Chapter 12 Why can't call him Uncle?

RILEY

It was as if the charged moment between us had come to a screeching halt.

Killian froze, and his lips drew into a thin line.

“Killian!” Sophia called out again, knocking on the door when he didn’t answer. “I have something important I need to talk to you about. Can you let me in?”

His eyes narrowed before he eased up, straightening before heading toward the door.

I took a moment to catch my breath, a little more at ease without him looming over me. But any relief I felt disappeared the second that he opened the door.

Sophia stepped into the room urgently. “Goddess above, what took you so long? Father told me – ”

She stopped mid-sentence when her hazel eyes landed on me.

I sat up straighter.

“What’s she doing here?” she asked Killian warily, her mouth tightening.

Before he could answer, I rose to my feet.

“I should go,” I decided firmly, not wanting to be in the middle of whatever they had going on between them. “I need to get back to Dominic.”

Killian studied me for a moment, and I could see that he wanted to say something. But as I walked past him, he didn’t protest or try to stop me.

Sophia stepped aside, giving me one last disdainful look before promptly shutting the door behind me.

I lingered in the hallway for a moment, staring at the closed door. I could hear Sophia’s voice rising from inside, but I didn’t bother to stay any longer. Instead, I walked straight toward the elevators, trying to ignore the way my hands were still shaking.

***

On my way back to the hospital, I looked down at my phone and decided to call Hannah. It was around the time she usually took her lunch break, and after the morning I’d had, I needed to hear a familiar voice.

She picked up almost immediately.

“Hey,” she greeted me. “I was just going to call you.”

A quite sigh escaped me before I could stop it.

“Remember our commentary yesterday about men being exhausting?”

“Yes,” Hannah said. “Let me guess. Killian?”

I leaned my head against the car window and stared at the passing scenery.  

“I don’t even know where to start.”

“That bad?”

I let out a humorless laugh. “Maybe worse.”

Hannah stayed silent, giving me space to continue.

“Dr. Ward called me in today…” I began.

She listened carefully as I recounted what had happened—the conversation with the doctor, the possible transfer, and my confrontation with Killian earlier.

“So,” I concluded, “he arranged everything with Dr. Ward before telling me, and he didn’t think it was a problem.”

“Shit,” Hannah cursed. “Sounds just like a wealthy bastard.”

I closed my eyes and let out a quiet huff.

“The worst part is I know the transfer he arranged is probably the best thing for Domi,” I admitted. “But… I don’t know if I should agree to it.”

“What are you hesitating about?” Hannah asked.

I tightened my grip on the phone.

“I’m not sure I can trust him, Hannah.” I said. “I…I’m afraid he may just… want to take Domi away from me.”

The words felt heavier once they were spoken aloud.

Was I pissed at Killian? Absolutely.

But I was more terrified of the idea that he could steal my Dominic away and leave me utterly alone.

“You know, he…has everything,” I continued in almost a whisper, vulnerability sneaking into my tone.

“Money. Power. Connections. He can give Domi things I never could. And I keep thinking… what if he decides I’m just the insignificant person who happened to raise him until he came along?”

My throat tightened.

“I…I know it sounds stupid.”

“It doesn’t,” Hannah said. “Riles, you’ve been Domi’s entire world for four years. Of course, you’re scared of someone changing that.”

I pursed my lips together.

“But listen to me,” she continued, “if Killian really wanted to take Domi away from you, I don’t think he would have done all this. He’d probably have gone straight to court to fight for custody.”

She paused.

“A rich asshole like him is probably just used to getting his way. It doesn’t make what he did right, but it doesn’t mean he’s trying to replace you.”

“Besides, think about it. Isn’t his ability to help Domi the reason you decided to find him again in the first place?”

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting her words settle.

She was right.

The point wasn’t how he planned to treat me. It was what he could do for Domi.

Whether it was for a marrow donation or for access to better treatment, Domi needed him.  Killian was capable and willing to help, even if they way he went about it infuriated me.

Letting my fear control me would only delay Domi’s treatment.

I released a slow breath and relaxed my grip on the phone.

“I hate that you’re always sharp and making sense,” I murmured.

Hannah laughed softly. “I know. It’s very inconvenient.”

A small smile tugged at my lips.

“And don’t forget I’m always here for you,” she said firmly. “If Killian tries anything, remember that your best friend is a lawyer. She’s ready to fight alongside you. Every step of the way.”

I laughed quietly.

“Thank you, Hannah. I love you.”

“Always. I love you too.”

For the first time all morning, my chest felt a little less tight.

***

That afternoon, I decided to look up Dr. Raphael Douglas.

While a more paranoid part of me had worried that he was a quack or a fraud, he was indeed a leading specialist in rare blood diseases with a prestigious background.

As I scrolled through his information, his picture popped up and looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I would have seen it. He had a kind face at the very least, one that made you want to trust him.

When I clicked on the next page, information on the medical center he mainly worked for popped up, but the address made me pause.

It looked like it was in the same area where Killian’s office building was, but the valley had seemed so empty…

Was there a mistake on the website?

“Mommy?” Domi’s sleepy voice interrupted the silence.

I looked up from my phone and set it aside before scooting closer to him.

“Oh, Domi, you’re awake.”

“Where’s Uncle Dale?” he asked innocently as I ran my fingers through his hair.

Uncle Dale.

Truth be told, I had no idea where he’d gone. Dale had left quickly after I’d arrived at the hospital. He seemed to be in a hurry and hadn’t explained much, so I assumed it was some kind of work emergency.

“I’m not sure, honey,” I explained. “He probably got busy with something.”

Domi seemed a little disappointed but nodded.

“Do you like Dale?” I asked as I toyed with his hair.

He nodded again. “He’s funny. And I also like Killian, Mommy.”

“You’ve only seen him once, sweetheart,” I replied, trying to keep my emotions out of my expression.

Domi shook his head insistently.

“Killian came last night when Auntie Hannah and Uncle Dale were sleeping. He said he couldn’t sleep cause he napped during the day just like me, Mommy.”

“Really,” I said, a little tensely. “I didn’t know that.”

“Do you not like him, Mommy?” he asked.

I sat up a little straighter.

“Why would you ask that, baby?”

“Because you’re like this when he’s here,” he replied. Then, he made a little face, furrowing his brows and scowling.

I tried to stifle a laugh, and my lips quirked into a smile.

“Killian is fine,” I assured him. “Sometimes grownups just make funny faces. I’m glad he came to see you and that you like him.”

Domi tilted his head and leaned into my touch. He soaked up my affection for a moment and then looked up at me.

“Mommy?” he asked. “Why did Killian say not to call him Uncle Killian? He said you’d tell me why.”