Chapter 4 - THE PROMISE KEPT
The private medical suite on the top floor of the Calder estate smelled of antiseptic and warm linen.
For thirty-six hours, Nora slept under the care of Roman’s personal physician, hooked to intravenous fluids and heavy antibiotics. When she finally opened her eyes on the second morning, the pale sunlight of a crisp Maryland afternoon was streaming through the sheer white curtains.
She wasn't on the pullout couch in Highlandtown. She was lying beneath heavy silk sheets in a bed larger than her entire childhood bedroom.
“You’re awake.”
Nora turned her head sharply.
Roman sat in a leather armchair beside the bed. He had removed his suit jacket; his white shirt sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, revealing the dark scars of old turf wars. He held a cup of black coffee in one hand, his dark eyes fixed steadily on her.
Nora tried to sit up, a gasp escaping her lips as her sore muscles protested.
“Don't move,” Roman said, standing up and quickly adjusting the pillows behind her back so she could sit comfortably. “The doctor said you need at least three days of absolute rest.”
“Mr. Calder… my brother,” Nora panicked, her hands grabbing the edge of the blanket. “Caleb! Where is Caleb? He was supposed to be at Mrs. Adler’s—he doesn't know where I am—he’ll be terrified—”
“Your brother is downstairs eating pancakes with extra chocolate chips,” Roman interrupted calmly.
Nora froze, blinking in disbelief. “What?”
“Marcus brought him here yesterday afternoon along with his dented tin box and his stuffed dog,” Roman said, taking a sip of his coffee. “He’s currently giving my head of security a lecture on baseball statistics in the main dining room.”
Tears welled in Nora’s eyes, spilling over her lashes. She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking as the sheer, overwhelming weight of the past week finally crashed down in waves of relief.
Roman watched her quietly. He set his coffee cup on the nightstand, walked over, and sat down on the edge of the mattress. Slowly, awkwardly—as if he hadn't comforted another human being in decades—he placed a warm, heavy hand on her shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” Roman said softly.
Nora looked up, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “For what, Mr. Calder?”
“For not seeing it sooner,” he replied, his gaze intense and unwavering. “For letting monsters like the Sterlings operate in a city I supposedly control. And most of all… for never thanking you.”
Nora stared at him, stunned.
“You brought me tea when I was drowning in nightmares,” Roman continued, his voice dropping an octave. “You looked after a house full of ghosts and never asked for anything in return. And when you were dying on that cold floor, your only thought was for a nine-year-old boy.”
May you like
He reached out, his thumb gently brushing away a stray tear from her cheek.
“You kept your promise to him, Nora. Now let me keep mine to you.”
