Chapter 7
So, was Tamara angry and ignoring me all because of Lindsay’s petty provocations?}}
That could be explained. I never truly wanted to marry Lindsay. That whole thing was just a passing fancy. The one I really wanted was Tamara.N
As I tried to piece things together, my phone buzzed again. Assuming it was Lindsay, I was about to ignore the call, but I paused when I saw it was my friend Neal Bell.
“Hey,” I answered.N
“Louie, make sure Tamara comes in for a follow–up at the hospital. After a miscarriage, there’s supposed to be a checkup within two weeks.“N
“…Miscarriage?” I froze. A ringing filled my ears.
“What surgery? What miscarriage? Why didn’t you tell me?” I snapped, my voice rising in panic.
Neal’s tone turned serious. “She was in a car accident. The baby didn’t make it.”
Then he asked, “Wait. You really didn’t know?”
“A car accident? When? She never said a word to me!” My heart dropped. I was completely blindsided.}
Now, hearing it suddenly from Neal, something clicked in Louie’s mind.
“You seriously didn’t know?” Neal sounded stunned. “It happened on the 13th. What, two weeks ago? Three cars, chain collision. She was unconscious when she got to the ER.”N
“…Got it. I’ll talk to her later.” I hung up, dazed.§
One moment, I was confused. The next, it all made sense.}]
It explained everything, why Tamara never showed up to the county clerk’s office that day, why she changed so much, and insisted on breaking up.
I scrolled back through my call history.
That morning, I’d rejected three of her calls–too busy trying to cheer up Lindsay. I even blocked her number because I thought she was being “too much.“@
But those calls…
They were cries for help.
She had been in a car crash, and I’d ignored her lifeline.
Regret washed over me like a tidal wave. What if I had picked it up? Would things have turned What was she feeling in those moments–scared, alone, and still thinking of calling me? Just the thought made me slap myself hard twice.
= 9 α s 3 = 0 33
out differently?
I remembered the way Tamara looked when she found out she was pregnant–beaming, glowing with happiness. She had been so excited for that baby.”
And now…
i was drowning in regret.”
I had to find her.”
I had to apologize in person.
I grabbed my keys and rushed for the door, only to nearly run straight into Lindsay, who had just arrived.
“Louie, where are you going?” she asked, stepping in my way. Her eyes were already glistening with tears. “Do you really hate me that much? Am I that unbearable to you?”
“Lindsay, we’ll talk later, okay? I have something more important to deal with right now.”
Brushing past her, I opened the car door, ready to leave.”
But she wasn’t about to let me go that easily. She quickly climbed into the passenger seat.0
“Lindsay, please, don’t do this,” I said, exasperated. “I’m serious. This is really important.“W
Her eyes widened in disbelief. I had never raised my voice at her before–never even frowned, let alone snapped.
Seeing me like this, she panicked. Her voice trembled as she asked, “Louie, what do I even mean to you anymore?“}} There was a time when her tears would’ve broken my heart. But right now?
All felt was frustration.
