I Am Married!

I Am Married!
Nathan’s POV

“Can you both just stop?!” I snapped, louder and colder than I meant to.

My mother actually flinched, her perfectly manicured hand flying to her chest like I’d slapped her. 

Angela batted her lashes, doing that fake-innocent thing she always pulled when she wanted to look like a wounded dove.

What the hell is this? Some kind of twisted family reunion? They just barged in and ruined the sweetest moment I’d had with Kayla in days. 

And where the fuck was Kayla? Why did she run off like that? How could she leave me with these people?

“What are you two doing here?” I demanded, pushing myself up properly in the hospital bed. Pain exploded through my shoulder, making me wince hard.

Angela rushed forward immediately, reaching out like she was going to help. “Nathan, baby, let me—”

“Don’t fucking touch me!” I growled. “And don’t you dare call me baby. Ever again.”

She froze mid-reach, eyes wide.

My mother gasped. “Nathan! Take it easy. That is no way to speak to your fiancée!”

“Angela is not my fiancée,” I shot back, breathing through the throbbing pain. “I don’t need either of you here. My wife was the one taking care of me all night. Didn’t I tell you yesterday that I’m married? Hmm? What kind of game is this? Trying to force the city’s favorite side chick on me?”

My mother blinked, looking genuinely confused. “City’s side chick? What on earth are you talking about, Nath?”

Angela jumped in fast, trying to distract her. “Mother, please don’t mind him. He’s still recovering and saying silly things that he doesn’t mean.” 

She turned to me with big, pitiful eyes. “Nathan, I know you’re upset, but I’m going to let it slide because you’re going through so much pain. I am just so in love with you. I only want to be a good wife—”

“Cut the bullshit,” I said flatly. “I’m a police officer. I’ve heard every version of your stories around the station. Spare me the act.”

My mother looked between us. “What stories? Nathan, why are you being so unreasonable? I honestly wanted to give this girl you mentioned a chance, but then Angela came to me and told me the truth…that she’s a single mother!”

I stared at her. “And what the hell is wrong with that? Didn’t you always say you wanted a grandchild? You should be happy you’re getting one early. The rest can come later.”

“No!” my mother burst out. “Our family is respected. What will people say when they hear my only son married a single mother? There are so many suitable girls from good homes… like sweet precious Angela here.”

I let out a bitter laugh and yanked Angela’s hand off my thigh when she tried to place it there again. “Mother, if Angela is your definition of a suitable girl, then I'd rather cut off my dick,” I said coldly and my mother gasped.

But before she could say anything, I continued. “This so-called ‘precious suitable lady’ you think so highly of? She’s the city’s favorite shared woman. Ask anyone with a dick and they will tell you.”

My mother’s head snapped toward Angela. “What?”

Angela’s mask finally cracked. She tried one last pitiful look before giving up and letting her real face show. 

“What’s wrong with a girl having fun before marriage? Men do it all the time, why can’t I? And besides, Nathan pushed me into that life! He wouldn’t touch me or even look at me!”

My mother stepped back like Angela had the plague. “You’re blaming my son? Don’t frigging touch me. You’re disgusting. How could you be so vile, Angela?”

Angela’s face twisted with anger. She stamped her foot like a spoiled child. “Really? You’re going to do this to me too?” She said angrily.

“I’ll suggest you get out of here before I lose it and slap some morality into you,” my mother said through gritted teeth.

Angela hissed angrily. “You haven’t heard the last of me!” She spun on her heels and stormed out, nearly knocking over a tray of medicines on her way.

The room went quiet for half a second before a nurse walked in holding discharge forms.

“Officer Nathan, you can leave anytime,” she said cheerfully. “The bullet didn’t hit any vital organs. Just keep the wound clean and change the bandage regularly.”

I sat up straighter, ignoring the sting. “Have you seen my wife? She was here with me all night.”

The nurse hesitated. “She left in a hurry. We even asked her to sign the discharge forms but said she wasn’t your wife… that your real wife was in this room.”

I cursed under my breath and shot my mother a furious look.

She looked genuinely guilty for the first time. “I’m sorry, Nath. I thought Angela was a good woman for you. Please… take me to your wife. I’d like to apologize for ignoring her.”

“That’s not happening right now,” I said, standing up slowly. “Kayla may not want to see you immediately. I’ll bring her home when I’ve fixed this mess.”

I grabbed my shirt and started pulling it on, wincing as the fabric brushed the bandage. My mother quietly signed the papers while I dressed.

“Felix will drive you home,” I told her.

“I came with our driver,” she replied softly. “Be careful. And… I really would like to meet Kayla properly. She’s the one who makes you happy, isn’t she?”

“Yes, mother. She makes me so happy,” I replied with a smile.

“Then bring her home, son. I would like to meet her,” she said calmly.

I paused, then pulled her into a quick hug. “Thank you, Mom. We’ll come see you and father soon.”

I left the hospital room and walked fast down the corridor, shoulder throbbing but adrenaline pushing me forward.

Felix was waiting near the entrance, eyes widening when he saw me. “Woah, woah, Captain! Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m going home. My wife is waiting.”

I kept walking toward the parking lot despite his attempts to make me slow down.

“Submit an absence form for me,” I told him. “I won’t be at the station for a while. I need time to recover.”

“But boss, the injury isn’t even that deep compared to…”

“That’s an order, Felix,” I replied, cutting him off as I got into my car and slammed the door. 

“Reach me on my line if anything important comes up. And I mean very important. Otherwise, don’t contact me.”

Before he could argue, I reversed out of the parking spot and peeled off, tires screeching.

My mind was a mess the entire drive to the bakery because I was certain she would be there. She did mention yesterday that she had a lot to do at the bakery. 

What if Kayla is upset about Angela? What if my mom ignoring her completely messed everything up? What if she shuts me out for good this time?

I pressed harder on the gas, heart hammering.

Please don’t shut me out, Kayla. I’m coming.