CHAPTER 2: Unsettled

Lunch didn’t seem appealing—especially a meal that would be hard to stomach. So, I simply said, “It’s fine. I’ll eat at the hospital instead.”

A gentle knock interrupted us, and the secretary appeared with paper bags in hand. As she passed them to Kyros, our eyes met briefly. 

“Happy Hearts Day, baby.” Kyros retrieved a box from one of the bags and carefully fastened its contents around my wrist. “The bracelet suits you perfectly,” he murmured, pressing his lips to my knuckles. 

I glanced at the other bag.

“What’s inside? Is that for me, too?” I asked, feigning curiosity despite already knowing the answer.

“A pair of earrings. Mom asked me to buy them along with my order when she found out I was purchasing from this brand.”

“Oh.” I gave him the chance to come clean, to choose honesty over deception. But his lie only added to the chaos already swirling in my mind.

He pulled me into a warm embrace. “Does this mean I’ll be having dinner alone tonight? I made a reservation at an Italian restaurant with a city view. I should probably have my secretary cancel.”

A pang of sadness hit me. Somehow, I could still feel Kyros loved me. And yet, this was the second year in a row that we wouldn’t spend Valentine’s Day together. I tried to silence my doubts, telling myself I was just being paranoid about his fidelity. 

“Why don’t you take a week off? We could escape to New Zealand together,” he suggested. 

“Yeah, let’s do that,” I agreed.

I stayed a little longer, cherishing the moment with him. He was sweet and attentive—his usual self. There was nothing outwardly suspicious, and yet, the unease inside me wouldn’t fade. 

His phone rang, and he answered with casual ease. He listened, mostly silent. I caught only his response: “He scolded you?” 

Kyros glanced at me, but I kept my expression neutral, pretending to be absorbed in the business magazine in my hands.

“I’m sorry,” he said into the phone. “But you know I’m with Gazelle right now.”

He ended the call, but I noticed he seemed unsettled.

“Babe, I need to send an urgent file to finance. Wait here for me.”

Without waiting for my response, he hurried off, but instead of taking any files, he grabbed the paper bag containing the bracelet. 

Thirty minutes passed, and Kyros still hadn’t returned. Growing impatient, I sent him a message: 

Me: ‘I’m heading out, or I’ll be late to the hospital.’

The secretary’s desk sat empty, and my mind wandered back to Kyros’s phone conversation. Could she have been the one calling him? 

Lost in thought, I nearly collided with Stella in the lobby. She’s a friend from my sorority.

“Wow! Isabella! Fancy seeing you here!” she greeted me with a bright smile. At that moment, it felt like I had found an ally.

“Do you have time to talk?” I asked, leading her to a nearby coffee shop inside the building.

I had heard that Stella now worked under Kyros’ brother, Maximus Ferrero. She had been dealing with issues in her family business, which led her to take a position at my boyfriend’s office.

Once seated, I couldn’t hold back anymore. “I think Kyros is cheating on me.” 

Stella eyed me with confusion as if I had just grown three heads. “There haven’t been any rumors in the company.”

“Well, not unless it’s with someone he sees all the time,” I countered.

“You mean…?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“The secretary,” I said. “They see each other daily—perfect cover for meeting up, creating alibis.”

Stella shifted uncomfortably. Before she could respond, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen but declined the call.

“That’s Maximus. He’s looking for me,” she said.

“Oh! I’m sorry for keeping you.” 

She reached across the table, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Gazelle, do you think Kyros would cheat on you? You’ve been together for years. You’re about to get married. Could this just be pre-wedding jitters?”

Her words made sense. Maybe I was overthinking. And besides, I didn’t want to bother Stella any further.

For now, I decided to let it go.

*** 

By the time evening arrived, I had already helped two women bring new life into the world on Valentine’s Day. But what I didn’t expect was to see Emily—the sister of one of the mothers—rushing into our ward.

She was anxious, her grip tight on the wheelchair as she wheeled her sister inside.

“Please help her!” she pleaded desperately, her voice faltering as she recognized me. “M-Miss Gazelle!” 

The patient wasn’t due yet, but complications had forced an emergency delivery. I nodded reassuringly as we whisked her sister into assessment. 

Emily remained outside the delivery room, pacing anxiously, waiting for any sign that both her sister and the baby would be safe.

Hours passed before we finally delivered the child.

Exhausted, I stepped out to get a drink of water, only to find Emily waiting for me. Her eyes softened with gratitude. She was sweet and kind… and yet, I couldn’t shake the guilt gnawing at me for misjudging her.

“Miss…” she hesitated before lowering her voice. “I thought you had plans with the boss.” Her tone carried an unmistakable suggestion. 

My heart stumbled. “He didn’t cancel the restaurant reservation?” 

Emily sighed, her expression unreadable. “The boss truly loves you—that’s not a lie. He wouldn’t send you gifts, flowers, or worry over the smallest things if he didn’t. You’ll always be his priority. He’d die for you…” She paused, her eyes suddenly intense. “But run while you can, Miss Gazelle.” 

Her words sent a chill down my spine. I wanted to demand an explanation, to ask outright: ‘Who should I be watching for?’ 

But before I could speak, a voice called her name from the other end of the hallway.

“Emily!”

A man approached swiftly and pulled her into a hug. “How’s your sister?”

“She’s safe now. The baby came earlier than expected, but they’re both out of danger. Thank you for asking!” Emily replied, then stole a glance in my direction. “Oh, by the way, this is Miss Gazelle, I mean Dr. Sinclair—she’s the reason I got through my college program, and she also helped with my sister’s delivery. Miss Gazelle, this is Leo, my fiancé.”

She’s engaged?

I shook Leo’s hand politely before excusing myself, but my mind whirled with unanswered questions. 

Who gifted Kyros the watch? Who had he spent the evening with? 

If I wanted answers, I had to find them myself.

The chief urged me to rest, but I had already made up my mind. I’ll return home.

Something in my gut whispered that dawn would bring answers. And for once, my intuition wasn’t wrong...