3. NOWHERE TO BE FOUND

{George}

"What if I offer to help?" I asked and watched her honey brown eyes widen.

"Errmm..." she stammered, caught off guard.

Her expression suggested she was pondering over the choice to accept or refuse.

“I can't say no when I'm literally broke right now, can I?" She asked, before she nodded reluctantly in affirmation to me.

“Let's head to the hospital" I convinced her, twisting the door knob to let us out of the office.

Before I came over to Success Chambers to discuss business with Barrister Carlo, I received a devastating news from one of my men. Perhaps, I wasn't so surprised as I had heard of Sophie's incessant unfaithfulness with other men, but I had Paul tail her.

Successfully, he was able to capture her and her new lover in bed in one of the popular hotels in Atlanta. I quaked in anger when the picture got to me and I tore them, greatly infuriated that the mother of my beautiful daughter had feelings for another. She had reacted so angrily when she found out about my bad job. Despite how I hid it, Sophie was wise to find out.

She called it quits, claiming that she would never marry a man who was involved in illegal activities. I couldn't let her go. How? Two years ago she had bore my beautiful daughter and she is my greatest gift. I tried convincing Sophie but her mind was made up, she stopped putting on the special engagement ring I proposed to her with and didn't think twice in letting Diamond stay with me.

So, as little as Diamond was she was entrusted in the care of a nanny, while Sophie went about frolicking with men. When I saw how broken Scarlett was for her sick child, and her eagerness to make sure he is fine. I was smitten, wishing Sophie would be that kind of mother. I longed for Sophie to show that kind of dedication rather than doing a bad job like me, the only difference were the fields. She was a bad mother, and I was doing illegal jobs secretly.

RnB was never my choice for music but anytime Scarlett's songs came on, I found myself putting it on repeat. I have always been her fan and I enjoyed her rhythm and lyrics. Today, I realized she was not only a good singer but a good mother.

Why won't I help? Who said a cold hearted criminal like me doesn't have a heart? Family remains sacred to me.

Walking through the corridors, we were observed by the few clients sitting outside. Her black Tesla model S was neatly parked beside my car when we got out.

“We can make use of my car if you're not fine to ride in yours" I offered.

“Thanks, but I will use mine if you don't mind, ride behind me please" she responded.

"No problem then, I will ride with you rather" I said with a smile, opening the door for her to get in. I made sure she succumbed to letting me ride and we sped off to the hospital. After all was done, I would go back to get my car.

I noticed her hands were trembling as I drove, but she did her best to hide it.

Gracemark Hospital was not far away from the Chambers, and we arrived in some minutes. The ward was crowded when we got in and I had to hold Scarlett's hands to calm her down, her hands were cold and her trepidation intensified. She was obviously fidgeting, and I was scared myself.

A lot of medical personnels filling the room should mean only two things. I sincerely hoped her child was not dead.

We stood speechlessly at the entrance door and when the doctors and nurses created a space between, it was much to our relief. My eyes fell on Scarlett's sickly child, he was sitting painfully, quite chubby and weak.

“Liam!" Scarlett squealed, running over to him.

“Nurse Rosalie noticed he became conscious a few minutes ago" the doctor informed Scarlett and paused.

“Liam is a strong child fighting for his life, but the grace for him to stay over in the hospital elapses today, without payment I'm afraid you both will have to leave" the doctor added, wearing his stethoscope back on his neck.

I saw her blink her tears down, she moved over to the bed to sit with Liam and threw me a knowing glare.

“I will make the payment doctor" I spoke immediately, and the two nurses on blue scrubs left.

The doctor stared at Scarlett, and then directed his gaze to my face.

“Alright then, come with me"

I trailed behind the doctor and when he got to his office, he creaked his entrance door open beckoning on me to come in. While I sat, darting my eyes to the medical images and water dispenser in his office, he searched about different files till he came across one I believed to be that of Liam.

“I'm Dr. Peterson" he introduced.

“George Briggs, friend to Scarlett" I responded with a short smile.

“How much is needed to commence his treatment, doctor?" I went straight to the point. The earlier things are settled, the faster the treatment could begin.

Dr. Peterson reviewed Liam’s file, his expression growing serious. “The initial treatment will require about ten thousand dollars,” he said, glancing up at me.

I nodded, with a calm expression on my face. “I will arrange the payment immediately. How do we proceed?”

Dr. Peterson continued, “I will escort you to the hospital's finance office and once the payment has been made, we will ensure Liam's treatment begins right away."

“Alright then" I said, standing on my feets to do as he had said.

When Doctor Peterson and I walked to the finance office, I kept thinking about the stark difference between Scarlett and Sophie. Scarlett's dedication to family amidst all odds and Sophie abandoning her own child. It made me wonder if Sophie was a good decision in the first place.

The Finance office was busy when we got there, but with the Doctor's notification they began attending to us. However, due to some technical glitches it took a little time.

By evening, the payment was processed and I headed back to Liam's ward, but when I got in I was shocked to discover that Scarlett wasn't present. I searched the premises and different wards but she was nowhere to be found.

My heart thudded in my chest.

"Where the fuck was she?"