Chapter 18

Horace’s pov.

I reached for Ethan immediately, unable to digest what Monica was saying.

“Elena, come on, I need words. Not silence. Can you explain yourself?” My voice grew louder, more hasty.

But she said nothing. Just got, held her head, looking shocked and confused.

Like she couldn’t believe someone could discover such a secret.

This only made me more unsettled, so I reached for the documents on the table, flipping them open.

The moment I went through the contents, my heart sank.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. Monica’s words were true.

Her medical school results were in front of me, where she failed all courses. No exceptions.

“Oh, that’s not all, boss. Flip to the next one.” Monica spat, and in my shocked state, I complied.

I flipped to the next page, and it was a report about how she paid off the school and slept with some staff members to get her results and subsequently, her license.

“Hah.” I scoffed, my hands shaking as I continued to look at the documents in front of me.

The nanny must have heard the commotion and came rushing in; she took Ethan and left the room immediately.

So, I turned my gaze to her.

“Were you really going to perform surgery on my son even though you had no idea what to do?”

I growled, but was met with no words.

“Dammit, Elena, answer me.” I slammed my hand on the table; her body jolted in response.

“Were you really going to turn my son into your little lab experiment?” I repeated, almost to the point of sobbing.

“Are you deaf, Elena. Can’t you spe—.”

“Shut that little hole of yours, Monica, and get out.” I cut in.

She looked shocked and hesitant, sluggishly looking around.

“Now!” I yelled again, and she hurriedly leapt out of the room.

We were finally alone, and I was hoping this could help her talk. Maybe give some sort of explanation.

“Come on, Lena. We’re alone now. Say something.” I said, basically pleading.

She finally turned to me. Hand on her chest and eyes welling up.

I went closer to her, and she took steps backward until she hit the wall and had no escape.

I blocked her, trapping her like a wall.

“Just say something, anything.” I pleaded.

“Were you really going to harm my son?”

“I would never.” She finally spat.

“You know I would never do anything like that.”

“So, what the hell does this mean?” I hissed, holding the document in the air.

She closed her eyes, letting the tears fall.

“I can’t do this, Horace. I have to go.”

She bent low, escaping from under my shoulder.

“What do you mean?” I turned, questioning her.

“You won’t understand. So, I’m just going to get whatever I have here and leave.” She replied, walking out of the room.

“Tch.” My mind wandered at what the possible answer to this could be.

It was very unlikely that she would do something like faking a license, but even worse was that she would try to risk Ethan’s life.

She seemed to genuinely like and care for him. I mean, she was even cooking meals that would help him for the upcoming surgery, so how was any of this possible? I kept asking myself.

And worst of all, she refused to give any explanations. Not even one.

I stood by my window, watching as she walked out with a small bag, donned in a simple floral dress.

A part of me wanted to get out there and hold her back from leaving, but I was too angry.

I was too confused about the discovery that I just let her leave.

My driver offered to drive her out, but she refused, walking straight to the gate.

I decided to make a call, someone who could help me look into all of this. I pulled out my phone, dialed the number, and put the phone to my ear.

“Yeah, Logan. Look into the Crimson Moon Medical School director from four years ago for me, would you? I need to speak to them as soon as possible.”

I said to the phone before hanging up. Although I was angry and pissed at her, I still had to do my own investigation on the situation.

That night, the house felt empty without her. The warmth she radiated had gone with her, and I was left with my own demons haunting me all night.

Ethan questioned me all day, asking for his mama. I had no idea what to say, how to comfort him. I just read him a story until he fell asleep.

I took myself out of his room. On my way back to my room, I passed through hers and stood there, my hands tucked into my pocket, just watching before I walked off.

The next night, I couldn’t deal with the nightmares I had the night before, so when I passed by her room, I didn’t just stand, watch, and walk off.

I pushed the door, walking in slowly. Her scent was everything, not one of those flowery perfumes, no.

But something that was particularly hers, her rawness and everything that made her up. I closed my eyes, inhaling every last drop the room could offer.

I wasn’t satisfied enough to leave, so I lay down gently on her bed. Her scent guided me as I drifted off to sleep peacefully.

A few days went by, and Logan finally got back to me on the subject.

The director from years ago had retired and traveled to another town to live, but he was willing to meet up with me and talk.

So, unable to wait a second longer, we made plans to meet immediately.

I got ready, put on my grey suit, and left the house.

As I entered the backseat of my car and my driver scurried down the road, my mind was on one thing only:

finally, I could get some answers and know what the hell was going on.