Chapter 21
Ryan left scars that still ached, and Luther’s mess only made things worse. After everything, I neither wanted nor felt worthy of love anymore. But I truly appreciated Tania’s kindness.
I said, “Thank you so much, Tania. You really care about me and thought things through for my sake. I’m lucky to have you as a friend.
“You know how things are for me right now. I’m just not ready for anything romantic. I don’t want to hold Xavier back. Could you talk to him?” Tania sighed. “Xavier is a good man, Sapphire. It’d be such a pity if you two didn’t end up together.”
I could hear the regret in her voice, but I needed time to heal before I could even think about love again. I responded in resignation, “Maybe we’re just not meant to be.”
Hearing that, Tania realized I wasn’t open to the idea of getting to know Xavier. “I get it. You can’t force love. Take care of yourself, and stop dwelling on the past. Things will get better.”
I lowered my gaze with a faint smile. “Hopefully.”
We chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up.
Many were waiting to see the doctor in the gynecology department. I leaned by the hallway window, spacing out at the view outside.
My phone buzzed unexpectedly. Luther’s name flashed on the screen, and I raised it to my ear. “What is it, Mr. Stone?”
He asked, “Did you go to the hospital?”
“Yes.”
“How did it go?”
“I’m still in line. A ton of people are ahead of me, so it’s going to take forever.”
The call went silent for a few seconds. “Which hospital are you at?”
I told Luther the name of the hospital. He let out a low grunt before ending the call.
Staring at the dark screen, I muttered to myself, “What the hell is wrong with him?” After a short while, a nurse called out, “Sapphire Miller? Sapphire Miller?”
I looked at her and raised my hand. “That’s me.”
The nurse waved me over. “Come with me.”
I walked over, and she immediately started leading me away. I quickly stopped her. “Hold on. Where are we going? I’m still waiting in line for my consultation.”
The nurse replied, “Our department head will see you herself. Come with me.”
“1
I blinked in surprise. “Department head? Could it be Dr. Reid? I thought she wasn’t taking any appointments.”
The nurse replied, “Dr. Reid fit you in at the last minute. Come with me.”
I nodded and went with the nurse. After turning through several corridors, we ended up outside a consultation room. The nurse knocked on the door and told me to go in.
I saw a woman in her 50s standing inside. When she turned around, the word “elegance” came to my mind. There were signs of aging on her face, but it was easy to imagine how beautiful and poised she must have been when she was younger.
I greeted her first. “Hello, Dr. Reid.”
The doctor sized me up and asked with a smile, “How old are you?”
I was taken aback. Why was the doctor asking how old I was instead of my situation?
I subconsciously replied, “28.”
But the next question threw me even more. “Where are you from?”
I was at a loss for words. What exactly was happening?
Noticing my confusion, she took the initiative to explain, “Luther called and told me one of his friends was ill. He asked me to check on you. It’s the first time in all these years he has ever personally asked me to treat someone, so I got a little curious.”
It turned out to be Luther’s fault. “And you are…?”
She introduced herself. “I’m Luther’s aunt, Olivia Reid.”
That was so embarrassing I wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. I forced a smile, trying my best to make it look natural. “Hi.”
I was mentally collapsing from how ridiculous things had turned out. What the hell was wrong with Luther? Why did he ask his aunt to check on me?
Chapter 21
She started asking about my condition, but I was too embarrassed to say it out loud.
As a doctor, she stayed completely professional. She asked questions without blinking and told me to lie down for the exam.
