CHAPTER FOUR
1512 Words
Chapter 4
Andy's eyes were bloodshot as she walked into the hospital later that day.
She walked towards the reception desk like a woman on a mission, no hesitation in her steps.
There were no tears in her eyes either, only fury, pure, hot bone deep rage pulsing in her chest.
She felt so mad she could take down ten men but the only person she wanted was Dr. Julian.
The nerve of him to give Nathan such advice. Adopt another child?
“Mrs. Carter,” the receptionist smiled at her and greeted her with familiarity as she remembered her from her previous visit.
Andy forced a smile not wanting to appear rude since the lady was being polite. “Hello. Is Dr. Julian around? I really need to talk to him,”
The lady quickly clicked on the mouse in front of her as she stared at the computer. “Yes he's around, however he is currently attending to a patient.”
Andy shrugged, not bothered by it. “That's fine. I can wait for him.”
The lady nodded at her and Andy made her way to his office where she had been before when she first brought Noah for examination and then later on for further tests.
She pushed open the door to his office without knocking since he wasn't around and walked in.
She stopped in her tracks when she saw him sitting behind the desk, bent over a few papers.
Dr. Julian raised his head and stared at Andy in surprise. “Mrs. Carter? What are you…?”
“I thought you were attending to a patient,” Andy accused, cutting him off and he nodded.
“The consultation ended early.” He explained and avoided her gaze. “What can I do for you?”
Andy scoffed and glared around his office then at his desk that was crowded with papers.
No doubt this was where he falsified records and lied to patients who came to him for help.
“Please sit, Mrs. Carter.” Dr. Julian called breaking into her thoughts and she shook her head.
“I didn't come here to sit. You have questions to answer.”
She stepped closer to him and her voice trembled as she spoke again. “Why did you help my husband kill my son?”
His eyes widened at her words but he didn't seem scared. “There's a reasonable explanation for everything.”
She laughed, the sound dark and hollow. “You have some nerves. You're not even remorseful.”
He remained calm which irritated Andy to no end. “I understand you're upset but if you give me a chance to explain…”
“No you don't understand anything!” Andy yelled as her eyes filled with tears. “You knew he wanted my son dead and you went along with it. Why didn't you call off the surgery and explain everything to me afterwards?”
“I promise you Mrs. Carter, I would never do anything so unethical.” Dr. Julian said trying to calm her down but she refused to be silenced.
“But you gave my bone marrow to someone else. Didn't you?” She demanded, her eyes like little flaming coals. “How ethical of you,”
Her every word dripped in sarcasm.
“I promise you that there's an explanation for everything, I just need you to relax and let me explain,”
“I'm sure you thought you could cover up your sins by proposing adoption. My son's body is barely cold and you're already thinking of a way to replace him. How dare you?”
Julian clenched his jaw and shook his head. “If you could just sit down and let me…”
“You had ample time to explain and you didn't, so shut up!”
Julian opened his mouth to say something else but just then the door opened.
Andy spun quickly determined to dismiss whoever it was thinking it was a nurse or some other doctor.
But she froze when her eyes landed on the man standing in the doorway.
He was dressed simply in a pair of jeans and a bottom down shirt.
He smiled the moment their eyes met and her breath caught.
It couldn't be.
“Andy bear,” he said and sbe shivered at the use of the nickname.
There had only ever been one person who called her by that name.
“Liam?” She called somehow afraid that she was imagining him.
“Long time no see,” he winked at her the way he often did back when they were in high school and she blinked.
“William, thank God,” Dr. Julian said from behind her as he sighed in relief and rose to his feet.
Andy frowned and glanced back at him. “What is going on here? You know Liam?”
“That's what I have been trying to explain to you Mrs. Carter,”
Liam stepped forward and took out his phone. “I believe this will ease some of your worries and pain.”
Andy tapped on what looked like a video and her heart stopped.
Staring back at her from the phone screen was her son, Noah.
Her baby and he was alive, laughing, kicking and playing with toy cars on the rug.
She staggered back and slumped into one of the chairs Julian had offered her before which she had rejected.
“I don't understand. What is going on?” Her voice trembled as she watched, unable to take her eyes off the screen.
Julian tapped his fingers on the table as he answered her. “Your son never died, Mrs. Carter. I only said that to deter your husband.”
Andy blinked back tears struggling to process everything. “That's impossible. The ashes…” she trailed off as she remembered the pot of ashes in the nursery. “Whose body has been cremated?”
“No one's,” Julian answered with a smile. “It's just sand.”
Andy let out a whoosh of air. “But you said…”
“I'm so sorry,” he apologised and Andy almost dropped the phone.
Liam quickly went to her and caught the phone in time. “Breathe, Andy bear.”
“I need a minute, I just…” Andy couldn't help herself as she broke down in tears.
Her body shook from the force of her sobs and Liam wrapped his arms around her.
“I'll give you both a minute,” Dr. Julian said and got up to leave.
“But I heard you that day before the surgery. I don't understand.”
Julian's eyes widened. “You were awake?”
“Barely,” Andy hiccuped and wiped her nose. “This is all so confusing.”
Julian let out a sigh and hung his head. “I'll let you and Liam talk. Thanks buddy.”
Then he and Liam shook hands and Julian left the room, giving them some privacy.
Andy looked at Liam in disbelief, different questions floating in her eyes.
“Let's grab something to eat and then you can ask me anything.”
Andy nodded and let Liam lead her out of the room. Her heart felt heavy but she was relieved because her son was alive.
Nothing else really mattered.
****
“How did you get involved in all of this?” Andy asked, finally broaching the question she had been meaning to ask.
They had gotten to the cafeteria and Liam had ordered her some food.
But Andy hadn't been able to touch it so it sat untouched in front of her.
“Julian is my brother-in-law.” Liam explained and Andy frowned.
If Julian had shared patient information with a third party then he had broken a law.
Liam chuckled, reading Andy's thoughts. “I'm also the MD of the hospital so technically he hasn't broken any laws.”
Andy couldn't hold back her gasp, stunned by the information.
“Julian would never have sacrificed your son either way but he needed a plan to deal with Nathan because he realized how desperate he was to get your bone marrow.”
Andy finally understood why Julian had somehow encouraged Nathan before. “But who is Nathan so desperate to save?”
Liam picked up his phone and tapped away. Andy sat there anxious to see what he would show her.
After a while, Liam passed his phone to Andy and stared at the picture in front of her.
It was a photo of a little girl. She looked to be no older than two but was so frail as she slept in the hospital bed.
Machines surrounded her and tubes ran in and out of her body.
Andy felt moved as she noticed the girl's condition. “What's wrong with her?” She asked, close to tears.
“She has a sickle cell disease,” Liam answered in a solemn tone.
Then came the dreaded question. “Who is she to Nathan?
- Writer
