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I look away and cross my arms. I have no idea how long I’ll be here, but I know I can’t stay. “I— yes, of course. My boss is aware that I’ll be away for a few months, but she’s expecting me back. My whole life is in London, after all.”
“Your whole life, huh?” Carter says. “I see.”
He shakes his head and turns to walk away, and somehow, I’m left feeling devastated.
Chapter 9
Emilia
I’m tense as I walk into the local clinic a few days later. Dad has been vehemently objecting to me donating one of my kidneys, and he won’t even discuss it with me. He wouldn’t even let me go in to get more information. I’ve had to pretend that I was running to the grocery store.
I’m anxious as I sit in the waiting room. I want to get these tests over with as soon as possible. It kills me to see Dad suffering every single day, especially since there’s a chance I might be able to help him, to save him.
I walk into the doctor’s office and much to my surprise, I recognize the doctor. “Layla?”
She looks up at me, shocked. “Emilia? What are you doing here? I thought you were in London?”
She and I were never close. I mostly remember her as Tony’s little sister, and Gabby’s friend. But still, I expected a slightly warmer welcome from someone I went to school with.
“I came back to spend some time with my father. That’s actually why I’m here. I wanted to discuss whether it’d be possible for me to donate a kidney.” She looks shocked as she sits back down and I smile at her. “So, you became a doctor, huh? That’s amazing.”
She nods, but it’s like she doesn’t even hear me, and I sit down awkwardly.
“I’m actually still in training. I mostly just get to do consultations like these,” she tells me, smiling tightly. I nod. I figured as much.
She seems shellshocked to see me, and I guess that shouldn’t be surprising. I haven’t been back here in eight years. Not even once.
“Where are you staying?” she asks, her voice soft.
I blink, surprised. “I’m staying with my dad,” I tell her, a polite smile on my face.
She swallows hard and looks away. “So, you’re staying with Carter.”
I forget that everyone knows everything in small towns. Everyone probably knows that my dad is staying with Carter, so it won’t take long before they realise that I am too.
Layla shakes her head and inhales deeply. “Right, so, you want to discuss kidney donation? For women the main risks relate to childbearing. If you ever want to have children, then that’s something to consider, and it’s something I have to mention, but the risks are low.”
I nod and take notes as she runs me through everything I need to know. I squirm just a little as she takes my blood, and before I know it I’m on my way again. In just a couple of days I’ll know for sure how compatible my dad and I would be. I can’t help but think about children as I drive back to Carter’s house. I have no idea whether I even want them, but I do think I’d like for it to be an option.
I think back to when Carter and I were dating, my heart heavy. We’d told each other that we’d want children together one day. I remember wanting that with him, yet now I’m not sure I want any at all anymore. I certainly can’t imagine having children with Sam.
I walk into the house absentminded, my thoughts on children and what my future might look like. When I imagine what my kids look like, I still imagine them the way I used to, with dark hair and hazel eyes… Carter’s eyes. I sigh and walk into the kitchen, only to pause when I find the chef standing in the kitchen, in full uniform. He looks surprised to see me, and for a second, we both just stare at each other.
“Madam,” he says politely, and I smile at him.
“Hi, Enzo,” I say, greeting the chef. “Are you ever just going to call me Emilia?”
Enzo smiles and shakes his head. He’s so formal — all of Carter’s staff is. Enzo has done a great job taking care of Dad’s diet, but I’m feeling mostly useless here, and I want to spoil Dad myself for once. There’s so much staff taking care of his every need that there isn’t much left for me to help with. I’m going half-crazy doing nothing all day.
I smile at Enzo pleadingly. “Do you think you could let me cook today?” I ask. Enzo smiles at me and shakes his head.
“Are you trying to steal Enzo’s job?”
I whirl around and come face to face with Carter.
My heart hammers in my chest just at the sight of him. I haven’t seen him in a few days now. Not since he walked into the kitchen, dripping wet. He’s still every bit as handsome. If anything, he looks even better now. There’s an edge to him that didn’t use to be there, almost as though life has made him jaded. It’s in his eyes, in the way he holds himself. He makes me nervous.
Even though it’s been eight years, to me it all still feels so recent. I’m worried I can’t be around him without acting awkward. I don’t want to make him feel uncomfortable in his own home. I’ve been trying my best to stay out of his way, but it’s been so hard. I keep wanting to reach out to him, when I know I shouldn’t. I tried discussing me moving into our place with Dad, but just like Carter expected, he threatened to move back with me if I do so. He’d actually do it too; I have no doubt.
