A/N: If you've been waiting for the other shoe to drop, this is it.

Chapter Five

~Truth~

Life continues on, but our relationship remains the same. Edward goes back to following the rules—well, we've both spectacularly blown number three. I mention the boat a few times. He doesn't say no, but it doesn't happen either.

Angela keeps encouraging me to give Mark a chance. She's friends with him on Facebook now, and he keeps asking about me. He's my age, has a stable career in IT, blah-blah-blah. I'm about as available as Edward, and I won't do to Mark what Edward is doing to me.

In the meantime, I've been trying to gather the courage to find out Edward's secret. I follow him a few times when he leaves my place, but he either goes to the hospital or home.

Tonight feels like the night. Edward listens to a voicemail on his phone and rushes out the door with a half-assed explanation. I grab the nearest thing—which happens to be my scrubs—and pull them on, rushing down the stairs to see what direction he goes in.

I follow in my car from a distance, praying he won't notice. He's driving a bit fast, and I don't think he's worried about what's behind him. Twenty minutes later, he pulls into Sunnyvale.

I watch him hurry inside and force myself to wait five minutes. The night is cold and blustery. The wind cuts through my cotton scrubs, and I realize I left my jacket home. I power walk up to the entrance. It's well after visiting hours, and I'm not sure what kind of reception I'll get.

A young woman behind the desk looks up and smiles. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, I'm looking for Dr. Masen."

"And you are?"

"We work together."

She smiles. "Oh, sure. He's in Katherine Masen's room. That's 29B. I'll buzz you in."

I smile, hoping I don't look crazy. Katherine Masen. He must come here for his mother or grandmother. I almost leave, but if I don't go in, the receptionist will almost certainly tell him I was here. Also, I hear Angela's outraged voice in my head, "You went all the way there and didn't check it out?"

The double doors open slowly, and I walk down the long hall, my footsteps hushed by the thick carpeting. Most of the doors are closed. I pass an empty nurses' station and turn the corner, following the arrows toward room 29B. It's at the very end of the hall. Faint strains of music come from behind the door, but I can't make out the song.

The window is covered, so I have no choice but to ease the door open. Do I dare do this? Edward will know how depraved and desperate I am. He might tell me it's over. But I'm here, and maybe he'll introduce me to his grandma.

As slowly as I can, I open the door a crack. Thank goodness the hinges are well oiled. The bed comes into view first, and it's empty. The main lights are off, the bar attached to the wall above the bed set on low. I crack the door a little more, my heart in my throat.

The song playing is Eric Clapton's "You Look Wonderful Tonight." Edward holds a woman in his arms, swaying to the music. His back is to me, so I can't see her clearly. As they turn, I see a flash of long, poker straight, cornsilk hair. Her cheek is pressed to his chest. And then she speaks.

"Oh Edward, I'm so excited about the wedding! It's supposed to be balmy out tomorrow."

"I'm sure it will be perfect." Sadness permeates his voice.

"I can't wait to hit the beach in Cancun. Three glorious weeks!"

I'm rooted to the spot, unable to move. Edward is coming around, and he's going to see me! I don't know if I can't move or I just don't want to—either way, my feet are stuck to the floor.

Edward's eyes are the first thing I see. They're tortured. He's so absorbed in his pain that he almost misses me hovering in the doorway. But he does see me, and his eyes widen.

A soft giggle comes from the woman in his arms, and she most definitely is not his grandma. I only see her profile as she tilts her head up to look at him, but she's young and beautiful. She's dressed up in an evening gown complete with high heels.

His wife. Who he hasn't lived with or had a sexual relationship with for years.

"Kate, I really should be going. Big day tomorrow," he murmurs against her hair, but his eyes are fully on me. A tear slides down his cheek, and it's too much for me.

My paralysis dissolves, and I'm running, running, running. I run down the halls and slam my hand against the button by the doors, but they don't open.

"Yes, can I help you?" A voice comes from a speaker on the wall.

"I'm trying to get out. I-I was just here for Dr. Masen."

"Stand back, please."

All the pieces click together. This is a locked memory care ward. Katherine Masen is Edward's wife. She thinks tomorrow is their wedding.

I fight not to run, but I can't stop myself from walking fast as I leave the ward. The receptionist gives me a sympathetic look. "Awful, isn't it? So heartbreaking."

I nod my head, unable to form words, and push my way through the doors into the windy night. This time, I welcome the howling wind that freezes the tracks of my tears and stings my skin. I get into the car and bang my hands on the steering wheel, crying and screaming.

A lone figure exits Sunnyvale. Edward. He's running. I start the car, my fingers shaking. Slamming the car into gear, I peel away without looking back.

~*oOo*~

A/N: And there you have it. Edward is trapped in purgatory, torn between honoring his wife and finding happiness.

Thanks and gratefulness as always to my awesome betas, SassySue (chayasara) and Wendy wmr1601, and prereader extraordinaire, Aleea (aleeab4u). These ladies make my stuff much more presentable!

My new drabble-ish story Animal will be featured on The Lemonade Stand Sneak Peek feature on Saturday, September 24th. Will be teasing the summary, part of a chapter, the banner, and the date the story will start posting!

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