Chapter 12 - THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD FREEDOM
Desmond's recovery continued.
Not dramatically.
Not overnight.
But steadily.
His rehabilitation team adjusted his treatment plan.
He worked on transfers.
Strength.
Balance.
And mobility.
He learned to navigate the estate independently.
He began attending meetings outside the house.
He even agreed to try adaptive driving equipment.
One afternoon, I found him in the garage.
He was staring at a sleek black vehicle fitted with hand controls.
"Thinking about escaping?"
He smiled.
"Possibly."
I laughed.
"Where would you go?"
He considered the question.
"Somewhere nobody knows my name."
I leaned against the doorway.
"That sounds nice."
He looked at me.
"Come with me."
My heart skipped.
"Desmond."
He raised a hand.
"Not as my nurse."
I stared.
"As Claire."
Silence.
He continued.
"I know this is complicated."
I nodded.
"And I know you work for me."
He swallowed.
"So I'm not asking you to answer now."
I looked down.
"Good."
He smiled faintly.
"Because I think I'm falling in love with you."
My breath caught.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I whispered:
"Desmond."
He shook his head.
"You don't have to say anything."
His voice softened.
"I just wanted you to know."
I looked at him.
The man who had once terrified me.
The man who had learned to ask for help.
The man who was slowly rebuilding his life.
May you like
And I realized something frightening.
I was falling in love with him too.
