<b>Chapter </b><b>22 </b>


    TIM


    “So that’s it? You’re just going to chicken out?” Joseph shot back, rolling his eyes at their nonstop chatter.}


    Someone tried to argue, but the second they caught Nina’s big, innocent eyes staring up at them, they mmed up.}


    Everyone knew Joseph was a total softie when it came to his sister. If you had any sense, you kept your mouth shut.


    After being gone for a few days, Theo finally showed up that night.”


    When he walked in, Patricia was quietly watching Marian and Jackson haul the nts and flower pots from the porch to under the eaves. She sat by the window in a pale blue dress, her hair twisted up into a messy bun. Even in her wheelchair, she looked effortlessly graceful. “Chelsea left?” Theo asked.


    Patricia just nodded. She’d seen hime in, but since he hadn’t said anything, she wasn’t about to start a conversation.


    “Why are you moving the nts in?“} <!--


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    “It’s supposed to rain tonight.“0


    Her voice was calm, not a trace of annoyance. Theo hesitated–something about her mood felt off. “Aren’t you going to ask me anything?”


    “Ask what?” she replied, ncing at him with a puzzled look.


    “Why didn’t you go hang out with your precious Ms. Miller?” Patricia turned her wheelchair, meeting his gaze head–on. “Mr. Newton, do you really think I care who you’re with? Like you said, we’re just two people stuck together, making each other miserable. Why would I care who you sleep with?“}


    She said it like it was just a fact–nothing to do with her at all.


    She never cared if Theo loved her, treated her well, or respected her. None of that mattered. All she cared about were her legs.


    Whether she’d ever be able to stand up again. <fn6949> For original chapters go to </fn6949>


    Whether losing them had been worth it.”


    “If you don’t care, then why fight with me? Why did you get so upset?”


    Patricia gave him a quick, bitter smile and stayed silent, but for a split second, her eyes shed with something almost like contempt.”


    She fought because she couldn’t ept her fate. What other reason could there be?!


    Did he really think it was about him not loving her?}]


    “Miss, all the nts are in,” Marian called as she came inside, wiping her hands and breaking the tension.


    Patricia nodded, backing her wheelchair away from the window to let Marian through. “Thanks. You worked hard.”


    “Of course!”


    Without looking at Theo, Patricia steered her chair toward the elevator, ready to head upstairs.


    Right before the doors opened, Theo stepped in front of her, blocking her way.


    “Patricia’s


    “So you really don’t care who I’m with? Not even a little?“)


    “Do you want me to care?” Patricia shot the question right back at him, cool and collected. She’d always been better at making other people squirm than answering for herself.


    Given the choice between making things hard for herself or for someone else, she always picked thetter.


    Theo looked caught off guard. Whatever he was about to say just died on his lips.


    Patricia waited,pletely unbothered


    “You know<i>, </i>you’re impossible.“2


    “I keep you close and you run off for days. I back off and suddenly you’re in my face again. Seriously, which one of us is the problem here?%


    Thunder rolled in the distance &


    The weather report had called it right at nine, the sky split <b>open</b>. Lightning shed, thunder crashed, and rain came down in sheets. Patricia nced outside. “Theard Ms. Miller’s terified of <b>thunderstorms</b>. She’s probably about to call you, begging you toe hold her hand”


    She barely finished before Theo’s phone started ringing.