night settled in. Her fingers flew across the keyboard,
The quiet hum of Irene’s competer was the only sound in her study organizing everything into a treatment plan. She saved the last document, then leaned back, rolling stiff shoulders.
A glance at her screen’s clock made her wince. Past eight already,
Really lost track of time. Kids must be wondering where I disappeared to
Her gaze landed on the drawer holding her other phone–the one linked to her joy identity. Only a handful of people had that number, and she rarely turned it on these days.
She pulled it out, entered the passcode, and scrolled to “Matthew Hayes. The call connected almost instantly.
“Irene?” His voice came through clear. “Guessing you’ve seen the case
“Just finished going through everything,” she replied, sliding into work mode. “Complex, but not hopeless.”
“So… you’ll take it?” Hope and tension mingled in his voice.
“I can get the success rate to seventy percent,” she stated. “And you know I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”
His relief was audible. “That’s why I reached out. You always deliver. Looking forward to working together again.”
His tone softened. “How are the kids? Is Lily still playing piano?”
Irene’s expression warmed. “She’s getting better all the time. They all ask about you.”
“Miss them too,” Matthew admitted. “They lit up my clinic.”
He paused. “Meeting you and the kids was… different.”
“You’ll have to visit,” Irene said. “The kids would flip.”
They covered some technical aspects before ending the call, leaving Irene with that familiar buzz that came from tackling a worthy challenge.
When she finally made it downstairs, she was surprised to find not just her kids and grandfather, but Adam too.
“Mom’s alive!” Lily announced, spotting her first.
Irene gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry. Got sucked in.”
Alex rushed over. “Chef made your dinner, Thomas heated it up, he reported. “Uncle Adam said to make that salmon salad you like.
Irene glanced at Adam, touched. He acknowledged her with a slight nod, his eyes carrying a hint of concern.
“Thanks,” she said softly. “I’m starving.”
After a few bites and some water, Adam spoke up. “Heard you took on a new case?”
“Complex brain surgery, Irene replied, “with a survival twist.”
Adam studied her. “Won’t that mess with your recovery? You were just sick.”
1/
Chapter 168
Irene waved it off I’m fine. Besides, It’s fascinating–old colleague specifically asked for me?
Adam’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “Old colleague? From R Country?”
“Matthew Hayes, she explained, her tone shifting to something warmer than her usual clinical voice. “We were a good team back then. If Matthew’s struggling with this one, it’s something special.”
Joseph remained quiet, watching the conversation with interest, particularly noting the subtle shifts in Adam’s expression at the
mention of Matthew.
Later that night, as the clock neared ten, Irene checked her watch. Treatment time, she told Adam. “Want to try some new neural points today.”
In the treatment room, Adam noticed additional equipment beyond her usual setup.
“Got an idea for a new approach that might speed things up,” she explained, adjusting settings with quick, practiced movements.
Adam watched her profile as she worked, her face completely focused. He didn’t bring up Matthew again, but something about this doctor from Irene’s past caught his attention more than he’d expected. The subtle warmth in her voice when she mentioned his name, the way the kids immediately lit up – whoever this Matthew was, he clearly meant something to Irene beyond just a professional relationship.
The thought settled uncomfortably in Adam’s mind as he watched Irene’s hands move with practiced precision across his legs.
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