Part 43

Silence enveloped Gladwin and Abigail as they sat in the quiet hospital corridor. It was approaching dawn when Abigail finished narrating the lengthy tale of Flavia.

Anger welled up in Gladwin. Disappointment in himself and shame for Flavia, making the girl he loved struggle alone, surged simultaneously. "Why didn't any of you tell me?" was the only question that escaped Gladwin's lips.

"Because that's what Flavia wanted," Abigail replied softly.

"To hell with her wishes!" Gladwin glared at Abigail in anger. "Do you think that's what she truly wanted? Do you think she's afraid I'd pity her?" Gladwin vented his frustration with short breaths. "What she needed at that time was my presence, even if she said otherwise. What she feared wasn't my pity; she knew that. What she feared was that I would fall into despair with her."

"Oh God..." Gladwin roughly clasped his head. "What kind of man am I?" he muttered to himself. "I said I loved her, but I wasn't even there during her tough times."