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.Dr.Devlin avoided eye contact, and then scribbled some more notes on his sheet.She had no idea what he was actually writing, but it seemed to be keeping him occupied.“I’d uh…better go,” he said eventually, “I have other patients to see to.”“Yeah, of course,” she smiled.“Don’t let me keep you.”“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he promised.“Have a good night’s rest.”“I’ll try my best,” she said, feeling hopeful she might actually be able to rest now that she felt safer.Chapter 23Her first night in the hospital was restless and strange.She’d never really liked hospitals, and had especially bad memories of the night Logan had been shot.It had been so traumatic for her.The sights, sounds and even the smells were disturbing and distracting, certainly not conducive to a good night's sleep.Charlotte couldn't help but think her life would've been so much simpler and even better if Logan would've just died of his injuries when he'd been shot.He could've easily bled to death, as the paramedics told her he would've done, if she hadn’t found him in time.She felt bad, as if she were evil to think like that.She knew it was a dark, selfish and horrible thing to contemplate.Yet, it would've been a happier ending for her.Still, she couldn’t wish him dead.She just couldn’t.She just wasn’t that type of person.The nurse came in to give her some more painkillers and they helped her to drift off into an uneasy sleep.She awoke a handful of times throughout the night to the various sounds and noises that went on twenty-four hours a day in a busy city hospital.Someone was calling out, apparently in pain.There were banging doors, creaking wheels going by her door and nurses on night duty chatting to one another.Despite all of that, however, she woke the next morning feeling quite refreshed.The sun was filtering in through the blinds into her small room and the handsome Dr.Devlin was standing over her, smiling.He really was so very attractive and handsome, but also so kind and likable.Even though he was the polar opposite of the slick, charming and cruel Logan, she thought she could sense his inner strength shining through."What are you thinking about?” he asked her with a smile.Charlotte blushed and looked towards the window.“I was just thinking what a beautiful day it seems to be outside,” she lied.He looked at her and she doubted he believed her.Thank God, he can’t read my mind!Charlotte had never even considered being with any other man, physically, since she'd married Logan.Ironically, the only other man who she'd fantasized about in that way since she'd met Logan, had been Dr.Devlin.She always recalled the huge impression he'd made on her the night Logan had been shot.He was so appealing in more than one way.Plus, there seemed to be chemistry between them.She could still recall feeling his touch long after he'd shaken her hand.Once she'd been married, Logan had quickly conditioned her not to think of any other men, at all.In addition, he'd barely allow her out of the house with his crazy paranoia.The few times they'd gone out together to restaurants and the like, before her last escape attempt, she'd conscientiously avoided making even the briefest eye contact with any man.She'd been so worried about how Logan might react.He’d threatened to beat men up on more than one occasion for giving her the ‘wrong type of look’, whatever that meant.“How are you feeling, this morning?” the doctor asked her, bringing her back to the present.“Mm, not bad.Thank you for asking, Dr.Devlin,” she smiled at him.“Please….call me Brett,” he smiled back.“It's much less formal.”“Um…okay,” she agreed.His words made her smile.Logan had always been the opposite in this regard, as well.He’d always wanted to be formal with people when they'd first met; calling men ‘sir’ and women ‘madam’ or ‘ma’am’, overcompensating with politeness.He'd done this when he met her parents.She was sure they would've felt more comfortable if he'd just addressed them by their first names rather than Mr.and Mrs.“Someone will bring your breakfast in soon,” he told her.“What’s the food like here so far?”“Not great, if I’m being honest,” she answered with a smile.“But then, I never did like hospital food much anyway.I’m sure it’s really tasty—as far as hospital food goes, that is.”“Ah, I wouldn’t know.I always pack my lunch.I’m not so keen on it, either,” he chuckled.“I can get them to bring you a sandwich, if you’d prefer.There's less of a chance of them screwing that up.”“Really? That would be very sweet of you,” she agreed.“Thank you.”“No problem.”Although their patient/doctor relationship was still formal, to a certain extent, Charlotte got the feeling Brett was spending more time in her room and more time with her, than was strictly medically necessary.She loved that thought.Whenever he wasn't there, she looked forward to seeing him again.At first, she thought it might just be wishful thinking or her imagination.She thought perhaps she was just willing it to seem that way.Then, she caught sight of his clipboard when he turned away, the one he was always scribbling notes on endlessly.There was hardly a word on it.She was shocked.Hmm, that's so strange! Had he been just pretending to write things down? Why would he do that?She tried to think of an explanation for him to pretend to be doing his job that way.The only thing she could come up with was he actually wanted to stay there with her, for a little longer than was needed.Later that afternoon, he came by again.She kept her eye on the time, noticing that he stayed even longer than he had that morning.By then, she was feeling anxious and stressed because she knew Logan would be there in a few hours.He'd told her he'd visit soon.She was terrified to be alone with him.Terrified by what he'd say…or do…if no one else was present to protect her.Charlotte decided to broach the subject with Brett while he was busy doing his pretend note taking.“Um…Logan…my husband…do you know if he’s still coming in?” she asked.“I’m…not sure,” he answered.“He hasn’t called.Technically, he could turn up at any time and ask to see you.”“Is there any way I could not see him?” she asked hopefully.He thought about it for a moment, pursing his lips.“Well, if you specifically tell us you didn’t want any visitors, we could have someone call him,” he answered slowly, and then thought some more.“Perhaps because you weren’t feeling well enough for visitors.Maybe you'd prefer we tell him you're sleeping when he gets here.We can ask him to come back tomorrow,” he suggested.She couldn’t imagine Logan responding very well to that type of request.He'd probably just kick up a fuss with the nurses and demand to be let in anyway.However, it was worth a try.Anything was worth a try if there was any chance it would keep Logan away from her.If he caused too much trouble, they'd probably call security to have him removed.That was a comforting thought, if any were to be had in this situation.“Yes, alright.Well…I suppose I’m not feeling all that great,” she smiled slightly with false innocence.“No, you do look a little pale…” he said, winking at her.He had a playful glint in his eyes that told her he was joking.He was trying to convey he was on her side and trying to relax her.She smiled slightly, but was too stressed to laugh, right then—not until the Logan issue was put to rest, anyway.However, it felt so good to know he was on her side.She wasn't alone anymore.Well, not yet.“Thank you, but could someone call him soon? He’s very unpredictable.” she replied.“I’ll have the head nurse call immediately,” he responded.Charlotte fell back into her pillows with relief.She felt safe for the first time in months, since she'd last been at her parents'
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