Chapter 273
Pancake batter sizzled as Irene lipped another golden round onto the growing stack. Morning chaos swirled around her– comfortable and predictable, unlike the random flashes of that dingy apartment that still ambushed her thoughts.
‘Mom! Are those blueberry?” Lucas tried sneaking a pancake off the plate.
Irene tapped his hand with the spatula. “Sticky fingers off until everyone’s seated, monster.”
She breathed in the familiar morning sounds–Lily humming, off–key, Alex’s tablet beeping with morning news alerts. Home. Safe. Normal.
Alex’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses when Irene reached for the syrup, her sleeve riding up. “What happened to your arm?”
Irene’s stomach dropped. She tugged her sleeve down, cursing herself for slipping up. “Nothing. Just caught it on a door at the hospital.
“That’s not a door bruise, Alex said, leaning closer. “Those look like fingerprints.”
“Yeah, doors don’t have fingers,” Lily added, pancake stuffed in her cheek.
Irene forced a laugh. “Look at my medical detectives! Seriously though, it’s nothing. Pass the butter?”
“Did you show Adam our drawings?” Lucas jumped in, practically bouncing in his seat. “I bet he loved the rocket ship I made!”
“He said your spaceship had really cool details,” Irene smiled, remembering how carefully Adam had studied each drawing.
Lily put down her fork, eyes suddenly serious. “Mom? Do you like Adam better now? You know, after your special trip together?”
Coffee nearly went down the wrong pipe as Irene coughed. “What?”
“You guys were gone together for days,” Lucas said, as if explaining basic math. “And your face gets all weird when we talk about
him.”
“My face does not get weird,” Irene protested, feeling her cheeks warm.
“It’s doing it right now!” Lily pointed, giggling.
“Okay, breakfast inquisition over.” Irene stood, grabbing her bag. “I need to check on Little Bell at the hospital. Finish your food, brush your teeth, and don’t terrorize Joseph while I’m gone.”
As she drove, fragments of memory flickered–rough hands, a van door slamming, Adam standing when he shouldn’t be able to. Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel.
Then Adam’s shoulder under her cheek, his scent surrounding her. Waking up completely wrapped around him like some sort of clingy octopus. Her face burned all over again, but beneath the embarrassment was a warmth she couldn’t deny. Something about him felt right in a way she hadn’t experienced in years.
The pediatric ward greeted her with cartoon animals painted on pale blue walls. Soft beeping and muffled conversations drifted from open doors. Outside Little Bell’s room, Irene paused at the sound of laughter.
and then the brave knight told the dragon A familiar voice paused. “Well, look who’s here! The real princess from our story!”
Matthew sat beside Little Bell’s bed, a children’s book open on his lap and a genuine smile warming his face. The little girl’s eyes lit up when she spotted Irene.
1/3
Chapter 273
“Dr. Sterling!” Little Bell wavell excitedly, her thin arm tangled with tubes. ‘Dr. Hayes was telling me about the princess who saves
everyone!
trene set her bag down. “Was he now? And how’s my favorite patient loing today?”
He brought me a new book!” Little Bell pointed to a colorful stack her nightstand. “And he knows all the voices for stories!” Her eyes darted between them, suddenly curious. “Is Dr. Sterling your girlfriend, Dr. Hayes?“.
Matthew’s laugh came easily. “No, just friends.”
“But you’re both doctors,” Little Bell persisted, clearly disappointed. And pretty.”
“Sometimes friends are just friends,” Irene explained, checking the girl’s chart.
Little Bell crossed her arms. “Well, I’m gonna marry Matthew when 1 grow up! He promised to wait!”
“A sacred vow,” Matthew agreed solemnly, winking at Irene.
Watching him with Little Bell, Irene couldn’t help but notice how easy everything seemed with Matthew–straightforward, uncomplicated, friendly. Nothing like the complicated feelings that surfaced whenever Adam was near.
After they finished checking Little Bell, Matthew touched her elbow lightly. “I was hoping to catch you. I’ve got a tough case similar to Bell’s but not getting better with the usual treatment. Any chance you could grab lunch and take a look?*
“Sure,” Irene nodded. “I’ve got an hour before my next appointment.
Thirty minutes later, they sat in a corner booth at Silver Garden, pictures of brain scans spread between their plates. The restaurant hummed with quiet conversations and clinking silverware.
“See this problem area here?” Matthew pointed to a scan. “The regular treatment should be working, but we’re seeing almost no improvement.”
Irene leaned closer. “Have you tried changing how often you do the treatments?”
They traded ideas back and forth, suggesting different approaches. It felt good focusing on helping someone instead of kidnappings or the way her heart jumped whenever Adam looked at her lately.
“What about trying less power but more sessions?” Irene reached for a grape from the fruit plate. “Sometimes that works better with
kids.”
Her sleeve slipped as she extended her arm. Matthew’s face changed instantly, eyes locking on the pattern of bluish marks circling her wrist.
“Irene,” he said, voice dropping. He reached across, gently taking her wrist to examine the bruises. “These aren’t from bumping into something.”
She pulled back, tugging her sleeve down. “It’s nothing.”
“Those are from someone grabbing you,” he pressed, concern taking over. Did someone hurt you? Your hands are your livelihood-”
“I said it’s fine.” Irene cut him off, sharper than intended.
Matthew studied her face, seeing more than she wanted to show. The worry in his eyes made something twist uncomfortably in her chest. “If you ever need to talk–about anything–I’m here. Not just as a colleague.”
“I appreciate that,” she said, forcing a smile. “But seriously, all good. Just careless.”
2/3
Chapter 273
Her mind flashed to those me holding her down, then to Adam’s is pulling her close when he found her. The reflet of being found. How he’d stood up when he shouldn’t be able to, just for her,
Only Adam knows, And somehow that feels right.
Outside the restaurant, Sophia’s driver held the car door as she and Hatalie prepared to enter Silver Garden for lunch.
“I hear they’ve redone the menu,” Natalie chatted. “The new chef is
Sophia froze, one foot still in the car. Her eyes locked on something through the large windows.
“Mrs. Haven?” Natalie followed her gaze, then drew a quick breath, n’t that…?”
Inside, clearly visible, sat Irene with a handsome man who currently held her wrist. Their heads were close together, his face showing deep concern as he examined her arm-
“Matthew Hayes,” Sophia said tightly. “The neurosurgeon.”
Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and snapped several photos of the scene.
“Irene certainly gets around,” Natalie observed, her tone deliberately casual. “One minute with your son, the next with Hayes.”
Sophia’s lips thinned to a tight line. “The woman has absolutely no shame. Not even trying to hide it.” She turned sharply. “We’re going elsewhere. I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.”
As they slid back into the car, Sophia studied the photos, a cold smile forming. “These might prove useful.
Chapter Comments
LIKE
