Willowbrook Series Book 1: Healing Hearts
Автор
Kerry Kennedy
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Dr. Sage Bennett’s picture-perfect city life shatters after a painful breakup, sending her back to the cozy charm of Willowbrook. Trading skyscrapers for starlit nights, she rediscovers the pulse of small-town medicine—and the steady presence of Logan, her childhood friend turned colleague. Between shared laughter, old regrets, and quiet heartbeats, a spark begins to flicker again. But when her ex shows up, determined to rewrite their past, Sage faces a choice that could heal—or break—her heart all over again. Love, it seems, has a funny way of finding you right where you started.
Chapter 1
SAGE
“It’s over,” Miles says as I stare at him, dumbfounded.
What is he talking about—over? Is he talking about his job, or is he referring to something else?
I watch him rake his long fingers through his hair, and suddenly my heart starts beating wildly. Am I having palpitations? I’m a doctor—I should know these things, right?
I try to say something, but my mouth just opens and closes. My throat goes dry, and no words actually come out.
“Sage, did you hear me?” he says, furrowing his brow.
I look at him—really look at him. We’ve been together for about ten years. His light brown hair needs a trim.
The lines around his eyes and the dark circles beneath them are evidence of twelve-hour shifts in the ER at the same city hospital as me.
“Over?” I repeat, as if I’m having trouble hearing. Maybe I’m just blocking out the obvious.
“Yes, I’m sorry. We were good while it lasted, but I want out,” he tells me, not even looking remorseful.
Ten years—almost—living together, working together, going on movie dates, picnic dates. We’ve been practically joined at the hip.
We only had sex two nights ago. How can this possibly be over?
“I don’t understand, Miles. What are you talking about? Our relationship is fine,” I say, trying to fight back the bile rising in my throat.
I grip the island in our impressive chef’s kitchen, afraid that if I don’t hold on to something, I’ll collapse. My legs feel numb and shaky. I don’t trust them right now.
He lets out a long sigh and unbuttons the top two buttons of his navy shirt.
It’s been a grueling twelve-hour shift—one car accident emergency after another, several trauma patients, and a young girl who tried to commit suicide.
“I don’t understand,” I say again, trying to fight back the tears welling in my eyes. I love this man. Do you understand? I fucking love this man.
We were supposed to be getting married soon—the whole white wedding, family, friends, the after-party, and a honeymoon in the Seychelles. Everything, including the invites, has been worked out.
I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under my feet.
“Sage, don’t be like this. I want out of the relationship. It’s run its course.”
What is he saying?
We met when I moved here from Willowbrook, the small town where I grew up. Miles and I met as students in medical school and clicked immediately.
I dropped my books rushing to class one afternoon because I was too invested in reading a romance novel in the library. He was the guy I bumped into.
When he bent down to help pick them up, our foreheads banged together. We both laughed. I looked into his eyes and drowned.
It was an instant attraction. He gave me his number after he introduced himself and said to call him if I wanted to go out on a date.
Quick mover. But I liked that about Miles. He moved faster than a speeding bullet train, and the way he chased his career left me breathless.
“Is there someone else?”
God, I hate that I’m even asking, but the burning in my chest won’t let me hold back. There’s a fire in the pit of my stomach, and it’s tearing my insides out.
My chest tightens—I feel like I can’t get any air. My whole life is crumbling before my eyes, and I’m powerless to do anything. I grip the island tighter.
He lowers his eyes. That’s all the answer I need. I don’t want to know any more.
I rush from the kitchen, down the hallway, and into our bedroom—the very room we’ve had sex in for the last five years since we moved in and made it a home.
All the pictures of us sharing our life are scattered around. The one of us on his father’s sailing boat stands by my bedside. It’s my favorite picture—we’re carefree, young, and in love.
Happy days. But now, I just want to curl up into the fetal position and bawl my eyes out.
He knocks on the door.
“Go away,” I say quietly. I don’t want confrontation—my heart can’t take it. I don’t even want to know who he’s cheating on me with.
The thought makes me feel like I’m going to be sick. In fact, I am.
I rush to the private bathroom, pull up the toilet seat lid, and kneel down just in time for the vomit to come up from my stomach.
“Sage,” he says, coming to my side, holding my hair back. “I’m sorry, truly sorry. It just happened.”
I shove him away from me.
“Stop. Just stop. I don’t want to hear it. I’ll pack and leave. It’ll take me a few days.”
“Do you need anything?” he asks.
“From you? Forget it. Get out, get out. Leave me alone.”
“Fine, but you know this is strictly my apartment. I bought it for us with my inheritance from my granddaddy.”
Seriously? He is the biggest asshole I’ve ever come across. How can he even say that to me? This is our home.
“I can’t pack any quicker,” I tell him, then retch over the toilet again. My stomach is twisted and gnarled.
Will I ever get over this pain that feels like someone is stabbing me relentlessly in the gut and twisting the knife?
“You have the week,” he tells me curtly.
“Fine.” It’s all I can manage right now as anger washes over me. I guess this is all part of the shock.
He leaves me in the bathroom as I finally manage to flush the toilet and sit back against the peppermint-tiled wall, bringing my knees to my chest and hugging myself.
I don’t actually know how long I sit there, but it has gone dark in here. I have to move, only I feel unable to do anything.
Slowly, I get up and turn on the faucet to wash my face, then brush my teeth.
As I glance at myself in the mirror, I see the tears streaking down my face and the dark circles under my eyes. At least I still have my job, but working under Miles in the hospital isn’t going to be easy.
What will I do? I’ve worked my ass off and then some to be at this level within the ER department.
I can’t throw it away and look for something new just to avoid him.
It’s a problem for another day. For now, I have more pressing things to do, like start packing and find somewhere else to stay.
It’s going to be difficult. I can’t afford to buy anything here in the city. I might have a good position in the hospital, but I’ve also spent a huge amount of my money on all the upgrades in this apartment.
Silly me! I bought most of the expensive furniture, and we’ve enjoyed exotic holidays. So, yeah, I do have savings, but not enough for a down payment on a place in the city.
I’m exhausted as I throw myself on the bed. The pain in my chest won’t go away, and my stomach is in knots.
As much as I try not to think of all the wonderful times we’ve shared, I can’t stop the memories. Tears fall from my eyes, and I let them.
It feels as if a part of me has been cut off, like a severed arm.
When I wake in the morning, the apartment is quiet. Miles must have already left for the hospital.
I check the time—it’s eight in the morning. My shift starts soon. I can’t face going in; I have to call in sick.
It’s not like me to let people down.
My phone pings with a WhatsApp notification—it’s from Miles.
Maybe he has changed his mind? Wait, he had an affair, don’t even go there!
I read the message and feel like my entire world has just spun off its axis.
Miles
We will go through the proper channels, but just wanted to warn you, Sage, that due to cuts in the ER, we will be letting you go.
