Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 76959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
He nods.
“I wasn’t around when he was brought in.” I blow out a breath. “The doorman…a friend, Eugene, was with him. I’m not clear on what was happening. Was Lloyd in pain? Was he having trouble breathing?”
He looks over to where Lloyd is still asleep. “I think the weight of his grief got the best of him today. His blood pressure spiked. His blood sugar was low. It was a combination of a few things.”
“I see.”
“Fate may have played a hand in it too.”
“Fate?” I raise my chin. “How so?”
“After speaking with Lloyd, I got the sense he would have ignored his heart issues indefinitely. What happened today was his saving grace. I’m going to do everything in my power to get that stent in before he walks out of here. With some healthy diet habits and an exercise regime, I believe Lloyd has many good years left.”
“You’re serious?”
Dr. Morgan smiles. “Grief therapy can help him tremendously but let’s take this one step at a time. He’ll be awake in a few hours. I’ll be back to work my charm.”
I reach to shake his hand. “Thank you. I can’t thank you enough.”
“He has a good heart.” He pats the center of his chest. “It may need some work now, but fundamentally with some patience, love, and attention, Mr. Abdon can get through this. I’ll do my part.”
“And I’ll do mine,” I say because I will.
I’m going to help Lloyd find a path out of his grief, and I’m going to find my wife. I need her. I want her, and I have to figure out why the hell Lloyd had her wedding rings.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Trina
“How are you doing?” Dr. Gavin Fuller walks into the exam room with a smile on his face.
We’ve been in the emergency department for almost two hours.
Dr. Fuller greeted Aurora as soon as we were brought to this room. He introduced himself and explained that he wanted to hook her up to intravenous fluids. He told us that his concern was that she was becoming dehydrated.
Since then, blood has been drawn, and a nurse came in to ask Aurora a variety of questions related to her medical history.
I tried to excuse myself, but Aurora insisted that I stay.
I was happy to.
Sitting next to her, telling her stories about my siblings and the bakery has kept her smiling.
“I’m tired,” Aurora admits. “Can I go home?”
“Soon.” He glances at me. “How about you? How are you?”
He’s a handsome guy, and before I was married, I’d flirt shamelessly with him, but my heart belongs to only one man.
“I’m good.” I shift my gaze to Aurora. “I’m concerned for Aurora. She almost fainted in my arms tonight.”
I told the nurse that story earlier.
He typed something into the tablet in his hand and thanked me for the extra details.
I have no idea if he was being polite or if that bit of information was important.
Dr. Fuller looks at the tablet he’s holding. “I have your blood tests results, Ms. Salik.”
“It’s Aurora,” she insists. “Please call me that.”
“Aurora,” he repeats her name with a grin. “I want to double back to something before I share the results.”
“I can wait outside.” I point to the corridor outside the room. “I’ll try calling Eldon again.”
I’ve left two voicemail messages so far for Aurora’s boyfriend. I was calm as I explained that we’re at Lennox Hill Hospital because Aurora thinks she has food poisoning.
It wasn’t an official diagnosis, but I didn’t want to leave a message with fewer details than that because I don’t want Eldon to panic.
“Please stay.” Aurora reaches for my hand. “I’m sure it’s just food poisoning, but I’d like you here with me.”
I nod. “I won’t go anywhere.”
Dr. Fuller rubs his chin. “You told the nurse that your last period was a few weeks ago. Is that right? Was it lighter than normal? Shorter?”
My heart beats faster.
I know exactly where this is headed.
How did I not see this at my apartment when Aurora ran off to the bathroom?
“I don’t know how that relates to food poisoning.” Aurora shrugs.
Dr. Fuller steals a glance at me. I see the smile on his face.
“Humor me, Aurora.”
She barks out a laugh. “You’re the doctor, so okay. I don’t keep close track of my cycle, but I think it was three weeks ago. It might have been four, or…”
“More?” he interrupts.
She nods. “It could have been. Work is busy, and I haven’t told anyone, but I’m going to apply to nursing school.”
My hand leaps to my mouth. “Aurora, that’s incredible.”
“I don’t have what it takes to be a doctor.” She turns to Dr. Fuller. “I know I’ll make a great nurse, though. I’m compassionate. I’m kind. The sight of blood doesn’t make me squeamish.”
The doctor tilts his head as a grin ghosts his mouth. “You’re also pregnant.”
Aurora’s head snaps in my direction before she turns back to look at him. “Say again, please.”