When I Finally Let You Go

I pushed open the hospital room door and warm light spilled out.

Fredric was sitting up in bed,one arm wrapped in bandages,but his gaze was soft as he whispered comfort to the teary-eyed Deana beside him.

“I told you,it’s not your fault,”he said gently.“I shouldn’t have rushed like that.”

Deana sniffled,her eyes red like a weeping child.“But if I hadn’t slipped,you wouldn’t have gotten hurt…”

Her voice trembled and her posture was timid like she was trying to shrink herself into nothing.

His mother sat by the bedside,patting Deana’s hand with affection.“You’ve always been too kind.When you were younger and lived in our house,you cried over breaking a bowl.”

“And Fredric…he used to be so cold.If not for you,he would never have learned to smile.”

His father chuckled,nodding.“Exactly.You even cooked for him in high school.It was awful,but he always finished it clean.Said he couldn’t hurt your feelings.”

“Back then,we all thought the two of you were bound to end up together.”

The entire room radiated warmth,like they were one happy family.

I stood at the doorway,gripping the fruit bag until the plastic handles cut into my skin.

For years,I’d been the one cooking,cleaning,supporting Fredric through every storm.I’d taken care of his parents,endured their coldness and smiled through it all.

But not once did I receive a kind word.

Fredric finally noticed me and his expression cooled immediately as he questioned,“What are you doing here?”

Deana jumped up nervously,giving a small bow.“Brittany…I’m sorry.Fredric got hurt because of me.”

“Please don’t blame him.It’s my fault,not his.I…I didn’t mean to…”

Her voice was soft,birdlike and trembling with innocence.

Before I could even speak,Fredric stepped forward and gently pulled her behind him,blocking my view of her completely.

“Don’t say that,”he said,his voice firm.“It was my choice to protect her.It has nothing to do with Deana.Brittany,don’t take it out on her.”

His mother sighed when she added,“Don’t cause a scene.This isn’t Deana’s fault.Fredric chose to save her,so don’t need to be angry,okay?”

I looked at all of them standing on her side like it was the most natural thing in the world and I laughed.

Not out loud.Just a quiet,bitter twist of my lips.

As if I were the jealous ex-wife.The evil,possessive woman plotting against the poor,fragile mistress.

Deana stepped forward,wanting to apologize again,“Brittany…”

But I cut her off with a cold smile that could slice skin.

“Just be glad you’re not dead,”I said calmly.“I came to see for myself.That’s all.You can go back to playing house now.”

I turned on my heel and walked out without another word.

“Brittany!”Fredric called after me.

But I didn’t stop.

Outside,I pulled out my phone and dialed.“Edward?”

His warm voice came through the line.“Hey,long time no hear.Is everything okay?”

I stared at the blinding white lights in the corridor.

“I want to move out,”I said quietly.“Can you help me?”

“When?”He asked calmly,as if will agree with anything I said.

“This afternoon.”

***

Back in the hospital room,silence had fallen.

Deana’s eyes welled with tears as she wailed,“Did I upset her?I…I didn’t mean to…”

His mother grabbed her hand gently and calmed her,“Sweetheart,you’ve done nothing wrong.Fredric cares about you.He wouldn’t have risked his life if he didn’t,so don’t take this to heart.”

His father nodded as he added,“Exactly.Brittany’s always been…high-strung.”

Fredric stood there silently,staring at the closed door,a strange pressure tightening in his chest.

“Fredric…”Deana’s voice was small.“The apartment I’m staying in isn’t safe.My ex keeps showing up.I’m scared.”

“Can I stay with you for a while?Just like in high school?”

Before he could reply,his mother answered for him,“Of course,she can.Right,Fred?”

Fredric looked at Deana.

He hesitated.

Logic told him that this was wrong to bring a single woman to a married couple's house.

But when he saw the vulnerability in her eyes,he finally murmured,“Alright.You can stay with me for a while.”

***

That evening,he brought her home.

“She’ll stay with us temporarily,”he told me.“Her place isn’t secure.Don’t overthink it.She’s just a friend now.”

“Oh,”I said simply,without looking at either of them.

His brows furrowed slightly,thrown off by my unexpected calm.

The old me would’ve been furious,argued and cried as if the world ended tomorrow.

But now,I looked at Deana’s faintly red eyes as if watching from behind a thick wall of glass,emotionless and detached.

That was when the door opened again.

Footsteps echoed into the hall.

“Finally done moving,”a familiar voice called out.“You hoard more crap than a prepper.”

Edward stepped inside,dragging two suitcases.

He walked straight over and draped his arm over my shoulder without hesitation.

“You owe me dinner for this,”he said with a teasing grin.“And I mean the expensive one.”

Fredric’s face darkened instantly.

His voice was low,tight with fury.“Brittany,what the hell is this?”