call a doctor."
'Don't call anyone!" I snapped.
He pulled me close. 'You are burning up, Scarlett. I need to take you to the hospital," he said, his voice laced with emotion.
'It doesn't help, Nathan," I whispered, as hot tears rolled down my cheeks.
'Then what does? You can't keep having this pain. You need to see a doctor," he insisted, holding me gently.
The pain intensified, and my hand instinctively moved to his chest, feeling his warmth. 'Please, Nathan, stop this," I pleaded.
'I want to help, but I need to call a doctor."
'A doctor can't help me," I said, just as another wave of pain hit me, making me straddle him. 'Please, I need you. Make Love to me," I begged desperately.
'I can't do this," he whispered, cupping my face in his hands. 'I can't stand the thought of making this worse for you. I just can't," he said, shaking his head.
'You are the only one here. Please, Nathan, I'm begging you."
I couldn't stop the tears, just as I couldn't control the pain. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right? 'Please," I whispered before leaning in to kiss him.
He flipped me over, straddling me instead. For a moment, he hesitated, looking deep into my eyes. I couldn't wait any longer and pulled him down, kissing him intensely.
'Hold on," he pulled back. 'Let me lock the door," he said, stepping off the bed. I clutched the bedsheets as he walked to the door, thrashing my head in agony.
'Ow!" I cried as another sharp pain surged through me.
'I'm here," he murmured, and his words sent a shiver down my spine. My head pounded, and my vision began to blur. I could barely move as exhaustion overtook me. He started kissing me gently, leaving tingles everywhere his lips touched. 'Talk to me, Scarlett. You are scaring me," he whispered.
'It feels like I'm going to die if you don't help me," I choked out, overwhelmed by emotion. 'Please, Nathan, take this pain away." Fresh tears slid down my cheeks.
'I'm sorry," he whispered before deepening the kiss. 'Why is this happening to you?" he asked, unhooking my bra. The cool air hit my skin, sending chills over me as I felt a flutter in my stomach.
'It's a long story," I said softly, lifting my legs to keep my feet on the bed.
'Will you tell me after?" he asked, kissing my stomach. I moaned, arching my back as his lips trailed down to my belly button. I didn't respond, only held back a loud moan as he entered me fully. 'I'm sorry," he cooed, moving slowly, careful not to hurt me.
'I'm not going to break, Nate. Don't worry," I said, noticing his restraint. Normally, Nathan was intense when it came to lovemaking; he knew how to leave a woman breathless. But today, something was different. When he looked into my eyes, there was a softness—maybe guilt?
I lifted my hand to his face, brushing his cheek with my thumb. 'It's still me, Nathan," fresh tears slipping down my face. 'You are not hurting me, okay? None of this is your fault."
'I love you," he whispered, filling me with warmth. I smiled, wiping my tears away, and pulled him down for another kiss.
