Chapter 4 - An Unexpected Visitor
A soft, polite knock echoed through the quiet hospital room later that afternoon.
Lucy looked up from her untouched lunch tray.
She expected to see another doctor coming to draw blood.
Instead, a tall, broad-shouldered man in a casual t-shirt and jeans stood in the doorway.
It took her a moment to recognize him without the heavy, yellow turnout gear and the soot covering his face.
It was the rookie firefighter.
The man who had held her hand while she took off her wedding ring.
Mark.
"Hi," he said softly, offering a tentative smile.
"I hope I’m not intruding."
Lucy shook her head, sitting up a little straighter against her pillows.
"No, please come in," she said, genuinely surprised to see him.
Mark stepped into the room, holding a small bouquet of yellow daisies.
He looked slightly nervous as he set them on the bedside table.
"I just wanted to check on you," he explained, scratching the back of his neck.
"My shift ended an hour ago, and I couldn't stop thinking about what happened."
"Thank you," Lucy said softly, her eyes dropping to her lap.
"You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to," Mark replied firmly, pulling up a visitor’s chair.
He sat down, his dark eyes studying her pale but determined face.
"I gave him the ring," Mark told her quietly.
Lucy felt a strange sense of vindication wash over her.
"How did he react?" she asked, unable to stop her own curiosity.
"Like a man who just realized he threw away a diamond to pick up a rock," Mark said bluntly.
A small, bitter laugh escaped Lucy’s lips.
"That’s an accurate description."
"He’s still out there, you know," Mark warned her gently.
"Sitting in the waiting area, looking like absolute garbage."
"He can rot out there for all I care," Lucy said, her voice dripping with venom.
Mark smiled, clearly impressed by her strength.
"Most women would be crying into their pillows right now."
"I did all my crying in that elevator," Lucy replied, looking him straight in the eye.
"I’m done crying over a man who prioritized his mistress over his pregnant wife."
Mark leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"If you need anything, and I mean anything, you let me know."
He pulled a small notepad from his pocket, scribbled down a number, and handed it to her.
"I know some good people in this city."
"Lawyers, real estate agents, whatever you need to start over."
Lucy took the piece of paper, her fingers brushing slightly against his rough, calloused hand.
For the first time in twenty-four hours, she felt genuinely safe.
May you like
"Thank you, Mark," she said sincerely.
"I just might take you up on that."
