Chapter 6 Outside , I could hear nurses and doctors whispering . Finally , Gavin moved . But instead of leaving , he stepped closer to me . " Sweetheart … Hannah … I didn't know she told you all this . " " I swear , the one I love is you . " Then , to my shock , he dropped to one knee , tilting his head up to kiss my hand . " Smack ! " The sharp sound of my slap echoed in the hospital room . Gavin staggered , almost losing his balance before steadying himself after several steps . " Sweetheart , if hitting me will make you feel better , then hit me as much as you want . " He stood up straight , wiping his face with his hand , and then added , " Divorce … it's not happening . We will not divorce . " " Stay here and wait for me . I'll take care of some things . " With that , he strode out of the room . The moment he left , I contacted my best friend . " Luciana , I'm at the hospital . Can you come pick me up ? " " And have you finished drafting the divorce papers with Gavin Hendrix ? " What made Gavin think I would wait for him ? When my best friend picked me up and brought me to her home , she was still fuming . " That scumbag Gavin ! I can't believe he did something so vile ! " " Moving his mistress right downstairs to make it easier for their affair ?! " " And he has the audacity to say he loves you ?! " " You fool ! Why didn't you tell me sooner ?! " Though her words scolded me , the next moment her eyes reddened , and she wrapped me in a tight hug . " My Hannah , how have you been holding up these past few days ? " I had been holding it together , but her question broke me . The tears spilled over , unstoppable , as my throat tightened from the sobs and my body trembled . " Luciana , I don't know … " " I feel … I feel like there's this emptiness inside me … " I pointed to my heart , hitting the spot lightly with my hand as if that might ease the pain . But it didn't . The , pain Gavin inflicted wasn't just physical - it was deep and emotional . I never believed that love could last . But Gavin had slowly shown me that loving someone could be a beautiful thing . He coaxed me out of my shell , away from my defenses , and promised me he could protect me . And yet , here we were . I stayed at Luciana's house for two days . During that time , I turned off my phone , and she made delicious meals for me every day . On the third day , Gavin showed up . He was dressed in a familiar suit , holding a bouquet of roses in his hand . " Sweetheart , I've come to take you home , " he said . As soon as those words left his mouth , Luciana slapped him across the face . " Gavin , how dare you show your face here ?! " " Get out of here as far as you can ! " " Sign the divorce papers quickly so I can introduce Hannah to a good man . " Gavin stood motionless , taking the slap without resistance . His eyes reddened as he looked at me . " Sweetheart , I've already taken care of Nicole . She won't show up in front of you again . I know you're still upset , but please , give me another chance . " " I don't want to lose you . " Gavin pleaded as he stepped closer to me . The dark circles under his eyes , his swollen lids , and bloodshot eyes painted a pitiful picture . But the mix of his familiar woody cologne and the overpowering scent of roses reminded me of his time with Nicole . I couldn't help it - I turned and vomited . " Ugh …. " Gavin stopped in his tracks , looking at me with an expression of hurt and confusion . But I couldn't stop ; I vomited everything I had eaten earlier . " Ugh .. " The vomit splattered onto Gavin's suit and tie , even dripping onto the bouquet of roses he was holding . I finally felt a little relief after throwing up . Gavin frowned , his face darkening . I knew his reaction was his compulsive cleanliness kicking in . But … why didn't that same cleanliness stop him when he was with Nicole ? The thought suddenly struck me as absurdly funny . I pointed to the area hidden under his collar . " Gavin , is that a love bite from Nicole ? And you're coming to see me like this ? " His expression faltered , and he instinctively raised his hand to cover his neck . Chapter 6 But I I laughed again and added , " There's no love bite there at all . haven't let Nicole go , have you ? " " Gavin , you I had only spoken casually , but Gavin's reaction told me everything . I had guessed right .. The nausea I had just pushed down rose again , this time with even more force .