Carter read his brother’s face and went to fetch Lily, if it wasn’t too late. He turned and ran down the hallway. Phoenix heard a nurse calling out after his brother, “Sir, no running in the hallway.”
He almost ran past her. She was sitting quietly in the lounge. She caught his eye. Turning around, he went back to her.
“Don’t judge. He needs me,” was all she said.
“That’s what he said.” Carter didn’t like the idea of her being married, but decided to keep his mouth shut this time.
“I need him just as much. I know you don’t understand. I’m not asking you to. I’m asking you to simply accept the situation as it is for now.”
Carter nodded. Whatever helped his brother, he’d agree with.
Chapter 6 Lily
Lily collected herself and went back to Phoenix’s room. She wondered if he’d noticed her ring too. He never asked. She never said anything. It’s not like they were having an affair. She was simply sitting with him.
The ring. That was a joke. Her marriage was a joke. She just wished she had the courage to leave. Truth be told, she was afraid of her husband. He’d never hit her, but he’d threatened to. He was verbally abusive, and shoved her a time or two. There was never any evidence, never any bruising. If she had evidence, she might have the courage. Then they could lock him up. For now, it was her word against his. And he made it clear that leaving him wasn’t an option. He’d track her down. He promised.
Work was her safe place. She could forget her home life for a while. She could focus on her patients. And when she started spending extra time visiting Phoenix, she simply claimed she was putting in extra hours. He never questioned it. He didn’t like her all that much anyway. He just saw her as his property. He treated her that way, too.
It wasn’t always like that, but after a couple of years, one bad moment turned into many. Now there were more bad moments than good ones. And yet, as powerful as Phoenix seemed to be in that one moment of tearing his restraints off the bed railings, she wasn’t afraid of him. She didn’t think he’d hurt her. He needed her. She was his angel.
Lily found her place in the corner chair. She didn’t say anything. She waited for him.
“I’m sorry,” he started. “He doesn’t understand.”
Lily nodded. “It was an honest reaction. I am married.” She looked away.
“I didn’t ask if you were.” It made no difference to him. “Can I ask you something?”
She nodded again.
“Why do you come visit me? You don’t know me. You don’t owe me anything.”
She blushed. He was right. How could she explain that she felt safe around him, even though he was the one tied up and unable to move? How could she explain that she was drawn to sit with him so he wasn’t by himself? How could she explain that he was her salvation? That she needed a few moments to not feel unworthy, to not feel like she was a piece of trash as she was so often called...and that sitting quietly with him, she felt like she was helping him heal. She was his angel after all, and she took that quite seriously. “I’m just watching over you.”
Phoenix watched her face. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink before she answered. She was embarrassed to be asked. He felt bad that he questioned her. He had one last question. He knew he shouldn’t ask, but he wanted to know the truth. “Does he know you’re here?”
Lily looked away. “If you want me to leave…”
“I don’t. I like when you’re here.”
“I don’t want anything,” she quickly retorted. Her heart raced. Just sitting with him was enough.
“I know.”
“Good.” And just like that, the conversation was over. Lily picked up her book to read, and Phoenix stared at the wall until he was ready to sleep again.
Chapter 7 Phoenix
The uptight, pinched doctor made her usual rounds. She knew the man would have nothing to say, just like every other day, but she needed to make a notation on his state of mind. When he opened his mouth to speak, she was surprised.
“Will you remove the restraints, please?” He was beaten down, broken. He had no fight left in him. “I just want to feel human.”
She undid one of them, and watched his reaction. She saw relief wash across his face. “Are you ready to talk?”
“I’m afraid to talk,” he admitted. “I’m afraid to keep reliving it all. It’s too painful.”
The doctor’s brow furrowed. She didn’t expect this gentler man to speak, yet alone admit anything. “Healing isn’t easy, but you need to at least take the first step.”