Whispers Carved Into the Wind 8

Chapter 8 

I ran into Callum at the hospital when I went to pick up meds. 

He looked like hell. Way too thin, scruff on his jaw, dark circles under his eyes. Like he hadn’t slept in weeks. 

“What’re you doing here?” I glanced behind him. “Did you come with Riley? Where is she?” 

His eyes went wide, like I’d just said the worst thing possible. 

‘Vivian, I came to apologize.” 

I stared at him. It clicked. 

He got his memory back. 

But I didn’t get why he was apologizing. 

Shouldn’t he be living happily ever after with Riley right now? 

I stayed quiet for a second, then shook my head. “You don’t need to apologize.” 

‘I know Riley means everything to you.” My voice stayed even. “When I decided to let you go, I wasn’t planning on holding grudges.” 

Callum opened his mouth like he wanted to say something. His hand moved toward my wrist but stopped. 

‘Vivian, you’re just saying that cause you’re pissed, right?” 

‘You hate that I picked Riley when I couldn’t remember. You’re mad I blamed you and hurt you cause of her. So now you’re rying to hurt me back by acting like you don’t care. Right?” 

All his practiced apologies were gone. Just panic now. 

But before his hand touched me, someone shoved him back. 

‘You’ve got some nerve showing up here.” Garrett’s voice was sharp, dangerous. 

I saw the look in his eyes and grabbed his hand fast, tilting my head up with an apologetic smile. “Hey, you brought the car around, right? Let’s go.” 

I pulled Garrett toward the exit, then glanced back at Callum. My tone was tired. “Callum, I’m really not mad.” 

“And I don’t want your apology.” 

“Just be happy with Riley. That’s all I want from you.” 

I meant it. 

Last life, after I got diagnosed, Callum took care of me for seven years. Fed me, bathed me, took me everywhere trying to find a cure. Maybe it started as obligation, but he still did it. 

Everything I did this time around was paying back that debt. 

If I chose to let him go, I wasn’t gonna resent him for it. 

I’m good now. I don’t want him messing that up. 

The day Garrett and I got married, we got gifts from Mr. and Mrs. Reid and a bunch of family friends. 

Plus one anonymous transfer. Huge amount. 

Turned out to be every single share Callum owned of Reid Industries. 

The delivery also included this little wooden sculpture-two people sitting on a swing under purple flowers. 

Garrett threw it out immediately cause he was jealous. I didn’t care. 

At the church, the officiant walked me through the vows. I was in this white dress, looking straight at Garrett, voice calm: 

‘I, Vivian Monroe, take you, Garrett Ashford, to be my husband. From this day forward, for better or worse, richer or poorer, n sickness and in health, I will love and cherish you until death do us part.” 

When I finished, someone in the crowd looked like his whole world just ended.