The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 95

Lavinia sat on the plush sofa in the VIP waiting room, two appointment slips resting on her knees.

One was for her, and the other was for Garnett.

She checked the time: ten minutes to nine.

An hour ago, she had texted Garnett to ask if he was still coming. He hadn't replied.

She worried he was just stuck in transit and hadn't seen the message, which was why he hadn't texted back.

But she had shown up alone anyway.

Only a glutton for punishment would want this pre-pregnancy checkup, but she simply didn't want to piss him off right now and ruin her chances of taking her certification exams.

A nurse opened the door and asked politely, "Mrs. Harper, has your husband arrived yet?"

Lavinia glanced at her phone.

What was she even waiting for?

"He had an emergency and won't be able to make it," she said, standing up. "We'll reschedule for another time."

The nurse looked conflicted. "Mrs. Harper, all the equipment is already prepped..."

Lavinia hesitated.

The man was completely unpredictable. If they missed this appointment, he would just force her to schedule another one.

She might as well get her part over with. He could come in and do his whenever he felt like it.

It was just a medical exam, anyway. It wasn't like she was actually going to have his child.

"I'll do mine first. He can rebook his own slot," Lavinia said.

The nurse looked visibly relieved. "Of course. Please follow me."

...

By the time Lavinia rushed into the prep class, the first two morning periods were already over, and the third was just beginning.

Charley was mid-lecture. When he saw her walk in, he gave her a brief, indifferent glance.

Lavinia took her seat, stuck her tongue out sheepishly, and pulled out her textbooks, forcing herself to focus.

After class, they met in the hallway as usual.

Charley asked casually, "How were the results? Everything okay?"

"Yeah, fine," Lavinia replied airily. "Just a standard physical."

"Good."

He didn't press further, and he didn't ask any more questions.

***

She was plunged back into the abyss.

She was surrounded by the ocean, choking, drowning in an endless sea of black.

She dropped to the floor, pulling her knees to her chest, shaking uncontrollably.

The doorbell rang.

"Lavinia, are you in there? Open the door."

It was Charley's voice. Steady, composed, but underscored with undeniable panic.

Lavinia tried to answer, but her lips were trembling so hard no sound came out.

A sliver of light pierced through the gap under the front door.

He had turned on his phone's flashlight. The thin beam crept into the apartment, tracing a delicate line across the floorboards.

"Lavinia, come this way," his voice softened. "Walk toward me. Just open the door, and everything will be okay."

Lavinia felt like she was drowning in an ink-black ocean, and that single sliver of light was her only piece of driftwood.

She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms. Using every ounce of her willpower to fight back the overwhelming terror, she forced herself to crawl, step by step, toward the light.

"Lavinia!" He started pounding on the door, his voice growing frantic. "Lavinia! I'm right here! Don't be afraid!"

She reached the door, her trembling hand finding the handle. With the last bit of her strength, she pressed it down.