Chapter 69

POV Clayre

A week has passed since my father revealed my mother’s threat, but for some reason, he is still with me. He left his partner in charge of the accounting firm. All I wanted was a moment alone with Jack, but he seems unwilling to be alone, so I’ve been making the most of my time with him. One day we went to the beach, another night we had dinner at Jack’s bar, and today, unexpectedly, he told me I need to repeat my tests—one month earlier than planned.

We walk up the hospital stairs, and he is tense. His right hand scratches his chin every minute, his legs are rigid, and his expression is apprehensive.

“Dad, you look like a robot. What’s going on? Tell me the truth. Why did they move the test forward? I’m fine!” I state confidently, placing my hands on my waist as I stop at the top of the stairs.

He steps back and keeps walking, forcing me to follow him.

“Precaution, Clayre. Nothing’s wrong.” I stop in my tracks, and he turns his body to look at me.

I’ve been so focused on myself, on Jack, on how we’re free, that I forgot to think about him. My father is probably like this because he just ended a relationship. How insensitive of me to forget that he also has a life, that he might have a broken heart?

“Dad, I’m sorry. I…” He frowns in confusion and catches me in his arms as I jump on him. “I’m an idiot. You’re sad. Who’s the wicked woman that played with your heart?”

A loud laugh escapes as he hugs me warmly. “Daughter, there’s no woman in my life, just you, and that’s perfectly fine. You alone are enough of a headache.”

I kiss his cheek. “When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here!”

He lets go of me and pulls me by the hand as we walk through the hallways.

We stop in front of the glass door, and I’m startled to see Jack.

“Jack? What are you doing here?”

He tenderly pulls me into his arms and kisses my lips passionately.

I surrender to his magnificent tongue, and our mouths explore each other with intensity.

“You’re in a hospital. Stop that,” Gerald scolds irritably.

We separate our faces but remain close.

“Your father told me about the test, and I wanted to support you.”

“Funny, you two have been talking all the time. Are you finally friends now?”

“No,” my father responds curtly.

“Your dad will never admit that he loves me and that I’m now his dream son-in-law. A sinful dark angel.”

I let out a laugh, particularly enjoying how much Gerald denies that he actually likes spending time with Jack.

Our moment is interrupted by a man who awkwardly enters the room. He is extremely tall, like Jack, with almost white blonde hair, vivid green eyes, nearly translucent skin, a well-groomed beard, and wearing a blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. His gaze falls directly on my face, and his cheeks flush with shyness.

“Good morning,” he greets in a deep voice.

“Good morning,” my father and Jack reply, and the man sits on the bench as we do the same.

Every second, he examines me intently, but it’s not a look of interest—rather, curiosity. Gerald stands up, and Jack follows.

“Let’s get some coffee while we wait for the nurse. Is that okay, daughter?”

“Of course, go ahead.”

The two leave the room, and I lean back in my chair awkwardly, trying to pretend I don’t notice the handsome man still staring at me.

“I hate hospitals,” he confesses with a half-broken smile as he pushes his fallen blonde hair back from his face.

“Childhood trauma?”

“Is it that obvious?”

We smile together.

“Yes, but that’s because I hate hospitals too. I spent many days hospitalized, and since I was a child, I’ve had to be in one every year.”

“I’m sorry,” he says with sympathy.

“It’s okay! Even though I hate it, it’s what keeps me well, so it has its advantages.”

We stare at each other in silence for a few minutes.

“Are you sick?”

He shakes his head. “No, I came for a test. And you?”

“Me too, just another day of battle.”

Our conversation is interrupted by the nurse entering the room, and she instantly pales when she sees us. I study her face and confirm she was the same one who did my transfusion last month. She recovers briefly and smiles, walking toward the counter to place the collection materials down.

“Good morning!” I greet, and she stammers but responds.

“G-Good morning! How are you feeling, Clayre Freburg, right?”

Her eyes watch me so intently that I can’t look away.

“I’m fine, but I got worried. My dad walked in here stiff-legged like a rusty, nervous robot. I thought my last test had a good result!”

Even flustered, the woman picks up the chart and checks it.

“Yes, this is just a precaution. There’s a note that your last transfusion had to be done much earlier than expected.”

Both of them stare at me, and I shrink slightly in my chair, feeling a bit anxious.

“Well, you can see him first. I don’t mind.”

“My name is Baylor. And great, that works.”

“Stay strong, Baylor. It’ll be less painful than an ant bite.”

I give him a thumbs-up, and he smiles.

The woman approaches him with the materials, and I notice how similar they look. But I just watch as he nervously closes his eyes, presses his lips together, and tenses his jaw.

I stand up without thinking, move beside him, and hold his opposite hand, encouraging him. His eyes open, glance down at our hands, and return to my face.

“Pretend I’m your sister offering moral support.”

He breaks into a wide smile at the same moment his eyes well up completely.

Shyly, I look at the nurse, and her eyes mirror mine. My heart tightens, and even though I don’t quite understand what’s happening, I feel a new sensation flowing through my body—an inexplicable emotion. I turn my face toward the wall, trying to hide my hesitation. The test ends, and I release his large hand, which was once cold but is now warm.

Baylor smiles and stands up, gesturing toward the chair.

"Your turn, hospital girl."

We all smile, and I sit down, taking off my long-sleeved red jacket to expose my arm.

The man extends his hand in front of me, waiting for me to accept his support now, and I take it.

"Thank you, traumatized man."

The lightness of the moment surprises me.

Genuinely, my energy blended with theirs, and by the time the test is over, we’re smiling and talking about Baylor’s incredible profession.

"Wow, it must be amazing to be a pilot and witness the sky at different times of the day. Why did you choose this profession?"

"I lost two people I loved dearly in my life, and it was a way to feel closer to them."

"I’m so sorry!"

He smiles.

"It’s okay. The years have passed, and we’ve moved on. If it weren’t for everything that happened, I probably wouldn’t have discovered my calling."

"Do you prefer sunrise or sunset?"

He searches his mind, thinking carefully.

"I must admit, I prefer sunset. That moment when the sky turns a deep petroleum blue, contrasting with the orange hues of the sun’s fading rays. In mere seconds, the rays seem to reflect off the stars beginning to shine in the sky, creating an extraordinary and unforgettable image."

"That could definitely be my favorite pastime in life."

Baylor keeps his broad smile.

"We’re very much alike."

I conclude just as a relieved sigh escapes his lips.

My father and Jack appear at the door and step inside.

"Is everything okay, daughter?"

"Yes, Dad. Can you believe he’s a pilot and gets the privilege of seeing the stars up close?"

"He’s the luckiest man in the world."

We all smile, and my father wraps his right arm around my shoulders.

"Since she was a child, she’s had this fascination with the stars. I had to take her to the park every day and spend at least an hour stargazing. Clayre came into my life like an angel, and…"

My father starts crying, and his reaction surprises me.

"I’ve learned so much from her. I love her deeply."

I hug him tightly, nestling my face into his chest.

"Dad, and here I thought I was the dramatic Cancerian."

I don’t understand his tears, but at this moment, I realize that I’m not here by chance. That this woman and this man aren’t here without a purpose. And that’s exactly what made my father so tense.

In my mind, there’s a huge question mark, a grand chessboard, and I need to understand the game. But right now, I feel like a lost piece, adrift.

After finishing everything, I say goodbye to Baylor and Emma. They both seemed extremely happy, and I felt welcomed.

As we leave the hospital, Jack holds my hand, and with his hypnotic, seductive gaze, he raises his left eyebrow while giving me an irresistible wink.

"What do you think about finally having a candlelit dinner tomorrow night? You know, like romantic people do."

Inside, I want to say yes, but I tilt my head to look at my father.

"Don’t worry about me. You two can go. I have plans tomorrow."

"Where are you going?" I ask curiously.

"An online meeting."

"In that case, Jack, I accept your candlelit dinner invitation."

Excitedly, he grabs my face and bites my lower lip. A moan escapes me, and it’s enough to ignite our desire. It’s been over a month since I last felt Jack’s hands roaming my body. I’m starving, craving this intense connection. The fire that consumes us every time our hearts beat in sync.

"Perfect," he whispers against my lips. "Our first official date is at exactly 5 p.m. We can’t be late."

"I’ll be ready by 4 p.m."