…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
…Geneva, Switzerland.Theo's POV This isn't my first time stepping into a foreign city. Besides, I've been here twice for a business trip. If I knew the famous mysterious Dr. Lawton lived here, wouldn't I have seized the opportunity during one of those business trips?I have nobody to blame but my assistant who thought it's better to reveal the news when it's almost too late.I just got a call from one of the Nurses at the hospital in L.A. that Grandpa's condition has worsened.Now there's no time to lose. It's either I find Dr. Lawton this evening or the dreaded event might occur.“Mr. Wellington, the weather is bad. According to the weather report, there's an upcoming blizzard. Maybe we should lodge in one of the hotels.”As I sat in the backseat of the car that picked us up from the airport, I listened to the assistant’s explanation.Glancing outside the window, I frowned. The atmosphere was clear. There wasn't any sign of bad weather.“The weather report, Sir-” The assistant e
The hallway was indeed empty.It's normal that the visiting hours should be over by this time.However, does that concern us?We're here for a special appointment and not to visit any patients.Why am I considering a little boy's words?“Hey, Dave… Remember no talking to strangers,” The Nanny said in a hushed tone. “Let's go home.”But the little boy didn't move.He stared at me and then he glanced at the assistant before returning his gaze to me. “Mister, didn't you hear? Everyone is celebrating the new year. You won't find anybody inside the hospital now.”The new year?Well, that's not true.“The new year was last month,” I stared at him.“My bad.” The boy shrugged. “I mean the hospital’s anniversary is being celebrated today.”Why didn't the hospital director tell me that? Is it true?“That's enough, Dave…” The Nanny looked flustered and she nudged him to move. “Mister, we're so sorry. Dave is in a bad mood, please don't mind him.”The boy pursed his lips, threw me what seemed l
Hearing the boy's request, I exchanged glances with my assistant.“You don't have to go if you don't want to,” He went on. “But you don't look like someone who would like to sleep on these streets.”“Dave, stop it!” The Nanny exclaimed, rushing forward to grab the boy's hand. “Mister, I'm so sorry. Please ignore him!”She apologized profusely. Yet, my attention wasn't on the Nanny.It was on the boy whose presence put me at ease somehow.Is it because I find his features familiar? “Where is your home?” I rose to my feet, wiping the snowflakes off my pants.The boy pointed to a tall apartment building miles away. “It's in that building. It's not very far, Mister.”“Mm. Let's go.”A little boy couldn't possibly do me any harm. The Nanny looked hesitant and hopeless as well. She kept on signaling the boy with her eyes who wasn't looking at her.“Mr. Wellington…” The assistant looked as if he also wanted to protest,But a single glance from me had him shutting his mouth.I followed the
“Oh, goodness!” The Nanny looked frustrated. “Things don't work like that. Besides, how do you know he's from Los Angeles?”The boy grabbed an apple from the basket on the counter and munched on it. He appeared unconcerned as he said, “I heard the other guy mention it. Lucky coincidence, right?”“No!” The Nanny disagreed. “You can't take advantage of strangers. I thought you were helping them from the bottom of your heart.”“Tsk. It's called a fair exchange.” What seemed like a cunning smile appeared on the boy's lips. “We give them shelter, they take me to L.A.”I think I've heard enough.Fortunately, my instincts never failed me. The boy surely was up to something.With this kind of approach, though, should I call him smart or tricky?I turned, heading back to the living room, dazed for a moment by what I'd just witnessed.Such a little boy could be so bold and smart… who are his parents?Should I be worried that I've underestimated this little guy?“Hehe, Mr. Wellington, you're ba
…Los Angeles Olivia's POV No one expected Grandpa Victor's condition to suddenly worsen.Thank goodness we arrived on time. The diagnostic tests were already prepared by the hospital in advance, and the results of coronary angiography, echocardiography, and stress test had been ready before we arrived.While preparing the patient for surgery, I had time to fully analyze his condition through the diagnostic test results.This is undeniably one of the most complicated surgeries I've ever performed.Apart from involving the delicate organ, the heart, CABG required the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, which took over the function of the heart and lungs during the procedure.Without careful monitoring and adjusting of the device, any slight mistake could end the patient's life by stopping the heart completely.The delicate blood vessels, including the pulmonary arteries were prone to damage especially during harvesting of the grafts.Considering the old man's age and other health issues,
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