15:16
Chapter 23
Chapter 23
“Simon!” Sophie’s voice echoed through the stairwell, filled with panic and tears. She clutched Mia, who was clearly unconscious, as she rushed over. “Simon, Mia suddenly fainted!”
Simon tried to stay calm, though his mind was blank. He looked at Sophie, who had collapsed in front of him with exhaustion, and the flushed, unconscious Mia. He kept repeating to himself, I need to stay calm.
Nathan hadn’t strayed far. Hearing Sophie’s cries, he quickly crouched down to inspect Mia’s bright red face. “Sophie? Don’t cry! We’re at the hospital. Come on, let’s get her to the emergency room!”
“Simon,” Simon said as he lifted Mia’s shirt to reveal a large rash on her stomach, “did you give her something to eat?”
Simon’s sister had a history of allergies, but Mia had never shown any allergic reactions before, so Simon and Tia Clark hadn’t been overly concerned.
Recognizing the importance of identifying the allergen, Sophie wiped her tears away and quickly recalled, “I took her downstairs, and she didn’t want any candy, so I bought her a sandwich… it had peanut butter in it!”
Peanuts are a common allergen. Nathan swiftly scooped Mia into his arms. As Simon reached to take her, Nathan shot him a steely look. “Tia Clark needs someone here. I won’t harm her child. Let me take her!”
Simon knew Nathan was right. Mia needed immediate care, and Tia Clark had just signed a critical condition notice. Grinding his teeth in frustration, Simon watched Sophie and Nathan race away with Mia in their arms. He punched the wall in anger.
Blood trickled from his knuckles as he let out a helpless roar and hung his head, sobbing.
Nathan hadn’t been feeling well since they arrived at the hospital. He felt the warmth draining from his body, but he held the precious child, Tia Clark’s child, close. As he stumbled on the stairs, his instinct was to shield Mia with his arms and back from the sharp edges of the steps. Sophie, terrified, hurried down to help him. Nathan forced himself to his feet and quickly checked Mia’s condition.
“Mr. Harrison, let me carry Mia!”
“I’m fine,” he said, his ankle throbbing with pain. He gritted his teeth and rushed towards the emergency room.
The doctors quickly identified Mia’s condition as an allergic reaction and administered adrenaline and antihistamines. The alarming rash finally began to fade.
Sophie, overwhelmed with guilt, couldn’t stop crying. She adored Mia and was devastated that something had gone wrong under her watch.
Nathan finally let out a sigh of relief, though his ankle still throbbed painfully. Any slight movement made cold sweat bead on his forehead. He handed Mia back to Sophie and closed his eyes.
The feverish heat crept into his consciousness, mingling with Sophie’s quiet sobs. “Don’t cry, Sophie,” Nathan murmured. “It’s not your fault.”
Sophie sniffled as she wiped Mia’s forehead, still feeling remorseful. “If I hadn’t bought her that sandwich…”
“None of us knew Mia was allergic to peanuts. It’s a blessing we found out now, here at the hospital. We’ll avoid those foods in the future.”
He was right, and Sophie nodded. Only then did she notice Nathan’s flushed cheeks and cracked lips. He looked utterly exhausted. “Mr. Harrison, are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Nathan frowned, struggling to think clearly through the pain. “I’m just thirsty. Could you get me some water, please…”
He was about to say Tia Clark’s name, Sophie thought. But Mr. Harrison seemed to know she was alive. Did he know Mia was his daughter?
15:16
Chapter 23 anys
There might not be a better time to ask.
Her heart pounded as she tightened her hold on Mia and handed Nathan a glass of water from the bedside table. After drinking, Nathan appeared slightly more alert, sitting up straighter.
After a long hesitation, Sophie quietly asked, “Mr. Harrison, you and Tia Clark…”
Nathan looked confused for a moment before replying, “She was the love of my life.”
Sophie felt a pang of sadness. In her eyes, Nathan was a wonderful person. She couldn’t understand why Tia Clark would keep her death a secret from him for three years.
Lucas had told her via text that Nathan had been seeing a therapist frequently because of this. He must have cared deeply for Tia Clark.
“Did you and Tia Clark have a misunderstanding?” Sophie ventured cautiously. “Mr. Harrison, if it’s just a misunderstanding, talking might help resolve things. You love her, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Nathan replied.
Perhaps it was the fever, or maybe the pain coursing through his body that made Nathan want to open up. Sophie’s bright eyes, filled with an unspoken admiration, reminded him of Tia Clark from years ago.
“I love her deeply,” Nathan murmured, “whether it was eight years ago, three years ago, or now.”
