And now it’s over.
I am sure that justice will be served, and even if the sentence isn’t as harsh as we hope—I don’t want to worry about it. I just want to be happy now. I’m somewhat annoyed at Gabriel for capitalizing on this whole situation to write and launch a bestselling book, but I guess that’s just what writers do. Besides, if he didn’t write the story, someone else would have.
I guess we’re going to need the money from his success to raise seven kids. It’s a pretty good book, anyway. He actually wrote a brilliant exploration of the mind of a necrophiliac, and it was sensitive and insightful. It’s mainly all the press that’s been hell to deal with.
But some publishers have actually offered me a book deal to write about my experience with Michael and our brief marriage, so I’m considering giving it a try. Later on. For now… I just want to relax, put my swollen feet up, and get something to eat.
Yvette walks to my side,
“Milla,” she says softly. “Can you believe it’s over?”
“I can’t believe any of this,” I tell her. “Look at how far we’ve come, since the beginning.”
She shakes her head in amazement. “You know, I realized I never actually apologized for the things I said to you on the phone that day? About your pictures—that you looked like a cow. And everything else. I was a mess back then. A total disaster.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her. “I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to fall in love with Gabriel… and become a husband-stealing bitch.”
“Nah, we’re all good,” she says, waving her hand dismissively. “You did me a huge favor, and I’m way happier now with Lukas. He was so supportive and encouraging when he taught me to walk again… he really pushed me, but in a kind way. He’s younger and sweeter than Gabe—way less frustrating. I finally have a man who can actually keep up with me.”
I glance over at the handsome, muscular man who used to be her physical therapist, and I smile. “You didn’t do too badly. How old is he, like twenty-two? Craddle-robber.”
“Twenty-eight,” Yvette answers.
“Wow! Basically no wrinkles compared to Gabe,” I comment, although I love every single one of Gabe’s wrinkles. “He’s definitely an upgrade in a lot of ways.”
“No kidding,” Evie says with a smile. “I was just clinging to Gabe so hard because I was sick, and he was my comfort. But I wasn’t thinking clearly, and it was wrong of me to use my sickness to force him to get back together with me. You two are really good together.”
“I mean… he’s super annoying sometimes, but I still like him a little bit,” I tell Evie.
“Honestly, though,” Yvette says. “It took me so long to stop walking with that cane. If you didn’t extubate me when you did, Milla… I hate to think what my health would be like. I mean, if I had been under any longer—or if I had never gotten off the fucking ventilator. God.”
I shake my head. “Actually, Evie, you saved me—if it wasn’t for your ultrasound, I am sure I would be dead right now. Besides, I didn’t suffer too much. I was only drugged by him for a few days… I can’t imagine what you experienced being like that for forty-seven days.”
“Well… at least I didn’t have the horrible experience of being married to him. I mean… he had you in his bedroom all day and night. At least with me, it was in a public place where he could only sneak to see me sometimes…”
“Yes, but I chose to be married to him,” I say softly. “You didn’t choose anything that happened to you.”
“You can’t blame yourself,” she says. “You didn’t know. Anyway… I know you spent so much time with me, when I was under. Giving me beauty treatments, pedicures, and other stupid shit—you probably protected me from many more private visits from the creepy doctor.”
I shudder at the thought. “Yes… he did come into the room a few times when I was there. I am so sorry. I should have figured it out sooner. I never in a million years could have suspected…”
“Milla. Stop blaming yourself for everything,” she says again.
“I just wish I could have prevented what happened to you. Or stopped it weeks before…”
“You couldn’t have known,” she says. “I was there, too. I didn’t even know.”
Her hand touches mine. She wraps her fingers around my palm. She squeezes it.
It feels like forgiveness. For everything. Tears gather in my eyes. But I’m not that weak, emotional little girl that I used to be. I’m a badass survivor, and mom-to-be of adorable twins, and I’m not going to let her see me cry to have her friendship.
“So,” I say casually. “Let’s talk about your new man. He’s so cute. He really knows how to grow a beard. Are you willing to share him?”
Yvette flinches. “Hey. Wait a minute. You already married my ex-husband. You stay the hell away from Lukas. Far away.”
“But he’s so handsome. Why don’t you introduce me? And technically—I married not one, but two of your exes. So I would say that chances are pretty high that Lukas is going to like me.” I give her a playful little wink, and enjoy watching her face turn red.
“Okay, I probably deserve this, after all the stuff I said to you. But it’s not funny, Milla. It’s really not.”
“It’s hilarious, Eves. Damn, your new man must work out. A lot more than Gabe. His body looks so fit… Look at those pecs, and those arms, and those abs…”
“Stop!” she says with horror, holding up both hands. But I see the tiny twitch at the corner of her lips to indicate she is holding back a smile.
“What if I just send him some amateurish
