Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Lunch was light but plentiful. Tia Clark ate until her stomach was round and full, knowing she had to fast for ten hours before her surgery the next day. Lying in bed to digest, she wasn’t surprised when Simon settled next to her.
“What are you doing?” she asked, staring at the ceiling. “You’re getting more comfortable lying on my bed, aren’t you?”
“What’s wrong with lying here?” Simon replied, his bravado faltering as his face turned crimson. Ever since he realized Tia Clark had feelings for him too, he had been a bit more daring. But now, being called out, he sat up, embarrassed.
“Simon,” Tia Clark’s voice was gentle, “once the surgery is over, I’ll tell you a secret.”
“Alright.”
On the day of Tia Clark’s surgery, Simon’s cousin Sophie took time off work to bring Mia to the hospital. Despite her youth, Sophie got along well with Mia, and within a week, Mia was sweetly calling her “Aunt Sophie.”
Tia Clark’s eyes crinkled with warmth as she took Mia from Sophie. “Thank you, Sophie. I really wouldn’t know what to do with Mia without you.”
Meanwhile, Sophie was grappling with an inner turmoil. Tia Clark’s features, though thinned by illness, were a perfect match with the woman in the cherished photo on Nathan’s desk.
Caught in her thoughts, Sophie stared at Tia Clark, who frowned slightly in confusion. “Is something wrong, Sophie?”
“No, nothing…” Sophie shook her head hastily. It wasn’t the time to unravel those mysteries. With Tia Clark about to undergo surgery, words were futile.
Her mind in disarray, Sophie watched the doctors wheel Tia Clark away for pre–surgery checks. She lowered her gaze to text Lucas.
“Lucas, you mentioned that Young Mr. Harrison’s girlfriend passed away, right?”
“Why are you still stuck on that?” Lucas quickly replied. “But yeah, I found out more! Mr. Harrison’s love apparently took her own life. Since then, he’s been in therapy a lot, and his mental state isn’t great. I’ve heard he frequently visits the clinic for medication…”
Sophie’s stomach churned with heaviness and a sense of sadness. Watching Tia Clark’s retreating figure, she picked up Mia and sighed.
Softly, she asked, “Mia, do you know where your father is?”
“Father?” Mia tilted her head, pondering. “Isn’t my dad just Uncle Simon?”
Being a relative on the Lawrence side, Sophie was unclear about the dynamics between Simon, Tia Clark, and Mia. Her eyes watered at the thought. “Mia, you’re such a brave girl. How about we go downstairs and get some candy?”
“Why am I brave?” Mia pouted. “We should buy candy for Mom. She said I can’t have it because of my cavities.” Such a thoughtful child, yet without her father around. Observing Mr. Harrison’s demeanor, there must have been a significant misunderstanding three years ago. Sophie, swept up in her own imagination, felt increasingly saddened. Informing Simon she was taking Mia downstairs, she exited the hospital.
“Lucas, do you have Mr. Harrison’s phone number?”
Sophie didn’t know the details of the past conflicts between Nathan and Tia Clark, but she believed that only communication could mend the rift.
15:16 )
Chapter 21
It was evident from all angles that Nathan loved Tia Clark. Sophie didn’t want their love story to end unresolved, especially since Nathan was an exceptional boss.
She wanted to help them reconcile, regardless of the outcome, to avoid any lingering regrets.
Nathan had learned from the assistant director that Tia Clark’s surgery was scheduled for today. Standing at the far end of the hospital corridor, he watched from a distance as Simon held Tia Clark’s hand, speaking to her softly.
