Chapter 61 61
"Who is this Liam that has Brooke's attention so much? She said she loved him." Nathan spoke to no one in particular. "Lucky man he is."
Ok, Liam. I will call you in the morning. Goodnight for now. I love you, sweetie
Nathan recalled the phone call he heard Brooke making.
Re recalled how Brooke would always say 'I love you' to him. Then, he never took the word to heart, except that she was forcing herself on him. He never thought much of her words and worse, he never ever said it back. Now he wished he could turn back time and make it right.
He has no one to blame but himself. He didn't realize his true feelings for her while she was with him. Until he lost her. Then he knew he loved her.
His unfortunate irony of love is finding out he loved her, only after he has lost her. She had to walk out of his life for him to find his true feelings for her.
"What have I done to myself? I am so fucked up." He announced and picked up his refilled glass, gulping down the whole content at a time.
He recalled how Ryan has been helping him look for Brooke for years. "How did Ryan miss Emberwood?" Nathan said. He thought about how it is said to be the best at heart surgery. Does that mean that their insurance did not extend to this city or did Ryan lie to him about it all this time? That is a question that only Ryan can answer.
He tried calling Ryan at that moment but he still could not get in touch with him. He will have to call Ryan's assistant to ask if Ryan has a different number that he can reach.
Instead, Nathan called his other friend, Matt. The phone rang but Matt did not answer. Nathan did not give up. He called back again immediately. It rang for a while before Matt answered.
"Nathan, why are you calling me this late? Is something wrong?" Matt asked in a sleepy voice.
Nathan didn't bother what the time was. He only wanted to share his moment with someone and maybe get advice.
"I finally found her. I found Bee in Emberwood." Nathan revealed.
Matt was silent, trying to process what Nathan said. "That's- that's good news, right? Have you talked to her?" He asked.
"Just briefly, for now." Nathan said.
"Then you should talk to her. Tell her everything." Matt advised.
"There might be a problem though. I think Bee is married. Or in a relationship." Nathan said with a sad tone.
"You seemed not to be sure. Did she tell you that?" Matt probed.
"Not exactly." Nathan revealed. He then told Matt everything that happened earlier. How he walked in on her on the phone with Liam. How he also found out that she is the doctor assigned to his father.
"If she is, that is unfortunate. If she is in a relationship or even married, all you can do now is to give up. But first, get to talk to her. Let her know how you feel and how you have been searching for her for years. You both should have closure. At least you have tried but." Matt advised. "And then, you can also have a closure and let it go." Matt added.
The idea of giving up on Brooke made his heart shrink. He just couldn't let her go. That would be too hard for him. "She is coming to see father tomorrow. I will try and talk to her." Nathan acknowledged his friend's advice. He also knows what Matt said is the truth.
They talked a little more. When they were about to end the call, Matt gave him another piece of advice.
"Oh... And Nathan, why don't you try and shave a bit. It won't hurt to look a bit more presentable. Best of luck."
The next morning
Brooke received a call from Doctor Patel. Immediately she saw the call, she knew the reason why he called that early. She answered the call and greeted him.
"Good morning, Doctor Patel."
"Doctor Bee, morning. Your new patient's profile has been submitted to you, right? We will have a briefing before you meet the patient. I called early so that you can add it to your schedule." Doctor Patel explained."
"Ok, doctor. But first, I need to go home and drop my son at school. I will be back before 9:00 am." Brooke said.
After the conversation with Doctor Patel, Brooke went home to freshen up. And also prepare Liam for school. She did not get any sleep at all. But it is something that her system has already adjusted to, since med school days.
Before 8:00 am, Brooke and her son were in the car on the way to school. Her driver is the one driving them. While the two sat at the back.
Brooke looked at her son. She was reminded who he looked so much like. She still didn't have the courage to tell her son about his father. But with the way things are beginning to unfold, it seems like she has to tell him.
She might as well have to tell Nathan about Liam. But that depends on his reaction to the news. Then she will have to face a much bigger problem. Ryan knew where she was. And Nathan being a father all the while. She knows Nathan must feel betrayed by one of his best friends for keeping all these from him. But she must exclude Ryan from it.
Ryan was still unable to get his old phone number back. Probably because he is in another country. But the other night, he called her with his temporary number.
Brooke sent him a text message while they were on the way to Liam's school.
Brooke:(Ryan, Nathan has found me. They came to Emberwood because his father needs surgery. I am his doctor. Call me when you are free. We have to talk.)
She sent the message to Ryan and put her phone back in her handbag. They soon arrived at Liam's school. They said their goodbyes and Brooke headed to the hospital.
She couldn't help but think of what awaits her at the hospital with the Leos family. After all these years, she is coming face to face with them again.