One Week Later Watching the doctor closely exam me, I tilt my head. “You know what I just realized? No one ever calls you by your name.” He arched his eyebrow at me. “Is that your way of saying that you don’t know my name?” “No it’s me pointing out that most people call you doc or kind of just start a conversation with you.” He let out a chuckle that turned into a full laugh. “What’s so funny?” “I was only teasing, but you have no clue what my name is, do you? An entire friendship and professional relationship developed, and you haven’t the faintest idea about the name of the man who oversees your wellbeing.” Caught red-handed, I blush. “Alright, you figured me out. I know I should have asked, but it’s a little embarrassing. Sorry.” “It’s alright, Lady Karin,” he replied, his eyes gleaming. “Okay then, what is your name?” He smirked. “Doc.” “Hilarious.” Pulling out his identification card, he hands it to me and my mouth pa
ANSEL POV Ansel stormed into his father’s bedroom and slammed the door. “You had no right to pull rank on the keepers of my manor so that they would let Cherry in.” “Mind your tongue, Ansel,” King David said. “Hot tempered or not, I am still your father and King.” Ansel’s breath harshened as he worked to control his rage. “I am so sick of this. My life is not a game, father. I am not some pawn that you can use for whatever it is you’re planning.” “Oh don’t be so dramatic. It was only a visit.” “From the one person I told you I had no desire to see! I expressed my disgust at the sight of her, and still you are determined to have things your way.” He closed his eyes. “It took everything in me to control my vomit when she touched me today. She crossed a line with what she did to Karin.” King David scoffed. “You’re still upset about that? Yes, I agree that she may have gone a little overboard in her reaction, but she apologized, and the girl didn’
“Wait, it’s not what you think!” I shout as I stumble.Ethan catches me with one arm effortlessly and his smirk turns into a full out grin. “Really? Because from here it looks like I’ve caught you maneuvering on your own.”I pull away from him and hobble to my bed. “Let me guess, this is the part where you out me?”He laughed. “No this is the part where you tell me the truth about how much you’ve been able to do.”I sigh. “I can walk, not perfectly, but a lot better. My hand is still not great, but I feel that it’s slowly healing, and my ribs don’t hurt as much as they did.”“You little faker,” he repeats, and I roll my eyes. “That’s great progress, Karin, seriously. Does that mean that you and Ada are no longer at odds?”“What? How do you know about that?”He lifts the folder in his hand. “Notes from Doc. I need to know everything so that I can effectively form a course of treatment.”“Fine. So are you going to tell anyone?” He shook his head. “Really? Why not?”“Because obviously yo
“If I wasn’t so happy that you’re doing better, I would be offended,” Maggie says as she playfully scowls at me. I rub the back of my neck sheepishly. “Sorry, I’ve been such a pain. I’ve been healing better than I expected, and it’s caught me by surprise. It’s been on heck of a ride and honestly, even though physically I felt like I was getting better, mentally was a different story.” “I get it and I’m glad that you felt comfortable sharing now. What brought about the change?” “Dr. Ethan. He made me realize that my healing didn’t mean that people expected me to be completely alright. I still have a long way to go and those around who care about me will understand…including you.” “I have been told that he’s a smart man,” she replied, smirking. “What’s with the face?” “Oh nothing. I’m just thinking that one would have to be blind not to notice how handsome the good doctor is.” “Don’t start.” Maggie raised her hands defensively. “I w
KARIN POV “Up and out with the doctor again, huh?” Maggie asked as she dusted the lamp fixtures in my room. “You two have been spending a lot of time together.” “Mags, spending time with the doctor who is aiding in my healing comes with the territory of getting better. I bet you wouldn’t be giving me such a hard time if it was Doc.” “Because if it was Doc, we would also have updated information on your ability to remain a surrogate.” She placed her hands on her hips. “It seems that Dr. Woods has forgotten that’s part of his job too. Doc took detailed notes so that the new doctor could follow and continue to monitor you before and during pregnancy.” I know Maggie has a point, but it doesn’t mean that I want her to. Spending time with Ethan had helped me in ways I hadn’t thought it would. Ansel was nowhere in sight and though Maggie confirmed he was still working day and night dealing with the casinos, deep down, I knew that our conversation was the true rea
Crashing back onto the bed, I remain silent. I couldn’t understand it. This entire time he knew who I was, and he never said anything, but why? “Explain yourself,” I say. Ethan nods. “I wasn’t lying when I said that my parents weren’t the cuddly or affectionate type or that I grew up with nannies most of my life. There was one particular one who was my favorite. Greta. She was the mother I never had, but always wanted. Even though my family had money, it didn’t stop her from bringing me trinkets and things that she said were important because they came from her heart, and not just her wallet.” “She sounds wonderful.” He smiled warmly. “She was. I think that’s why my mother eventually grew jealous of our relationship. My mother may not have wanted to do all the things that mothers do, but that didn’t mean that anyone else was going to come along and outshine her. Anyway, one day my parents received some tickets for a dance performance from a client. They knew not a
“I can’t believe you,” Ada says to me. “After everything, you still betray our mate.” “I would never do that. Ethan and I are friends.”“Then I suggest you make that very clear to him.” “Uh oh, what did I walk into?” Joy asked as she entered the villa. “You can cut the tension in here with a butter knife.” “Nothing,” I say, adjusting my clothes. “Doctor Ethan was finishing up my appointment.” “Looks like you two were doing more than what is needed to make sure that you’re alright,” Maggie said. I glare at her, but it slowly fades. “You said it yourself, Mags. It’s not like I can pretend that he isn’t handsome and with everything that he told me today, I guess I just got swept up in the moment.” Joy lays across my bed and probs her head up with her elbows. “Oh…what happened? Spill.” “Apparently, Ethan knew me before his first visit. He said that he used to attend my performances from age twelve until five years ago, right before I left Blue Moon.”
The Next Day-Evening “He has my size down to a science,” I say to myself as I strap on the new pointers Ethan purchased for me. Adjusting my tutu, I prepared myself for what I hoped would prove to be a great experience. It was weird being in the manor after all this time, and without Ansel it somehow felt cold. But here I was, and I had to say that Maggie and Joy were right. This was the perfect place to hopefully get my confidence back. I glance over at the piano and then shake my head. “Don’t think about that today, Karin,” I will myself. “You need to focus.” It was easier said than done with that piano reminding me of the time that Ansel and I rehashed old memories. Flexing my feet, I’m relieved that there is no pain, especially since the shoes are brand new. “Karin, are you in here?” Ethan says in the doorway. “Yes. Come on in.” He enters and his mouth immediately drops to the floor. “I take it this wasn’t what you were expecting.” “Not at all, b