The discovery

The whole family shared worried glances. They never expected the final clause, 6 years, 25? Noah caught Jeffery smirking in his peripheral view. It didn’t seem to bother him quite much, even though he was the second choice. Jeffery had schemed a number of ways to frustrate Noah and make this clause favor him.

“I assume we’re done here,” Jeffery sent a knowing look to Noah. Noah shrugged, “Do whatever you want,” he said with a subtle indifference. Jeffery scoffed, “Not an ounce of emotion, typical.” He turned on his heel and headed upstairs.

Tanya and Harriet were still dumbfounded. After George had made Noah marry someone beneath him, he still didn’t leave it at that and had to torture him even further. Noah Milton never planned to have children after his ex-girlfriend’s unexpected betrayal.

Maybe that was the reason he made Sophia get rid of her unborn child. Or the rage and overwhelming jealousy that clouded his judgement seeing Brad with her in that room on Tanya’s birthday.

“…Noah, earth to Noah,” Tanya called out, hauling Noah back to the present.

He jerked, “Yes, what?”

“Your phone, it just chimed.” Noah stared down at his phone. Within the two hours of reading, he had missed several call and text notifications, including alerts and reminders. The one that stood out to him was the notification from the Walton hospital reminding him about his quarterly check-up.

He ignored it then headed outside, slipping into his Audi. His friends always had a hangout week. Today was set for the Marina Brad’s parents owned. Noah was ready to take a pass on his one but it was a perfect chance to talk to Savannah in person.

In that moment, another reminder notification had his phone chiming. The notification popped up on his car dashboard. Walton hospital was very persistent. Almost immediately he got a call from Randall Walton. It had to be important for Randall to call him.

The call was brief but alarming, almost sending Noah’s heart out his chest. Randall said his father had been sending Noah emails all day. He had discovered something, and with the way Randall spoke, his father hadn’t told him much. Randall didn’t seem fazed when he spoke, on the contrary, he had his usual non-chalant tone.

Noah was glad for Patient-Doctor confidentiality, but Dr. Walton could have just given Randall a hint so he has an idea of what to expect. Noah took the next exit, driving in the opposite direction heading straight for the Walton hospital.

For the last three years, Noah and Tanya had been getting quarterly check-ups to make sure they didn’t suffer the same fate as George Milton. The doctor wasn’t able to say whether or not his condition was hereditary, because George’s father didn’t have a heart condition, he died of cancer.

The test was to make sure his children didn’t have any underlying health conditions. Now, Noah was being hauled to the hospital for an emergency. Noah parked his car then headed to the topmost floor, the office of the hospital Director, Edward Walton.

“Have a seat,” Edward invited him with a smile spread across his face.

“Mr. Walton, what is this emergency that made Randall, of all people, call me?” Noah tried to sound unfazed but it just wasn’t working. He was scared that they had found something bad. Being diagnosed of a terminal disease at this point was less of a blow than never seeing Sophia again.

“I’ll have to confirm but before then, don’t think too much.” He said in the most unsure and unsettled way possible.

“How could I not think too much about it when you’ve been blowing up my phone all day. Mr. Walton, I’m pretty sure my blood pressure is on the high side now, go ahead and check.” He gestured towards the stethoscope that lay on the table.

“There won’t be any need for that, Noah.” Edward’s expression had completely changed, he had his grimace look across his face. “Ummm.” He smacked his lips, a wry smile taking over.

“How do I put this?”

“Put it any way Edward.” Noah’s tone had changed, fear had completely engulfed him. He needed to know his fate quickly.

“What?” was all he could say after finally processing what the doctor had told him. Noah punched into his car’s dashboard incessantly while driving to the Marina. How could he have a good day after this reveal? Noah stroked a frustrated hand through his jet black hair. It seemed like the universe was playing with him. It had to be a dream.

Noah was at a point where he preferred a terminal illness. Impotence? Dr. Edward diagnosed him with impotence. Not necessarily erectile dysfunction, but impotence. Noah wouldn’t be able to have kids of his own.

He had to keep this a secret from everyone, especially his siblings. But how long can he keep his impotence a secret? If he doesn’t have an heir soon, his shares will be gone. Noah tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor. He couldn’t let anyone know what was wrong with him, it could threaten his position and entire career.

“Hey, he’s finally here,” Gerald said all giddy as Noah arrived at the Marina in his all white attire. Everyone turned in his direction almost simultaneously. Noah stood there looking petrified. His anxiety had built up in the last forty-five minutes.

‘Do they know what’s going on?’ ‘Why are they looking at me like that?’

Randall’s face had worry lines scattered all over, “Yo, what did Edward say?” His question had Noah finally move from the spot where he stood, and actually climb onto the boat. Randall’s question inferred that he didn’t know anything yet, he was clueless.

“You mean Dad, right?” Noah asked.

“Whatever, you know I can call my old man Edward to his face right?” Randall asked, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand, the ice hitting the inside of the glass creating an unpleasant sound for Noah. It sounded like a clock, or a time bomb, because that was what Noah was sitting on, a ticking time bomb.

“Nothing, he said nothing. He mixed up my result with someone else’s,” Noah lied.

Randall shrugged, “That’s not like Edward, but whatever.” He finally took his attention off Noah and redirected it to the rest of the party.

Edward’s words echoed in his head, “There’s a 95% chance that you’ll never have kids of your own.”

“What about the remaining 5%?” Noah asked in hope of a soothing response.

“Well, that’s what we were banking on. I already signed you up for fertility treatment starting next week.”

“…Milton!” Savannah yelled, “What on earth have you looked so petrified?” she smiled, but could see the look of worry on his face.

“Any update?” he tried to change the subject.

“Now that you ask, yes. My intelligence officer found something, including an address.” Savannah had the widest smile on her face. Noah stood in stunned disbelief. This was the first time in a while that he had been sincerely happy. Finally, a lead on Sophia’s location.

“What are you waiting for, let’s get going.”

“Now?” Noah asked, shocked as she was the one pushing forward.

“There’s no time like the present they say.” Her smile tugged at his heart strings, finally, hope.