Chapter 171 The Truth
Chapter 171 The Truth
Neither of them moved for a long moment.
The snow fell around them, settling on their shoulders, their hair, and the ground between them. Lena held his gaze, her breath fogging in the cold air.
She finally couldn't hold it any longer, when the tremor in her chest became too much.
"We should go inside," she whispered, turning her face away. "It's cold out here."
Theon's hand curled at his side. He nodded, a faint smile touching his lips.
"After you then.”
Lena glanced at him one last time before turning away.
Theon followed behind.
The distance between them wasn’t far. But neither of them knew how to cross it.
—-
The warmth of the hospital greeted them as they entered. The contrast made her skin prickle.
Doctors and nurses hurried through the corridors. The waiting area seemed far busier than usual.
Lena barely paid attention. She focused on walking.
Unfortunately, Theon seemed determined to follow her.
After several turns, Lena finally stopped and looked over her shoulder.
“You…” her brows drew together. “Are you going this way?”
Theon immediately cleared his throat again, for what felt like the hundredth time.
“I just—“ his throat bobbed. “Yeah. I’m taking this way.”
Lena stared at him.
He was heading straight toward the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. A section he had absolutely no business being in.
‘Liar.’ The word flashed through her mind.
But she said nothing. Instead, the corner of her lips curved up slightly, then she continued walking.
Theon released a breath he didn’t know he was holding and followed.
—
Just as Lena approached the reception desk, someone stepped out from a nearby office.
The receptionist looked up immediately. “Dr. Rosy.”
The older woman didn’t look up. “These are the patients who booked an appointment with you.”
Dr. Rosy glanced at the clock. “They’re late. They can reschedule." She started walking away.
Theon called after her. “Dr. Rosy.”
The woman stopped and turned.
Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Lena.
"Oh. It's you, dear." A smile broke across her face. "Nice to see you again."
Lena returned the smile. "Sorry I'm late."
"It's fine. We'll make it quick." Dr. Rosy's gaze drifted to Theon. "Oh, you're with this young man again. I knew the voice sounded familiar."
Lena frowned slightly. She didn't understand.
But Theon was a doctor here. So it made sense she knew him.
"Nice to see you again too." Dr. Rosy shook Theon's hand.
"Let's go, dear." She led Lena toward her office.
Lena cast a long glance at Theon before moving ahead.
—-
The office door closed behind them.
Rosy washed her hands before putting on gloves.
“I see your husband didn’t come today either.”
Lena froze, but she recovered quickly.
"No." She climbed onto the examination table. “It’s… complicated.”
Rosy hummed. That answer alone told her enough.
“Since you had suffered a miscarriage several months ago, today’s appointment is just a routine follow-up examination. Specifically a pelvic exam, combined with an ultrasound review of previous scans and assessment of recovery.”
Lena shifted uncomfortably.
Rosy noticed immediately. “Relax.”
Lena nodded.
"I'm just going to check you down there. Make sure everything looks fine from the inside."
Lena's eyes went wide. "What?"
"Don't worry. It won't hurt. I'll ask you some questions to keep your mind busy."
Lena let out a breath and stared at the ceiling. Determined not to think about anything happening below her waist.
—
A few minutes passed. Rosy’s voice broke the silence.
"So," she began softly. "What's your relationship with that young man outside?"
Lena blinked at the ceiling. "This isn't a therapy session."
"I know." Dr. Rosy's voice was focused and professional. "But we're close enough for a mother-daughter conversation, don't you think?"
Lena almost rolled her eyes, but she ended up smiling.
"Actually," Dr. Rosy continued, "I prefer him to that other young man who claimed to be your husband. What's his name? I never even got to know it."
Lena's mind slowed. “Theon?”
"Oh… that’s his name. Is he your brother? You two don't look alike."
Lena's brows knitted. "I thought you recognized his voice."
“I did.” Rosy laughed. “Recognizing a voice doesn’t mean I know who he is. If I did, I would have introduced him to my goddaughter."
Lena shifted on the bed.
"Stay still." Dr. Rosy's warning came sharp, then softened. "He left a lasting impression on me when you were rushed in. The way he desperately risked signing those papers. Even though he wasn't your husband."
Lena went still.
Dr. Rosy kept talking, but the words blurred. One phrase echoed over and over.
‘Theon signed the papers.’
"He signed the papers?" Lena's voice came out thin.
"Oh, yes. He was covered in blood. And looked very terrified. He kept asking us to save you.”
Rosy smiled faintly. “I honestly thought he was your husband.”
Lena's heart gave a violent spasm. She couldn’t breathe.
It had been Theon who helped her again. Not Rhys. Or anyone else.
—-
By the time the examination ended, Lena barely heard a word.
“Everything looks good.” Rosy’s voice echoed. “You’ve recovered well.”
Lena nodded. Her thoughts were completely elsewhere.
As soon as Rosy finished speaking, Lena thanked her and rushed out.
—-
The corridor was far more crowded than before.
Patients filled the waiting areas. Nurses rushed from one emergency to another.
Lena ignored all of it and searched every corner, every hallway, and every waiting room. But there was no sign of Theon.
Her phone was dead. So she couldn't contact him.
She suddenly remembered his office. Even if security refused to let her inside, she could wait.
She just needed to hear anything from him.
‘Why hadn’t he told her? Why did he just leave? Why couldn’t he—‘
Lena turned a corner and crashed straight into someone.
“Ouch!”
The woman stumbled backward. Both hands immediately flew to her stomach.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I—" Lena paused with a frown. She angled her head down to gaze at the figure properly.
“Stacy?!”