Chapter 24

"Kae, please… Don't leave me. Don't go looking for someone else. And don't fall for anyone else. Just love me—only me," Garrick pleaded. Tears slipped silently down his face as he begged in his sleep, his voice cracking with desperation. His nurse, Sarah Caldwell, suddenly felt her hand being seized. She hadn't caught exactly what he said. Just a frantic "don't leave me". For a split second, she thought he was talking to her. Her face flushed. "Mr. Ironvale… Wake up… Please let go of me." Her voice wavered, awkward and flustered, caught between pulling away and hesitating. When Garrick opened his eyes, he was disoriented at first. It took him a moment before he realized his hand was still wrapped around Sarah's. He frowned and said coldly, "I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else." Sarah's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she quickly pulled her arm free. "Oh, it's fine, Mr. Ironvale. Do you need anything else? If not, I'll check on the next patient." Just as she turned