Chapter 17 Chapter 17
Dr. Ichika
The hospital was silent, the kind of silence that weighed heavily after a long, exhausting day. I sat at my desk, staring at the phone. In front of me was the crumpled piece of paper where Amber had hesitantly scribbled her father’s contact information earlier in the session. It had taken days of gentle nudging to get her to share it, and even then, I could see the conflict in her eyes.
She didn’t trust him. That much was obvious.
I took a deep breath, dialing the number before I could overthink it. The line rang once, twice, and then a third time before a gruff voice answered.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Queen?” I asked, keeping my tone professional. “This is Dr. Ichika Kirishima. I’m calling from Hunter Valley Medical.”
“What’s this about?” he asked, his voice sharp and impatient.
“It’s about your daughter, Amber,” I began carefully. “She’s currently under my care as a patient. I’m her therapist.”
There was a pause. “Amber?” he repeated, his tone flat.
“Yes,” I confirmed. “She was admitted to our hospital after being the victim of a brutal sexual assault and she's currently almost five weeks pregnant. She’s in a fragile mental and physical state and is battling with some intense trauma. I’m calling to inform you that she’s ready to be discharged tomorrow morning, but she needs a guardian or family member to take responsibility for her.” I paused momentarily.
“I also want to offer my services as a therapist. Her case is a difficult one but I've made some progress with her and I'm sure with enough care and patience, she'll be able to make it out of this.”
I waited for a response, expecting concern, worry—anything. Instead, there was silence. Then, to my shock, a loud, grating laugh erupted through the line.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice.
“You’ve got the wrong man, Doctor,” he said between chuckles. “I don’t have a daughter.”
The words hit me like a slap. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” he said, his tone growing cold. “I don’t have a daughter. That pathetic excuse for an Omega stopped being my child the day she was born, after she took my mate’s life.”
I clenched my jaw, struggling to maintain my composure. “Mr. Queen,” I said firmly, “I don’t know what grudge or prejudice you have against Amber, but she is your daughter. And right now, she needs you more than ever. It isn't just about her anymore, she's pregnant with your grandchild. Whatever has happened in the past, this is your chance to make things right.”
“My chance?” he scoffed. “I owe that girl nothing. She’s a disgrace. A stain on the Queen family name. I’ve already wasted enough time on her.”
“She’s not just an Omega,” I countered, my voice rising slightly. “She’s a person with a heart that feels pain. A young woman who has been through unimaginable trauma. Are you really going to abandon her when she needs you the most?”
He was quiet for a moment, but I could hear his sharp intake of breath. “Let me make this very clear, Doctor,” he said, his tone dripping with disdain. “That girl is not, and will never be, my daughter. She’s nothing to me. She and that bastard in her belly can die for all I care. I suggest you never call this number again.”
Before I could respond, the line went dead.
I stared at the phone in disbelief, anger simmering beneath the surface. How could a father be so heartless? How could he turn his back on his own flesh and blood?
Eto stirred in my mind, her voice calm but firm. “You’re letting this get to you too much.”
“How could I not?” I snapped aloud, slamming the phone down. “He’s her father, Eto. He should care!”
“And yet he doesn’t,” she replied. “So what now?”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me. The truth was, I wasn’t surprised by Mr. Queen’s reaction. From the little Amber had shared, I knew her family history was far from ideal. But hearing it firsthand still stung.
This wasn’t just about the assault. Amber’s condition was a culmination of years of neglect, rejection, and pain. She had been bottling it up for so long, and now, everything had spilled over.
I buried my face in my hands, my mind racing. I couldn’t convince the hospital director to let her stay longer—he had made that painfully clear. And there was no way I was going to send her back to the streets or some overcrowded shelter.
There was only one option left.
“I’ll take her home,” I murmured, the decision solidifying in my mind.
Eto growled softly. “Ichika… you know this isn’t a good idea. She’s your patient, not your responsibility.”
“She’s both,” I argued. “I can’t abandon her, Eto. Not after everything she’s been through.”
“This isn’t about Amber,” Eto said, her voice tinged with caution. “You’re trying to fill the void Anna left behind.”
My chest tightened at the mention of my daughter. “No one can replace Anna,” I said quietly. “This isn’t about her. Amber needs help, and I’m the only one who can give it to her.”
“And when she’s better?” Eto pressed. “Will you be able to let her go?”
I hesitated, the weight of her question settling heavily on my shoulders. Deep down, I knew Eto was right. I was forming a bond with Amber—a bond that went beyond the boundaries of a patient and therapist. But that didn’t change what I needed to do.
“When she’s better,” I said firmly, “I’ll let her go. But until then, she’s staying with me.”
Eto sighed, retreating to the back of my mind. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow, everything would change.
“I won’t let you fall, Amber,” I whispered. “Not while I still have the strength to catch you.”