…Geneva, Switzerland. Olivia's POV. Without a doubt, leaving the U.S. five years ago was the best decision I've ever made.I thought I would never survive the heartbreak or the impending doom awaiting me five years ago. Plagued with a deadly illness, I was also pregnant. Coupled with that was the reality that my love would never be reciprocated.I can't help but appreciate myself for seizing the chance to start anew. Now I realize that no matter how deep the wound is, time will surely heal it.“Good morning, Dr. Olivia…” A nurse came into my office, her appearance bringing me back to the present. She placed the documents she was holding on my desk and said, “This is the latest data from the PTE Experiment. The patient who had the last Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy Operation has woken up and his vital signs are stable. Once again, you have successfully carried out one of the most complicated cardiac surgeries. Congratulations!”I sighed in relief.Funny how I'm used to doing tha
I'm not even surprised.One of his favorite hobbies is keeping tabs on me.Sometimes, I wonder if he's the adult while I'm the kid who needs to be watched over always.I wonder where he got this overprotective habit from.“So are you coming home now?” He went on in a sullen voice. “Mom, I'll be waiting.”But I can't go home yet.My schedule is clear for the day, however, an emergency can occur at any moment. I never leave the hospital premises until the day is over. “Come on, Dave. People's lives are important. If Mommy isn't there to save them, wouldn't that be bad?”From the other end, I could hear his soft sighs. “So you're not gonna come home, Mommy?”“Of course, I'll be home!” I smiled. “And I promise to make you the best dinner ever!”“Oh, alright.” The boy didn't sound enthusiastic though.He went silent.I was about to check if the call had disconnected then his voice sounded again. “Uncle Ethan promised to take me skiing next weekend. Tell him not to forget.”“I will, Baby.
…Olivia's POV When I returned home that night, the lights were still on.I frowned in confusion, glancing at my wristwatch.Dave should be asleep by now. Maybe the Nanny forgot to turn his room's light off as it shone through the window on the second floor.I entered the building and made my way upstairs, the guilt inside me increasing as I remembered my promise.“Mommy doesn't like me, does she?”I came to a halt in the hallway just outside his room, listening to his conversation with the Nanny. “Dave, that's not true. Your Mom works hard to buy you fancy toys and enroll you in the best school.”“But she broke her promise,” Dave grumbled in his little voice.I bet he wasn't crying.He rarely cried-But, what if-“Your Mom would have returned to cook you dinner as she promised, Dave. Maybe an emergency came up at the hospital,” The Nanny explained.Her words weren't a lie.A while ago, I was ready to leave the hospital when a patient was brought to the emergency room.He'd been att
…Los Angeles.Theo's POV I crumpled the report in my hands and tossed it in the trash, a sense of hopelessness overwhelming me.I've exhausted all emotions, from anger to hate to fear, and then guilt.For five years, I've been chasing after the same thing. To know her whereabouts.However, every search leads to a dead end. It's as if she never existed. Is she still alive or dead?The same question troubled me always, giving me countless sleepless nights.When I found that CT Scan report in Olivia's apartment five years ago, a part of my heart became troubled.I couldn't help but feel guilty. I couldn't help but feel responsible for whatever happened to her.And I searched for her everywhere, but… even her parents didn't know her whereabouts.It's as if everyone has conspired to keep her whereabouts a secret.Is that even possible?I've employed the best authorities to search for her. I'd spent more than needed, but yet, the search always turned out futile- which led to only one c
Dr. Lawton.Why is this my first time hearing his name?And why is the assistant just telling me now?I threw him a deadly look, and he scratched his head and coughed in embarrassment.“Actually, I didn't mean to hide this from you, Sir. I've been trying my best to reach out to Dr. Lawton for the past few months, but despite pulling all strings, I couldn't get access to him. His schedule is packed and the hospital he works at has signed a contract, so-”It would be impossible for outside sources to invite him.Even the government couldn't do anything unless with that hospital’s approval.“Where is the hospital located?” I asked. “It's in Switzerland, Mr. Wellington. But you know-”Transporting my grandfather there is impossible.The Doctors have advised against it as it can worsen his condition.I heaved out a helpless sigh, and after a while, I looked up. “Secure the next flight ticket to Switzerland. I'll go there myself.”I'll do whatever it takes to bring that Doctor here even if
…Jessica's POVWhen he told me to go home, I thought he was joking until I looked at the expression on his face.Theo was angry and annoyed. I would think his anger was directed towards me when I hadn't said anything wrong, but he'd been like this recently.In fact, his mood was worsening day by day. He's no longer the same man who would avoid anything that could hurt me.Day by day, I watch him become a completely different person.No way!I can't let this continue.I've worked hard to keep his mother and sister by my side. I've done everything to be who I am today. To make myself more popular and influential, I've not only become a model with several high-end endorsements but also ventured into movies and TV shows.Many male actors in the entertainment industry regard me as a goddess. But everyone knows I'm Theo's girlfriend. Many of my endorsements and resources come from the Wellington family, which shows how strong our relationship is.I have no interest in actors; my ambitio
…Geneva, Switzerland. Olivia's POV.When I spoke to Ethan about it, I'd already anticipated his reaction.Ethan shook his head rapidly. I'd never seen him disagree with something so fast. “Olivia, that's dangerous. I thought you wanted to spend the rest of your life here.”Going back to the U.S. must be dangerous. The chances of meeting Theo are high as I'm going back specifically for Grandpa's sake. However, if I tread carefully and my plan works out, even Grandpa Victor won't know that I came.The old man has done a lot for me. The least I can do is not watch him die while I have the ability to save him.“Ethan, I have to go,” I told him. “This is my expertise, isn't it?”“But there are other doctors in this field.” He stared at me helplessly. “You don't have to risk exposing yourself, Olivia. You've been living a peaceful life here, and what if he finds out?”Theo will never find out. At least not about my child. “However, those doctors aren't willing to take up Grandpa’s case
The Next Day. Our flight was going to depart early so I could only kiss Dave goodbye while he was still asleep. But I squeezed time to prepare his favorite breakfast and put it inside the food warmer. Sitting inside the plane as it flew into the sky, I gazed at the city below. The houses became like ants while the trees stood like grasses.Finally… After five years, I'm leaving this city for the first time.Why do I feel anxious? I've already prepared myself mentally for this journey.Nothing can go wrong. I felt Ethan's palm on mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. It's as if he can sense my anxiety. “If you don't control your emotions now, how's it gonna be when we arrive in L.A. Will you be able to perform the operation?”His words make sense.I need to stay calm. The hospital is to ensure that my identity is kept a secret. Even the staff aren't allowed to say a thing.My mind wandered to Dave. I'm sure he'll be alright. After the fourteen-hour flight, we're supposed to head to
I was in so much haste that I forgot to wear my mask.When I arrived at the hospital, the first set of nurses I bumped into recognized me instantly. “Oh my goodness, am I seeing things?”“Is that Dr. Olivia?” “Dr. Olivia, when did you come back?”“Maybe it's someone that looks like her. Dr. Olivia left many years ago, it shouldn't be her.”“But I heard that a mysterious Doctor performed the successful CABG surgery. Do you think it is her?”“Wasn't it Dr. Natasha from the Cardiology Department who did the surgery?”My mind was disoriented.My thoughts weren't on their words.I made my way to Grandpa Victor's ward, hurrying to bypass the curious eyes.The old man has now been transferred to the VIP Ward on the highest floor of the hospital.I needed a permit to go see him. Thank goodness I didn't forget to take my identity card with me.I was cautious before entering the ward, making sure no one else was inside apart from Grandpa Victor.The nurse looking after the old man was the onl
Whatever the Nanny's explanation was, I couldn't pick it properly.I understood what she said, but it's difficult to believe it.Literally, Dave helped those strangers and they kidnapped him in return.I couldn't wait for the morning to come. From the looks of it, those strangers’ destination is here.They're coming to L.A. that's what the Nanny told me.“Ethan! Ethan!” I left my suite and stood in front of the opposite suite, pounding the door incessantly.Ethan didn't answer.He wasn't sleeping, was he? Tired of knocking, I pushed the door open and barged inside to find him fast asleep. The heck! “Ethan!” I shouted his name, my voice trembling with fear as I fought hard not to cry.“Wake up, Ethan! It's an emergency!” I climbed onto the bed and shook him hard. “What's wrong, Olivia?” Ethan groaned, turning his back to me. “It's late. Go to sleep.”“Damnit! Wake up!” I didn't mean to, but punching him was the best way. “You have to wake up. It's an emergency!”“Urgh! What now?” H
…Los Angeles Olivia's POVDue to Grandpa Victor's situation earlier, we didn't get to catch the next flight to Geneva.I returned to the hotel, feeling exhausted and worn out emotionally,Grateful also that a particular person didn't recognize me!Jessica!She is currently the favored daughter-in-law of the Wellington family.Did she and Theo get married five years ago?How many kids do they have?If Jessica and Theo could appear in that commercial together, it could mean that they're already a married couple.A supermodel’s husband could be possessive sometimes to the point of preventing her from posing with other men. That's typical Theo whose-Damn! What am I thinking?I slapped my forehead, cursing inside my mind.No! I definitely don't care. I don't give a damn if Theo and Jessica are married already. It's none of my business whether they have kids or not! Then why am I still awake at this time of the night, thinking about them?It's 11:00 PM already yet I can't catch a wink
Theo's POV I waited for a minute to pass by, wondering if the boy would return immediately.He might have gone outside to check on something. But what, though?At this time of the night even.My mind told me to go and check, my curiosity getting the best of me.Who knows, he might be setting another trap which I might fall into. So I got up, sensing no sign of him returning. I stepped towards the door, making sure that I didn't make any sound. As I pulled the door open carefully, I peeked through it first. There wasn't any sign of him in the long empty hallway, but one of the elevator’s lights was on. Obviously, someone has just entered it. What now?Is he leaving this huge apartment building all by himself?I followed and checked the number of floors he was going to. Seeing it baffled me. Actually, he wasn't leaving the building, but going up. The elevator was going to the fifteenth floor. I wonder who he's meeting there. With each moment, my curiosity got stronger and I foll
What promise?I can't recall promising to take him to L.A.Dave stomped forward and stood in front of us, dropping both hands on his waist “Ms. Maya, are you plotting behind my back?”“Oh, Dave… it's not like that.” The Nanny sounded hopeless. “We're only discussing about the weather.”“Really?” The boy narrowed his eyes. No doubt, he knew the Nanny was lying. I can't stand it anymore.I have to make it clear to him. “I won't take you to L.A.”His expression darkened. Literally, he went so mad that the cold look he threw my way froze me for a second. “How else will you repay my kindness, Theo Wellington?”“I can send you gifts from L.A. that's all.”But Dave wouldn't hear of it.I wonder if he did it intentionally or not, but my precious dinner was soon gone. The food I had barely touched.He knocked over the tray while grabbing his Nanny's hand and the glass of water spilled inside my food. “Fine. If you won't take me to L.A, I'll go by myself,” he declared. Despite my anger at s
…Geneva, Switzerland Theo's POV Is this a curse or what?I never expected to be stranded in a city as huge as this.The fact that nobody recognized me or my assistant made matters worse.Imagine us going to the airport and getting denied our luggage. Without our passports, nobody would believe I'm the mighty Theo Wellington.How did the passports even get lost in the first place?All thanks to Jake who had foolishly lost his wallet.Without both our phones… without any money in us, we're forced to keep relying on this little kid who seemed to hate me for no reason.Otherwise, why would he scoop a little food on my plate as my dinner?Hadn't he been the same person urging me to eat well last night?“This is too small,” I complained. “Is this all I'll get?”I glanced at Jake's plate which was filled to the brim with food.It's not fair, is it?“You were supposed to call me Boss, but you refused to,” said the little boy. “That's what you get for disobeying your savior.”Seriously, he
I don't know what instantly brought tears to my eyes. It's probably because of hearing his voice again for the first time after five years.Or maybe because he woke up when I was just about to leave. Turning around, I found the old man struggling to speak through the oxygen mask.I quickly helped him remove it, promptly checking his vitals through the monitor machine for any changes in his system. But his body was working fine which is a relief.I sat in the chair across from him, watching his eyes wet with tears.How did he recognize it was me?I'm wearing a mask after all.“Grandpa!” Emotion flooded my mind and my speech was incoherent. I struggled between laughter and tears as I held onto his hand. “You're awake!”“Am I dreaming, Olivia?” Grandpa Victor said, his voice hoarse and weak. “Did you come personally to check on me?”He didn't know yet that I was the surgeon who performed the operation.I've already planned with the hospital to keep it hidden even after the patient woke
…Los Angeles Olivia's POV Is it normal that I cannot even breathe properly anymore after hearing that Theo was looking for me?No. He had searched for me five years ago. Probably not anymore.But the feeling still lingered as if monsters were chasing me, lurking in the hospital walls.My mind was restless, and my heart beat with unease, wondering why he had looked for me.If Theo had searched for me five years ago, chances are things won't go well if we meet again. Right now, the last person I ever want to see is him.I've tried my best to avoid Grandpa Victor's relatives, but what if we accidentally bump into each other?What if Theo had sent out search parties to look for me, and someone accidentally saw me in Los Angeles?They would report to him instantly and my cover would be blown.“Olivia, calm down. You don't need to be in a rush. Don't you care about the old man’s health and that's why you're here? Besides, you have to follow the hospital’s protocol.”As much as Ethan trie
Cleaning the car is impossible!I've never done such a menial task before; talk more of doing it in public. Damnit!How did I end up like this? Luckily, Jake is here to do the humiliating job in my stead.I would have rejected it. However, the taxi driver's loud voice was already dragging the attention of the passersby.While I stood in a corner watching, Jake cleaned the taxi driver's car to the point that there wasn't a single daint on it. And before the taxi driver left, he looked at me and advised, “If you keep doing this, Mister, your son will forever live in the disappointment of you. With your good looks, you can easily get a job at any nightclub in this city. Those frivolous women can spend anything on you-”“Scram!” I was about to lose it, having had enough of the taxi driver's insults. However, the guy did himself good by leaving immediately.“I say we should deal with him, Mr. Wellington.” Jake wiped off his sweat, looking exhausted. “Even you never asked me to clean yo