Chapter 18
Nathan wiped the blood from his mouth, watching Simon as he quickly walked away, gently comforting Mia. Nathan suddenly called out, “I remember the radiology department is the closest to here. Simon, is someone in your family sick?”
Simon’s tall figure stiffened for a moment. He sneered, “Mind your own business.”
A thought flashed incredulously through Nathan’s mind. As he struggled to stand, the deputy director of the hospital opened the door, looking surprised. “Nathan, what happened?”
“It’s nothing, Uncle,” Nathan said, wiping the corner of his mouth. His expression was calm, but his hands trembled uncontrollably at his sides.
“Nathan, maybe you should come back another time,” the deputy director said apologetically. “I just heard from security that the director has gone out.”
“No worries,” Nathan replied quietly. “Uncle, could I ask you for another favor?”
“What is it? I’ll help if I can.”
“Please help me find someone,” Nathan’s eyes gleamed with an unusual light, his lips curling into a cold smile, almost as if he was laughing through anger or crying through joy. “A woman, late twenties, recently admitted. I have a name to reference, although it might not be her actual name. Uncle, could you pull the files of anyone who fits the criteria for me to check?”
“She’s called Tia Clark.”
Simon felt a wave of frustration but continued to reassure Mia. Once she’d stopped her hiccuping tears, he gently pinched her cheek. “You can’t run off like that again, okay? What if someone took you?”
“I wanted to buy candy for Mom. The doctor gave her more bitter medicine,” Mia said, her lip quivering again. “I’m sorry, Uncle. Please don’t be mad at me.”
“I’m not mad,” Simon’s heart melted as he spoke. He hugged Mia and stroked her hair, “Uncle just worries when you disappear. It makes me sad.”
“I understand. I won’t run off again.”
Simon wiped Mia’s tears away with a sigh.
He knew Nathan was starting to suspect something. A person like Nathan, once he spotted something unusual, would latch on like a shark with its prey, determined to uncover the truth, especially when it concerned Tia Clark.
Over the past two weeks, Simon had heard plenty about Nathan–rumors exaggerated to a degree that made Simon’s heart race.
Hiding Tia Clark would be difficult.
A doctor emerged from the consultation room, removing his mask. “The patient’s condition is stable, but since the cancer cells have been present for years, we recommend surgery soon. The schedule shows next week as the latest. What do you think?”
Caught between Nathan’s discovery and Tia Clark’s recovery, Simon had no real choice. He decisively chose the latter. “We agree that sooner is better. Please proceed with the arrangements.”
“Alright, you can start the admission process then.”
Mia had already run into the hospital room to cuddle Tia Clark. Neither mentioned the near–miss incident. Mia fished colorful candies from her pocket, offering them to Tia Clark with shining eyes. “Mommy, these will make the medicine less bitter.”
“Thank you, Mia,” Tia Clark kissed her daughter’s cheek and held her close. “Sweetheart, Mommy will have
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surgery soon, so we might not see each other for a little while.”
“It’s okay, Mommy. I’m not scared. Uncle, said once you have the surgery, you’ll always be with me,” Mia said with a smile, snuggling closer. “So don’t be scared either. Mia and Uncle are waiting for you!”
Her words filled Tia Clark with warmth. Stroking her daughter’s soft hair, she smiled. “Alright, I’ll listen to Mia,”
Tia Clark felt deeply indebted to both of them.
Once, she had been consumed by despair, blind to Simon’s warmth. It wasn’t until Mia came into her life that Tia Clark clawed her way back from the abyss, finding hope in the world.
She had discovered a light all her own; both Mia’s thoughtfulness and Simon’s steadfastness were treasures she cherished dearly.
As for Nathan, she felt only calmness.
How could Tia Clark not understand her best friend? She knew Victoria would never condemn her as the Harrison family had, but the all–consuming guilt was hard to shake. If death could absolve her sins, she had already been cleansed.
It was like the moment Simon pulled her from the icy river, his desperate tears melting her frozen heart. Though Tia Clark’s will to live had been weak, Simon had shouted, “Even if you don’t want to live, you have to! Your life isn’t just yours anymore–it’s mine, too! Don’t you dare die!”
Now, half of her soul belonged to Simon.
Even if Nathan confronted her demanding retribution for Victoria, Tia Clark knew she wouldn’t choose death again.
Tia Clark’s surgery was scheduled for the weekend. Simon took Mia to stay with his cousin. The little girl bravely clenched her fist, “Mommy, I’ll wait for you to come back!”
“Alright, Mia,” Tia Clark affectionately kissed her cheek. “After the surgery, I’ll take you to the amusement park.” “Uncle has to come too!”
“No problem.” Tia Clark waved, watching Simon buckle Mia into the car. “Drive safely.”
Despite her composed exterior, she felt nervous. Three years ago, Tia Clark never imagined she would want to live so much now.
She had Mia, she had Simon, and nothing could defeat her.
Chapter 19
Chapter 19
