Chapter 45

LILY

Dinner with Carmichael on Friday, Anna's surgery on Friday...Which would I be going for?

I tried calling Maddy again but the number was suddenly unreachable.

She'd blocked me.

I tried to forget about it, spending the whole day with my mother and Anna.

Ever since my mother knew Anna's father was Dominic, there was this concerned look in her eyes whenever she looked at me.

I tried not to notice it.

As she left to get us dinner, the doctor called me out to introduce me to the surgeon, Renee, who'd operate on Anna.

She gently briefed me about the surgery, the risks and other medical information that breezed past me even as I tried to focus.

I listened to her say the surgery was scheduled for five pm friday.

I instantly knew I wasn't going for the dinner.

Mr Carmichael could dig about me if he wanted.

Or so I thought until Mrs Croft reminded me why I was impersonating her "missing" daughter in the first place.

Thursday afternoon, mid conversation with Anna about places she'd like to visit after the surgery, someone knocked on the room door.

I raised my head with a half smile, expecting it to be my mother but when the door opened, the person who walked through was an unfamiliar man.

Tall, dressed in business clothes, curly brown hair, brown eyes in a plain face with an armful of fancy looking baskets full of wrapped gifts.

What in the world?

"Who's that, mummy?" Anna softly asked, her eyes flickering from the stranger to my face.

I frowned, rising to my feet. Unease curled in my stomach. A stalker? I'd never seen this man before.

My eyes fell on the emergency dial on Anna's bed.

The man stretched the basket in his hand forward, a warm smile on his face.

"I apologize for showing up unannounced, Mrs Sinclair," he flashed me an ID card, "My name is Kent. My boss, Mr Carmichael wanted to wish your daughter a successful surgery."

My mouth fell open in surprise. I watched him drop the baskets on the ground.

My mind spiralled with panicked thoughts. Carmichael knew Anna's real hospital, he'd sent someone over and it wasn't just for gifts. I could tell from Kent's calculating gaze.

This was bad.

"Gifts? That's awesome!" Anna echoed from behind me, excitement in her tone.

I shot her a disbelieving look before clearing my throat, managing a smile.

"That was very thoughtful of him," I smoothly said, "Please pass my thanks to Mr Carmichael."

Thanks my ass.

Kent smiled, turned and headed to the door. I let out a breath, eying the baskets on the ground.

Something tugged at my blouse. It was Anna.

Her chubby hand pointed at the baskets hopefully, "Can I open them now, mummy?"

Mr Carmichael owned one of the biggest tech companies in the world. There could be a chip in there or a microbot or something else.

Whatever he'd sent, my daughter wasn't accepting it.

I ruffled her hair.

"After your surgery, baby girl."

"Oh, and one last thing," I heard Kent say. I shot him an impatient look. Could he leave already?

He smiled in response.

"Mr Carmichael says you've got a very pretty daughter, ma'am. That she reminds him of someone." He paused to let the moment sink in.

"Well," he reached for the doorknob, "I trust he'll see you tomorrow by 5. Have a good day, Mrs Sinclair."

The blood drained from my face as the door shut behind him.

I had to be overthinking his words. Anna reminded him of who? Abigail? Or was Anna's resemblance to Dominic that noticeable?

I sighed.

And why 5pm?! Carmichael had to know what time Anna's surgery was. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. What did he want me to discuss over dinner with him for?

The nurse walked in to check in on Anna to run a few more tests. I picked the baskets and slipped out of the room, scrolling through my contacts.

I had to call Dominic and tell him about this.

But..

My finger hesitated on his contact.

Carmichael and Dominic had history. They knew each other for years. Dominic probably still saw Carmichael as a father figure.

Marrying me must have caused the rift between both of them.

This dinner looked like a chance to call truce. What would be my excuse if I told Dominic I didn't want to attend?

I called and it went straight to voicemail. I blinked in surprise before scrolling past the contact.

He was busy.

I gritted my teeth, ignoring the ball of emotions unfurling in my chest.

How many times had he told me about 'public husband duties'? Protecting me against his sister wasn't part of that.

So why was I still hurt?

I struggled with my internal frustration. The only Sinclair that wasn't against me was the one he told me to avoid.

The nurse came out of the room, flashing me a polite smile as she passed.

I glanced at the baskets and instantly came to a conclusion.

"Hey, wait," I called out, struggling to hand out the baskets to her, "Could you help me pass these out?"

She blinked, lost.

I smiled patronizingly, ripping open one I was very sure was a teddy bear, "It's gifts for kids. I don't want any child feeling alone during their surgery," I softly explained.

The nurse's eyes misted over. She took the baskets eagerly. I instantly felt guilty but before I could take the baskets back, she'd taken a step back.

"You're very thoughtful, ma'am," she praised before walking off.

The praise worsened my guilt even further.

I wasn't thoughtful, just a fake.

I walked back into the room to see Anna already invested in the cartoon on TV. She absently patted the space next to her for me to sit.

"Can we go the park after the surgery mum?" She softly asked, eyes still pinned on the cartoon. I swallowed, sitting next to her and tugging her so she leaned on my chest.

"Anything you want, dear."

She turned to look at me with glassy eyes, tears already wetting her lashes, "I'm scared, mummy."

My heart twisted painfully. She buried her face in my chest.

It took everything in me not to take her hand, get in a taxi and leave the city for a fresh start.

"Me too, love," I whispered.

"Will you be there in the room with me?" She mumbled.

I bit back my lie and stroked her hair instead, "I'll be there when you wake up, love. I promise."

I swear.

Whatever Carmicheal had to say had better than be snappy. If not, I would come right back to the hospital, consequences be damned.