Chapter 24

Slate was seated near Gisele’s hospital bed for what felt like an eternity. He didn’t mind, it was mostly his fault she was there anyway.

He sighed when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He knew instinctively that it was Lizzie. She had been trying to make him go home, but he was having none of it.

“Slate, just go home. I’m here; I’ll take care of Gisele, but you... you’ve been here for five days already. Gisele would not like to see you looking this disheveled. You look like a truck ran you over repeatedly,” Lizzie said imploringly.

Slate sighed and passed his hand through his hair. “I can’t, Liz, try to understand me. I can’t leave her here, I love her,” he replied in a hoarse voice.

Lizzie sighed, exasperated, then said, “I know you love her, Slate; I know you’re hurting, but please, for her sake, take care of yourself. Please.”

When she noticed his will was soften