Chapter 12 You’re Here
Maggie gasped. “Son?”
“I missed you!” Pete yelled.
Her heart exploded.
“Oh my God,” Maggie breathed. “That’s my baby—”
The call ended.
The line went dead.
“Hello?” Maggie said quickly. “Andrew?”
Silence.
She stared at the screen.
Her thumb trembled as she redialed.
Voicemail.
Again.
Voicemail.
Her smile faded slowly, confusion replacing it.
“Why did it hang up?” she whispered. “Was it the network?”
She hugged the phone to her chest, staring at the flowers by the window.
“I just wanted to talk to my son,” she murmured, her voice breaking. “Maybe I should dial again one more time.”
She did, but same result. No answer. Just straight to voicemail.
The machines continued to beep steadily beside her.
Beep… beep… beep…
Maggie lay back slowly, eyes fixed on the ceiling again.
“It’s okay,” she whispered to herself. “He’ll come. He said so yesterday. I hope he brings our son.”
But something— something she couldn’t name— stirred uneasily in her chest.
And it didn’t feel like love.
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'ANDREW’S POV: IMMEDIATELY AFTER HE STEPPED OUT OF AMELIA’S HOUSE ONTO HER DRIVEWAY'
Andrew yanked the driver’s door open and dropped into the leather seat of the black 2022 Chevrolet Blazer, slamming the door harder than necessary. The cabin swallowed the sound, but his jaw stayed clenched as his fingers wrapped tightly around the steering wheel.
He shoved the key into the ignition.
The engine roared to life.
“Stupid woman,” he hissed, his lips barely parting as he pulled out of the driveway.
The SUV rolled onto the street, tires humming against asphalt as the early Brooklyn morning rushed past the windows.
“I can’t even have some alone time for myself and my lover anymore,” he muttered, eyes narrowing at the traffic light ahead, “without you interrupting everything.”
He pressed harder on the accelerator the moment the light turned green.
“If I had known,” he continued, teeth grinding, “I would’ve deleted my number from your phone. Made sure you couldn’t call me.”
He scoffed, shaking his head.
“Now look at me.”
Cars surrounded him as he merged into traffic, horns blaring in short impatient bursts. His jaw flexed again as he weaved through lanes, one hand gripping the wheel while the other drummed against it in irritation.
Thirty minutes later, the SUV rolled into the expansive parking lot of the state-of-the-art hospital upstate. Andrew pulled into a spot, cut the engine, and sat there for a brief second, breathing heavily.
“Bitch,” he muttered, staring straight ahead.
His lips curved downward, the anger plain on his face— until he lifted his hand and smoothed it down his tie.
In seconds, the scowl vanished.
A perfect smile replaced it.
He stepped out of the vehicle, shut the door gently, and adjusted his jacket as if nothing in the world was wrong. His stride was confident as he entered the hospital, polished shoes clicking softly against the glossy floor.
Inside the sleek elevator, the doors slid shut with a quiet chime. Andrew leaned back against the mirrored wall, staring at his own reflection.
“I have to devise a plan,” he murmured under his breath, voice low. “Fast.”
The elevator began its ascent.
“I can’t keep coming here,” he continued, eyes darkening. “I can’t stand seeing her face. Not for one more second.”
His reflection stared back at him, calm and respectable.
“I only married you fool because of what I stood to gain from her father,” he said, lips curling slightly. “And it worked. I’m already a judge.”
He exhaled sharply through his nose.
“I don’t need favors anymore.”
The elevator hummed softly.
“All I need now,” he finished, straightening his shoulders, “is a clean exit.”
The doors slid open.
Andrew inhaled deeply, then stepped out, the smile already back in place.
At the nurses’ station, he leaned slightly forward, resting a hand on the counter.
“Morning,” he greeted warmly.
“Morning,” the nurses replied together.
One of them rose to her feet, returning the smile professionally. “Mr. Lock, you’re here.”
“Yes, I am,” Andrew answered smoothly.
“Your wife asked for you today.”
“She did?” His eyebrows lifted slightly.
“She did,” the nurse confirmed.
“No flowers for her today?” the nurse asked lightly.
“No. No,” Andrew replied, waving a hand. “I brought flowers for her yesterday.”
“Oh, that’s true,” she nodded.
“She even called me this morning,” Andrew added casually. “And asked when I’d be showing up.”
“She did?” the nurse said again.
“Yes,” he replied. “That’s why I came.”
“Well,” the nurse smiled, sinking back into her seat, “don’t let me be the one keeping her waiting.”
“Alright,” Andrew nodded, turning away.
He moved down the expansive corridor, his footsteps measured, his expression calm. He stopped in front of Maggie’s room, lifted his hand, and knocked gently.
Then he pushed the door open.
“Hey,” he said cheerfully as he stepped inside.
Maggie’s face lit up instantly.
“Hi!” she responded, excitement bright in her eyes. “You said you’d be here— and you’re here.”