He Took Off His Hearing Aid And My Love Died Chapter 06
Terror slammed into him. In that single moment, he understood – Clara mattered to him far more than he’d
ever let himself believe.
He was on his feet in an instant, already dialing 911. Audrey grabbed his wrist.
“Julian, you can’t. If something actually happened to Clara, people are going to say we’re the reason.”
“Things are barely dying down online. My name just got cleared – you don’t want people dragging me through it all over again, do you?”
Julian stared at her fingers clamped around his arm. His expression hardened.
“Clara could be hurt right now, and you’re worried about your reputation? God, Audrey. When did you become
this selfish?”
“Seven years ago, I could’ve gotten to Clara the second you were safe. You’re the one who held me back. That’s why it happened.”
He shoved her back. “I’m not making that mistake twice.”
The police officers got there fast. After Julian finished explaining, they exchanged a look and checked
dispatch.
“Clara? Hang on – dispatch says paramedics brought in a Clara tonight.”
They pulled up a file and showed him her photo. Julian confirmed it was her – his wife. They gave him the
name of the hospital.
Julian thanked them and turned to leave. Every instinct in his body was screaming to get to her.
But Audrey swayed beside him, legs buckling. Julian caught her before she hit the ground.
“What’s wrong?”
She sagged against him, barely holding herself up. “I’m so dizzy – I think I’m getting sick from being out in
the cold all night looking for Clara. Can you take me to urgent care first?”
Julian stood torn between two directions. He clenched his jaw. Clara was in a hospital – she had doctors,
she was safe. She’d be fine for a few more hours.
He could go first thing in the morning. He nodded.
“Okay.”
He spent the rest of the night taking care of Audrey.
The second the sun came up, Julian was dressed and heading for the door. Audrey caught his hand.
“Julian, I still feel awful. Can you stay just a little longer?”
He pulled his hand free.
“Audrey, enough. Clara is my wife. Don’t try to keep me from her.”
Audrey stood frozen, staring at the closed door. This had always worked before – a little vulnerability, a little
need, and Julian would fold every time.
Why wasn’t it working now?
–
Julian’s first stop was a 24-hour diner near their apartment. He ordered some chicken broth – something
warm and easy to keep down. Clara probably hadn’t eaten. After what that man put her through again –
she wouldn’t be able to stomach anything solid.
He passed a flower shop on the way to the hospital. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d brought Clara
flowers.
He walked in before he could talk himself out of it and bought a bouquet of sunflowers.
But standing outside her hospital room door, his courage failed him. What was he supposed to say?
Should he hold her and say the right things, or act like he didn’t know so he wouldn’t rip the wound open all
over again? His palms were slick by the time he stopped overthinking.
He drew a long breath. He’d figure it out when he saw her face.
He pushed the door open. The bed was stripped. The room was empty.
His chest seized. He caught a nurse in the hallway.
“The patient in Room 314 – where is she?”
The nurse glanced past him into the empty room. “Oh, her? She checked herself out this morning. You didn’t
know?”
