I had an early day at the office.
But before leaving, I decided to check on the kids. I’d returned very late last night and couldn’t see them.
Reaching their door, I heard her voice. I slowed my steps, her voice bringing me the usual discomfort.
Seeing and hearing her was the constant reminder of what she does to my body. It was something I hated and wished I could get rid of.
I opened the doors and as soon as my presence was seen, she stopped talking.
She had been sitting on the edge of the bed, applying something on Xylon’s chest and massaging. She’s always been quite good with the kids. Which was why it puzzled me that she had plans of leaving.
‘I know you might not believe it, but Xylon is the reason you caught me in the first place. And I intend to stay and finish my job on him. I chuckled. I can’t abandon a soul like that. Never!
Her words from two days stuck with me. Could there be any truth to that?
“Daddy!” Xyla ran to me, hugging me.
Xylon looked like he’d have the done same had Lyric not been holding him on the bed. But he smiled and waved at me. “How was your night?” I tousled Xyla’s hair and went close to do the same to Xylon’s. This brought me uncomfortably close to Lyric.
I noticed her lick her lips before she said, “Good morning, Alpha.”
I simply gave her a curt nod before returning my gaze to Xyla who started talking. “You came home late, dad. Xylon and I waited to see you, but you didn’t show up until we fell asleep in your room.”
Fell asleep in my room. For some reason, I found that cute.
“Sorry, pumpkin. I had to take care of certain things. Are you done with your list?” I asked them to make an unlimited list of what they wanted for their birthdays.
“Not yet. Aunty Lyric is helping us with it.”
I glanced at Lyric, our eyes locking for the briefest moments before she quickly looked away, like there was fire in mine.
I’ve noticed the kids were freer with Lyric than they were with their mother. It was surprising.
She stood up, grabbing her things along. She gave a rare soft smile to Xylon as she helped him sit up.
“Remember to take the meds when you get home from school, okay?”
He nodded happily.
“Bye, Xyla.” She tousled Xyla’s hair.
How did she do that? Be so sweet to the kids, I mean. She often gave them smiles she didn’t give to just anyone. And in return, the kids were sweet with her.
Her smile dropped when she faced me. Dipping her head, she headed for the door.
I was aware she’d almost passed out in the surgical ward yesterday. The sane me would’ve asked if she was alright. But I didn’t care. It’d be insane to care.
So, I let her leave.
**********
GUINEVERE
Arriving TCH that morning, Guinevere was headed to the President’s office when Nina, Owen’s granddaughter, ran to her with tear–filled eyes.
At first, Guinevere was scared, thinking something had happened to the man. But then she noticed the pregnant girl smiling.
“Oh, thank you. Thank you so much, Guinevere. You don’t know what this means to us,” Nina said as she pulled her into a hug.
Successfully unlocked!
ulders, she pulled her away.
The woman was taken by surprise. Her hands on “What’re you talking about, Kinky? I don’t think I follow.” She always called the girl her pet name from when she was a kid.
“I’m talking about grandpa! He’s fine! The surgery was performed on him last night.”
Guinevere felt like she’d just been told that the sun was pink.
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That shouldn’t be possible. Mr. Owens wasn’t scheduled for surgery until that morning.
She followed Nina to his room and was shocked to see that it was true. The man was indeed better and laughing like he didn’t have a care in the world.
He was even happy to see Guinevere. She asked him some questions concerning his surgery, but he told her he had been asleep and didn’t know anything of the doctor that had saved him.
When Guinevere left his room, she went straight for the tech room. It was delightful that Owens was okay now, but it was shocking that a doctor would operate on the man without informing anyone.
She gained access to the cameras from the tech guys and watched the footage with surprise. She saw someone go into Owen’s ward at night. Someone she knew quite right but didn’t expect would do something like that.
MARTA
Marta and Lyric arrived TCH the same time. Although, they kept a good distance between them and didn’t communicate. They were on the ground floor, walking toward the elevator when Guinevere approached them.
She stopped in front of Marta. “Doctor Monroe. I need you in my office. Now.”
Her tone was strict this morning.
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