Chapter 6

Bruno POV

I adjusted my necktie immediately I’d stepped out of the boardroom. The year's quarterly review had gone better than expected, the numbers were doing well, better than the last years, clients were satisfied, investors were pleased. Everything was perfect.

I fell into the leather seat in my office, slightly stretching my body. It has been a very long day.

A sudden notification buzzed on my phone, checking it out, I realized I have got twelve missed calls from Elnora, the nanny. My chest tightened and immediately I jolted up the chair. Something was wrong.

I dialed back immediately and she picked after the first ring.

“Sir, ThankGoodness!” Her voice came from the other side of the phone with a brief sign of relief. “It Nellie, she collapsed and she is not responding”

“What do you mean Collapsed?”

“I didn’t know what to do… one minute she was playing around and the other she was coughing so hard till she collapsed.” She explained, her voice shaking.

“Have you called the doctor? Where is Linda?”

“The doctor should arrive any moment from now. And madam.. I have called several times but she is not picking and she is not home-

I didn’t wait to hear her finish when I grabbed my jacket, picked up my suit back and stormed out of the office.

“Sir- Emily, my secretary called out but I didn’t wait another second before I waved her out rushing outside the company building.

“How could she be absent? Now”

As I drove down the street, I couldn’t help but find myself thinking back to Elnora call. It must be pretty out of control for her to call in and Laura, she was nowhere to be found as always. She has never been around even after knowing too well that our child needs so much attention.

For years, that little child has been going through so much pain- from one different hospital visit, to different diagnoses fighting for her life. The little we could do as a parent was stand by her through this moment but Linda, always found a way to prove herself not worthy of a mother.

“Shit!- I pulled the car over on the other side of the road. I continuously slammed my hand on the car steering wheel, anger surging through my veins at this moment.

******

“How is she?”

“Pretty stabilized. Dr Shaun is in with her” Elnora responded as she helped with the back pack in my hand.

I didn’t even spare her another glance before I rushed up the stairs into Nellie’s room. She was laying down on the bed with a soft blanket covering her body, as if that could shield her from the pain but I could tell she was in so much pain. Her breath was shallow with her chest rising and falling, her eyes pale and her lips dry.

I held her tiny little hand, gently rubbing them, melting them into mine.

“She is stabilized all thanks to the meds but I can’t guarantee this will last forever. She needs a medical surgery as soon as possible so we don’t run into emergency-

“And what have you been doing?" I questioned, glancing at Shaun who stood the other way across Nellie bed. In his hand was a paper, more like a dialogue report.

He cleared his throat and continued.

“Like I have said before now, this isn’t some ordinary surgery. The heart is not something any doctor can take on. Many doctors rejected and we are left with only one in the whole city with no failed record”

“And why is he or she not here already? My child is dying, Shaun! Can’t you see” I sneared, this time I was standing in front of him.

“I’m trying my best,” he responded, his voice calm. “Just in here, we got a response, Dr Clara rejected and won’t be taking on the surgery not because she can’t-

“But why?” I questioned panicking. I mean who wouldn’t, after how many years, we finally found a doctor who could and now she is refusing.

“Why? Is there something she wants? anything at all consider it done. I just want my daughter healthy, all

Of this pain is too much for her” I added, my voice shaking.

“Nothing close.. something like a personal reason, but I promise, I will sort this out and make sure i see with Dr Clara Myself”

And for a moment, the name “Clara” rang a bell in my head, striking a nerve. I used to know a Clara but there was no way it could be the same Clara. The dead can’t be a doctor in the land of living. Even if she was alive, there was no way she could amount to being a doctor.

“Are you sure you don’t have any personal relationship with any Dr Clara because my secretary was so sure it was on a personal grudge or something?” Shaun interrupted with my thought and immediately I began to think deep in my head.

She was dead. I was sure of it but then again, I never set my eyes on her body. What if she played a trick on me thinking I would accept her back. Maybe she expected me to come crying, I was just confused at this point.

“Can I see her profile?” I murmured out

“Sure” Shaun responded and immediately swiped on his phone.

“Dr Clara, a highly respected surgeon who has never had a failed surgery. A woman of zeal with a flawless record. Beyond the operating room, Clara is a business woman with a lot of landed property to her name. Despite her success, Clara's heart and compassion towards children remained strong. She owns and run an orphanage home where she provide shelter, love and education to abandoned children”

My mouth opened in awe staring at the picture staring right back at me- the woman who used to run after me everywhere I go. pleading my attention and seeking validation. That woman who without me doesn’t feel complete. Maybe not anymore, she seems to be leaving well even without my presence. My Ex-wife Clara.

How? And when did the table turn over me?