Page 112 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

“What makes you ask me that?”

“Because you’re so sure of him. And because you’re clearly staying wherever he is.”

And not giving details on his injuries. Because she felt protective. She trusted her friends completely, and yet she found she couldn’t talk about what had happened today.

“I didn’t see why I shouldn’t. Since he was going to be part of my reputation either way.”

“This is a disaster for us, Auggie. You realize that, don’t you?”

“Not if we stick it out,” Auggie said. “Because I don’t believe that he’s a bad person. And I do believe that it will all come together in the end. I do.”

“Why do you believe that?”

“Because I have to. Because...” Because she had already watched her mother die. Because she had built this up from nothing, and she wasn’t foolish enough, or naïve enough, or even traditional enough to buy into the idea that she could have a happy ending here with him just because the idea was nice. But she did believe that she was a better judge of character than all that. She did believe that the man that she had gone to bed with was a decent one. She believed that he was the good guy, and she just wanted to believe that things were going to be okay. But she knew from experience that they might not be.

That his father was the bad guy. And she wanted to be part of making sure the world knew it too. She didn’t know how to explain all of that to Irinka.

“It isn’t just that I’m attracted to him,” she said softly.

“I hope not.”

“He’s hurt, I can’t leave him now. And if I do, it will be even worse for us.”

“Undoubtedly.”

“Trust me. Trust me please. That I can fix this.”

“I will. Because you’re my friend. Because you haven’t been wrong about moves with the business before. But it does kind of seem like every wrong thing has included him.”

“I know. So just let me... Let me see it through.”

“Where will it end? Are you going to marry him? Have his babies?”

The idea made her feel warm.

“No. But let me help him rebuild.”

“Okay, Auggie.”

She hung up the phone, and stood there, staring out the window at the back garden for a very long time. She didn’t want to believe that she had ruined everything with this. But it was possible that she had.

But for now, she was going to do what she could for Matias. Because the truth was, she had thrown her lot in with him, and she had to see it through.

And more than that... She cared about him. Because she knew what it was like to be alone in the world. And she had her friends. He had his money. It wasn’t enough. She knew that it wasn’t.

She took a deep breath and her chest ached.

Then she sat down in that same chair she had been in beside him earlier. And she drifted off to sleep.

CHAPTER TEN

WHENHEWOKEup the medical staff was ready to leave.

“It’s been forty-eight hours of observation,” the doctor said. “You are well, but there is still an issue with the optic nerve.”

“That’s why I can’t see?”

“Yes. I would rather not rush into brain surgery. Because the recovery can be punishing. I would rather see if it will resolve on its own.”