Maybe Love is An Unexpected Injury

A flood of memories overwhelmed me, a swirl of warmth and fear merging until I could no longer tell illusion from reality.

Panic set in, and I lashed out wildly at the person in front of me.

“Don’t touch me! I just want to go home!”

“Why did you leave me there…

“Tina, I don’t love you anymore. I don’t want to marry you. Don’t leave me here.

“I know I messed up…

Tina looked stunned, staring at me with wide eyes. There was a faint scratch on her cheek where my ring had grazed her skin.

“James, what’s wrong with you? Who’s been messing with you? What’s got you acting like this?

“Didn’t the embassy staff take care of you the whole time?”

Something in her gaze shifted as she took in my state, finally seeming to realize what had happened.

Her movements softened, and her voice turned gentle.

“I never meant to hurt you,” she murmured. “We’re married now; we have a life together.

“This is the Laird home. As long as I’m here, you don’t have to be afraid.

“Just calm down and tell me what’s wrong, okay?”

She crouched down, slowly reaching a hand toward me.

But just as her fingers brushed the air between us, a crisp voice shattered the moment, yanking me back to the present.

Vincent stepped out of Tina’s bedroom, wrapped in a robe. “Tina, the shower’s acting up again. Mind taking a look?”

I stared numbly at the door I knew all too well.

Every time I’d tried to step inside, Tina had reprimanded me, saying she needed her privacy, insisting on separate rooms after our wedding.

She wasn’t opposed to others in her room. She just didn’t want me.

Tears slid down my face, unbidden.

Tina hesitated, glancing between me and Vincent.

Vincent caught her look, then shot me a smirk. “James, you’re a grown man, not some kid. Stop throwing fits every time you see me and Tina together.

“We’re working, that’s all. The honeymoon? I was just there on business.

“No one owes you anything, you know. You’ve been fine at the embassy. Those bruises? That’s on you for sneaking out to take photos.

“We all have to own our choices. It’s time you learned that.”

Tina’s face shifted, her tenderness vanishing as she straightened up, shoulders back. “Apparently, you still haven’t learned your lesson.”

She turned to Vincent. “Let’s go. Don’t pay him any mind. Let’s see how long he can keep up this little act.”

Their figures began to fade down the corridor.

I opened my mouth, wanting to speak, but the bitter taste of blood pooled on my tongue.

“Tina!” I called after her.

She glanced back, and I tried to speak, but every word stuck in my throat.

In the end, all that escaped was a gasp, followed by a sudden rush of blood.

She paused, frowned briefly, then scoffed and walked away without a second look.

Only when they’d disappeared down the hall did I manage to stand, legs shaky. Watching where they’d vanished, I whispered softly, “Tina, don’t worry. I won’t follow you anymore.”

I was done loving her.