Chapter Four

EVELYN 

The doctor led us into a small examination room, and Luna climbed onto the examination bed without a single complaint.

I felt my heart clench as I stood beside her, fearing what he might say to me as I watched every movement while the doctor checked her breathing, listened to her chest, and asked,

“How old is she?”

“Five.” I responded before adding, “She was born prematurely.”

My fingers tightened around the strap of my handbag at the memory of how it felt walking into the NICU every hour and thirty minutes, with my heart in my throat, wondering if I'd find my daughter alive. Tears gathered in my eyes, and my heart ached in ways I couldn’t explain because every time I closed my eyes, I was afraid. 

The doctor nodded as I secretly wiped the tears from my eyes. I was now hopeful and determined but it always broke my heart seeing my little girl suffering so much she couldn't run or dance like she always dreamed. 

“When was she first diagnosed with asthma?” Dr. Wilson asked.

“Since birth.”

“ I see.” He stood and put aside his stethoscope before he turned to face me,

“I'd like to run a few more tests and compare her results with the criteria for the new medication.”

My heart jumped at that news, a sudden weight being lifted off my chest immediately,

“Does that mean she might be able to take it?”

“We'll know after the tests.” Dr. Wilson said but the look in his eyes gave me hope. 

I felt Sophie squeeze my hand and I smiled. We shared a look that told me she could also feel the hope that was blooming. 

After collecting the necessary information, the doctor asked Luna to lie down while the nurse prepared her for the examination.

“You and your friend can wait outside. We'll call you when we're done.”

I nodded and kissed Luna's forehead.

“Mummy will be right outside, okay?”

“Okay. Will Auntie Sophie be there when I'm done too?” She asked and I laughed turning to face Sophie.

“What did you feed my daughter that she is so in love with you?” 

“It must be my beauty.” Sophie winked and I rolled my eyes as she walked over to Luna and kissed her cheek.

“I'll be right outside, I'm not going anywhere, okay?”

Luna nodded and the nurse walked over to attend to her. 

Sophie and I walked out together, and the moment the door closed behind us, she pulled me to her and hugged me tightly. I was so taken aback this wasn't expected.

“Sophie?” 

She pulled back and looked at me with tears in her eyes. I gave her a worried expression wondering if she was in pain. 

“l can't believe you've been doing this alone all these years. I know I came for a bit but it must have been so hard those first months when you were all alone. I didn't know all this, why didn't you tell me?”

“A lot was happening and you had so much going on with your family. I was going to tell you.”

Sophie nodded as we walked to a bench and sat down when she turned to face me,

“Thats why I think getting a new man isn't such a bad idea. You need someone by your side babe. A companion who will help you. They're so many great men in Sanford.”

“I'm not staying in Sanford.” I responded, ignoring her comment about finding a man. 

Sophie sighed as she leaned against the bench while staring straight ahead.

“You can't keep running forever, babe.”

“I’m not running.”

“ Then just stay and give love-”

“I don't need a man.” I cut her off, “Luna and I are perfectly fine. Besides, once she's done with her treatment we are leaving.”

“You don't need one. But you and I both know Luna might need a father. You can have all the money in the world but nothing can replace having a loving father-”

I looked away from her, and she immediately noticed making her tone soften as she reached for my hand,

“Eve, I'm not saying you need to get married tomorrow. I'm just saying... you've done everything alone for a long time. Maybe you deserve someone who can share the load.”

I nodded at her then checked the time on my phone. While rising to my feet,

“I uhm … woke up ridiculously early for the flight and I'm exhausted. I'm going downstairs to get coffee. You can stay here and wait for Luna in case they finish before I get back.”

I laughed awkwardly and walked away before she could say anything else.

But unfortunately, her words followed me haunting and ringing in my ears like a damn song on a loop.

Was she right?

Wasn't money enough to protect my daughter?

I sighed as I walked through the hospital corridors while Luna's words echoed at the back of my mind.

“Mummy do I have a Daddy? My friends always ask me where Daddy is and when he is coming back.”

I found a different excuse each time but Luna was sharp and intelligent, I wasn't sure how long I could hold this off.

I reached the hospital café and joined the queue. 

I was still thinking about Sophie’s words when the nurses behind me started talking in whispers. Not that I was interested in their stories but they were terrible gossipers. It was almost as if they wanted the entire hospital to hear them.

“Have you seen the new CEO?”

“No, but I've heard he's incredibly handsome.”

“Handsome? That's an understatement. He is freaking hot! He's young, too.” One of them giggled.

“If I ever get the chance to meet him, I'm definitely finding a reason to talk to him.”

I couldn't help smiling to myself. I wonder how it felt to giggle and feel your heart jump at the sight of a mere crush because I knew for sure I would never feel that way again. 

“What's his name?” another nurse asked.

it was my turn to walk to the counter but I had only taken one step forward when the nurse behind me responded with excitement, 

“Ashvin Blackwood. Who else can sweep the entire hospital off their feet without having to say a word?”

I stopped cold in my tracks and I felt my feet suddenly become heavy like I had lead in my shoes. 

Surely I had misheard her. Or by some miracle another Ashvin existed somewhere right?

“Ashvin from the Blackwood group? I didn't know they had acquired this hospital.”

The rest of their conversations went silent and I couldn't hear them anymore. I felt like I had water in my ears and I suddenly felt cold.

This was his hospital.

Of all the hospitals in the city, this was the one I had brought Luna to.

What if he found out she was here?

What if someone connected us?

What if—Oh no!

Forgetting why I was here in the first place, I turned and made a run for it. 

I didn't even care that people were staring as I hurried back toward the elevators.

My heart was pounding so hard that I could barely breathe. I had spent six years protecting my daughter from the man who didn't know she existed.

I wasn't going to let one careless coincidence destroy everything.

I stepped out of the elevator and hurried down the corridor toward Luna's examination room hoping with everything in me that we wouldn’t run into him.