Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“No, I assure you, I’m perfectly alright,” Mia responded.
She wondered how she would conceal her pregnancy once the doctor arrived.
Mia locked eyes with Timothy, her defiance evident. However, in a surprising turn, Timothy closed the distance, gently touching their foreheads together.
Mia looked at Timothy as he drew near, their noses meeting in an unexpected moment.
Caught off guard, she struggled to comprehend Timothy’s intentions.
In the ensuing moment. Timothy asked in a soft tone. “Do you feel the temperature difference?”
Blinking in response, Mia realized his forehead felt as cool as ice.
Suddenly, a cough echoed from the side, breaking the tension. “Ahem, be mindful of where you are. This is a hospital,” a stern voice reminded them.
Timothy quickly composed himself, and Mia, feeling a rush of embarrassment, hastily pulled the blanket over her face.
Genevieve, the nurse, addressed the pair, “The patient’s family members can wait outside. Those who haven’t registered should do so before proceeding.”
Mia cautiously observed Timothy’s departing footsteps through the gap in the blanket, letting out a sigh of relief only when he was out of sight.
Finally, he had left.
Quietly retracting the blanket, Mia whispered to Genevieve, “Honestly, I’m fine. There’s no need for any treatment.”
In response, Genevieve aimed a thermometer at her and commented, “Your temperature is 39 degrees Celsius.
Are you sure you’re fine?”
Mia’s expression turned somber. She hadn’t been aware of her high fever.
Glancing at the entering doctor, Genevieve briefed, “Dr. Lane, we’ve got a patient with a 39¨Cdegree fever who’s a bit reluctant about seeking treatment.”
“Declining treatment at 39 degrees? Are they aiming for a warmer experience at the crematorium, perhaps?”
The familiar voice caused Mia to once again draw the blanket over her face; a sudden wave of panic flooding over her.
“It’s Connor!” she realized.
To Mia’s surprise, Timothy had brought her to the public hospital! Panic set in¨Cwhat should she do now?
Indeed, this was a dire situation.
How would Mia possibly explain herself if Connor recognized her?
Feeling light¨Cheaded and disoriented, Mia couldn’t help but regret venturing out of her house in the first place.
Approaching in a white coat, Connor noticed the patient wrapped in a blanket and spoke sternly, “If you keep wrapping up like that, the blanket might start to overheat.”
Mia clutched the blanket tighter, unwilling to confront the reality unfolding before her.
Turning to Genevieve, Connor instructed, “Pull back the patient’s blanket for me.”
“No!”
Mia instinctively stepped back from Genevieve, involuntarily letting out a gasp. She hurriedly muffled it with her hand, but it was too late¨CGenevieve had already revealed her.
Meeting Connor’s gaze with an innocent look, Mia murmured, “Hi Connor.”
A shadow crossed Connor’s face as he inquired, “Mia, what brings you here? Are you feeling unwell?”
Without hesitation, he picked up the thermometer. The instant his eyes read the 39¨Cdegree reading, his expression immediately darkened.
“Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well? And why would you refuse treatment? Are you intentionally trying to send me to an early grave to inherit my credit card?” he quipped.
Surrendering to Connor’s persistence, Mia replied, “I have my reasons.”
“Regardless of your justifications, we can’t postpone treatment. You need to take your medicine and receive IV fluids to lower that fever.”
“I can’t,” Mia uttered with a sense of urgency.
She held onto Connor’s arm tightly, her expression filled with desperation. “Connor, I can’t handle medication or even an IV drip.”
“Is it because of an allergy to medication?” Connor pressed, his concern evident.
She slowly shook her head, a trace of guilt in her eyes. “No, Connor. It’s because I’m pregnant.”
Connor loosened his grip in shock, causing his pen to fall.
He touched his ear momentarily as if attempting to clear a sudden fog. “Did I hear you correctly?”
“You heard me right,” Mia affirmed. “Because I’m pregnant, I can’t just take any medication or get an IV drip.”
Stunned, Connor took a step back, his expression turning stern. “Who’s the father?” he demanded.
The thought of someone being the reason behind his sister’s pregnancy gripped with a surge of unexpected and intense anger.
After years of maintaining composure, this newfound emotion threatened to shatter his restraint.
Who could this reprehensible individual be?
Just then, Timothy entered the room, his demeanor serious as he fixed his gaze on Genevieve. “Why hasn’t the treatment begun? I’ve already completed the registration.”
Genevieve offered no response, her eyes shifting subtly toward Connor.
As Connor laid eyes on the unexpectedly present man, a wave of familiarity washed over him.
Connor’s attention shifted from Timothy to Mia lying on the bed, a flicker of suspicion igniting within him.
Could the child be Timothy’s?
Timothy’s recurring involvement with the Lane family women only deepened Connor’s speculations.
Avoiding Connor’s penetrating gaze, Mia pleaded softly, “Please prescribe a fever¨Creducing medication for me. However, given my condition, there are specific drugs I can’t take. Please be mindful.”
Her hushed plea served as a subtle reminder to Connor about her pregnancy, stressing the need for discretion in Timothy’s presence.
Pushing aside his swirling thoughts, Connor turned to Genevieve, “Prepare the prescription and the necessary medication.”
“Shouldn’t she have an IV drip?” Timothy interjected, shooting a perplexed glance.
Annoyed, Connor replied, “IV drips can sometimes do more harm than good.”
“But her fever is alarmingly high,” Timothy countered.
Meeting Timothy’s challenge with a steely gaze, Connor retorted, “Are you the attending doctor here, or am I? If you think you can handle it better, be my guest.”
Mia’s eyes darted nervously between the two men, silently hoping they wouldn’t escalate the situation.
Timothy’s demeanor quickly darkened, yet he held his silence, his displeasure evident in his expression.
Moments later, Genevieve arrived with the prescribed medication in hand.
Looking at Connor, she informed, “Dr. Lane, they’re calling for you at Bed 35.”
Connor quickly regained his composure and turned to Mia, instructing, “Please take your medication now; I’ll be back later.”
Complying with a nod, Mia replied, “Okay.”
Sitting by the bedside, Mia watched Connor exit the room, a sense of relief washing over her.
Running into Connor unexpectedly might be a stroke of luck she didn’t realize she needed. With him around, she stood a better chance of keeping her pregnancy concealed.
Had she chosen to visit the private hospital affiliated with the Barrett family today, her secret would have been unveiled.
Could this unexpected encounter be a blessing in disguise?
Reaching for the medicine beside her, Mia realized the water dispenser was across the room.
As she mustered the energy to get up, Timothy stepped forward, taking the paper cup from her hand and heading to the dispenser.
Observing Timothy’s silhouette and reflecting on how he had escorted her to the hospital, Mia recognized that despite his shortcomings, a trace of humanity still existed within him.
When Timothy returned, Mia averted her gaze, accepting the cup of water he offered. “Thank you.”
After swallowing her medicine and reclining once more, Mia noticed Timothy still standing beside her.
Meeting his gaze, she said, “Thank you for bringing me here. I’ll manage on my own when it’s time to leave.”
Timothy’s lips tightened, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Do you think I have the luxury of waiting around for you?”
With those words lingering, Timothy walked out of the emergency room.
However, instead of departing immediately, he paused in the corridor, visibly tense as he loosened his tie.