Love Me Slowly, Lose Me Gently

‘Kiara, I'll be back… I promise.’

Would he?

Weren't her dreams becoming too wild recently?

Killian never said goodbye whenever he left.

His business trips could take days, weeks, or even months, but he never told her goodbye.

Kiara only always knew about his trips from his assistant. 

Wasn't this dream an irony to her reality?

Wasn't Killian being too affectionate in this dream?

Was this a sign that better days were coming?

“Mommy…” 

The tiny voice of a child gradually pulled her away from her sleep, bringing her back to reality… to the hospital’s ward. 

Kiara fluttered her eyelids, rubbing the sleep off her eyes. 

Opening her eyes to the sight of her daughter lying on the bed, she tried to force a smile, to look normal. 

If only her heart was strong enough not to break each time at the sight of her baby looking so frail and pale. 

“Hey, Baby…” She reached out to stroke her raven black hair, a stark resemblance to Killian's hair. 

Having the same thick brows and thin lips, Lily could look exactly like her father if she didn't have Kiara’s oval face and round eyes.  

“When's Daddy coming, Mommy?” She murmured, her lips pursing. “I miss Daddy.”

Kiara did too. 

Strangely, Killian didn't answer her phone calls.  

Ever since Lily's illness acted up and she was brought to the hospital three days ago, not an hour passed by without her trying to reach him on the phone.

The phone would ring until it stopped. However, he never called back.  

“Baby, remember I told you that Daddy needs to work hard.” Kiara’s lips ached from faking a smile. 

But she couldn't break down now. Not in their daughter's presence. 

The last thing she wanted was her baby sensing something was off. She'd rather have her believe they were a perfect family. 

“Daddy's currently busy and can't come home now.”

“You always said that, Mommy.” Lily sighed, gloom spreading across her face. 

The glimmer in her eyes was long gone, and the more days that passed, the more her eyes dimmed. “Daddy doesn't need to make more money. I just wanna hug him.” 

Her eyes watered up. 

Kiara couldn't stand it. 

She feared that if she spent another minute here, she'd break down from seeing her daughter in this state. 

Sometimes, she hated herself, and sometimes, she hated him. 

But Killian had been very busy ever since his father passed away a year ago and he had to assume the president’s position of RK Business Empire. 

He'd made her know that he wouldn't have time for them.

She couldn't be any more understanding.

“It's okay, Mommy…” Just like hers, her daughter's smile was broken and weak. “I know Daddy loves me. When he comes back, I'll tell him that I love him too.” 

Kiara chuckled.

Who was she kidding?

Lily was only three years old but with an IQ of a genius. 

She was only deluding herself, thinking her baby didn't know what was going on. 

Her sad smile revealed it all.

Unable to hold back her tears, Kiara leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. Then her baby whispered, “I love you too, Mommy. I love you and Daddy.”

“Mmm.” Kiara choked on her words. “We both love you, Baby.”

But she couldn't remain sitting there. 

Fearing she'd get too emotional again, she left the ward, looking for the nearest washroom. 

She could use the bathroom inside the ward, but then, her baby would hear her cry and that would only break her already weak heart further. 

“Mrs. Reid, are you alright?” She bumped into the nurse on her way, almost crashing into the medication cart. 

Kiara stood up straight, composing herself. “I- I'm fine.”

“I'm about to change Lily's drip-”

“Please go ahead, I'll be right back.” She cut the nurse, hurrying in the opposite direction. 

She didn't need to go far. She wasn't supposed to cry. 

Her daughter needed her by her side,

But,

If only Killian could answer her calls.

If only he could spare a minute to at least speak with his daughter on the phone. 

For a three-year-old, she was already going through a lot. Funny how the little girl always preferred her Daddy's company. 

Leaning against the wall in the hallway that led to the washroom, Kiara dialed his number again. 

The phone rang as usual. He didn't answer. 

She tried three more times. Killian didn't answer the phone. 

Who else could she reach out to? 

Even his assistant’s line was switched off. 

Slowly, a foreboding feeling rose in her heart. 

What if something bad had happened to him? Was that why he didn't answer his phone?

However, she had to be positive. 

If anything went wrong with his trip, it would have been broadcast on the media by now. 

Shoving those horrible thoughts aside, Kiara pulled herself together and walked away.

She hadn't taken three steps yet when the corner of her eye caught sight of a familiar figure. 

Was that Killian? 

The tall figure that just strode out of the elevator was definitely her husband. 

She couldn't see his face properly because his back was to her, but that dominant aura screamed of his presence.

He appeared to be in a rush. 

Was he coming for them- for Lily? Did he hear about her illness? 

Weird though. 

Killian was going in the opposite direction, his footsteps hasty. 

Kiara called out his name but he didn't seem to hear her. 

Their daughter’s ward was in a different hallway. Was he given the wrong room number? 

Her heart coming back alive with the hope that Lily would soon smile again, Kiara hurried after him. 

By the time she caught up with him, she was already gasping for breath.  

He was so fast! Was he so worried about their daughter? 

“Killian-”

“Killian.”

She trailed off because someone else called out his name at the same time she did. 

A young lady came out of the ward he stopped at, running straight into his arms. “What took you so long?”

“Why did you bring him here?” His deep voice had an irritated tone to it. “I told you not to bring him here.”

“I had no choice, Killian, please don't blame me!” The lady sobbed. “This is the best Children’s Hospital in the country. Do you want us to lose him?”