Page 30 of Medical Malpractice

I didn’t know why I was disclosing so much to a stranger, yet I couldn’t help but open up to her calming aura.

In turn for my answer, a certain spark seemed to radiate from her. Like my statement lit her up with happiness and relief. “Ah, I’m so glad to hear that—”

“Baby?” someone called from the side. We both turned to watch a good-looking man approach. His gaze bounced between us, his features neutrally smoothing before he placed a palm on her lower back. “There you are. You ready for the next presentation?”

The woman before me patted his hand, giving a reassuring smile. His features melted beneath her attention, a look of pure love shining between them. After a few beats, he nodded, a subtle acknowledgement to the nonverbal communication of a married couple in sync.

“Don’t let me keep you,” I said. “I’d better be off myself.”

That’s when she reached out and grasped my hand between both of hers. Her green eyes bored into mine, raw sincerity swimming beneath. “It was lovely to meet you, Gabriella Rossi. Truly. I’m so glad you and your husband found one another again.”

Before I could respond, she was off. I tracked her departure, her shining brunette hair getting further and further away. That’s when I realised. She knew my name, but I didn’t manage to catch hers.

Chapter 18

LEONARDO

The weekend had been such a great success that even Mondayitis couldn’t dampen my revitalised mood.

Bookings at the clinic were back-to-back, and by the end of the day, I was running behind. As I prepared for my final appointment, I sent a quick message to Gabriella, letting her know I’d be home late.

I quickly scrolled through the client’s file, which was virtually empty. It was for a new consultation with a thirty-eight-year-old female, seeking advice for a family member. Alexis Thorne had insisted on the last booking of the day, and I didn’t think a general conversation would take that long.

A knock sounded from the door before she slipped inside, her long brunette hair hiding eyes that refused to meet mine.

“Please, take a seat,” I said, raising and gesturing to the chair on the opposite side of my desk.

The poor woman was nervous, her white-knuckled fingers twisting through the handbag strap on her lap.

She seemed out of sorts, and I wanted to make her feel at ease. Whatever she had to say was obviously taking a toll on her. She must really love this family member.

As the environment grew tense, I sat down, deciding to take the initiative and engage. “Alexis? May I call you that?”

Upon hearing her name, her gaze immediately pinged to mine, making direct eye contact for the first time. And as her green orbs sank deep, a distinct, intuitive sense overloaded my system. That’s when I knew that this person was about to change my life.

“Doctor Rossi.”

“You can call me Leonardo.” My heart was thumping, my subconscious picking up on something that I couldn’t quite identify… Until she bared her soul open and offered it to me.

“Leonardo,” she said, voice clear and determined. “I can understand why you wouldn’t recognise me, as we only met as strangers over a decade ago. Umm—shit. There’s no easy way to say this, but we have a child together…”

My mouth dropped open, but nothing came out. Potent shock tore through me as my mind completely disassociated. Everything went numb as I disconnected from reality, untethered and senseless.

It’s not true. It can’t be true. But what reason would she have to lie?

Alexis waited patiently, letting me gather my thoughts as her features dropped in sympathy.

After several minutes, I sipped some water and cleared my throat. “I have so many questions,” I whispered. “Where do I start?”

“I’ll answer anything you want. But would you like me to start from the beginning?”

I nodded, staring at this stranger, this woman who claimed to be the mother of my child. Oh, god, what do I do?

Her shoulders rolled back so she could stare at me straight on, resolved to get through it—whatever it was.

“We met twelve years ago at a random bar in this city. My divorce had just been finalised, and you happened to be passing through. We were only together for that one night, and it never went further.”

Now that she was conjuring those memories, I had a hazy recollection of that fateful night.