Leaving At Last Chapter 09
She would be back in a few days.
He could explain the truth to the patient’s family.
He could find a way to get the disciplinary action removed from her record.
He still had time. He could slowly earn back her forgiveness.
Only by repeating this to himself could he keep the ache in his chest from becoming unbearable.
Two days later, Briar was waiting in her old unit first thing in the morning.
But by noon, he still hadn’t seen her.
When he looked closer, he saw that someone else’s belongings were now at her station.
He frowned and stopped a nurse he recognized.
“Excuse me, has Blair not come back yet?”
The nurse looked surprised.
“Blair?”
“Didn’t she resign last week?”
“What?”
Briar’s first instinct was denial.
How could Blair have resigned?
They had worked so hard to get into the same hospital so they wouldn’t have to be apart.
“Do you know which hospital she went to?”
“Huh?”
“She said she doesn’t want to be a nurse anymore. Maybe she changed careers.”
*Doesn’t want to be a nurse anymore.*
The words echoed in Briar’s mind.
His vision went dark. He braced a hand against the wall, but his legs gave out anyway.
As he slid to the floor, only one thought remained.
Blair really might be gone for good.
…
One year later.
The moment I stepped off the plane, I saw my parents holding a ridiculously dramatic banner.
[Welcome home, Princess Blair!]
Beside me, Auden bent over laughing, practically collapsing against me.
I shot him a glare and nudged his calf with my foot.