Chapter 93

Chapter 93
The delightful time I spent with my best friend had sadly come to an end.

“See you when I see you,” Samantha said, waving a hand with a wide smile on her lips.

"Of course," I replied, waving back at her.

Sam made her way back to the Front Office desk, where she was diligently training a new receptionist. I, on the other hand, stepped into the elevator that would whisk me away to my office on the top floor of the hotel.

Lunch was lovely, but now it was back to the office to grind through my never-ending workload.

The thought of the mountain of work that awaited me made me sigh.

Who knows how many hours it would take to sift through the emails, reports, and tasks that had piled up during my absence? I had to finish it all today.

I returned to my desk, surrounded by stacks of papers and files. I believe I can finish them before 7:00 pm..

The hours slipped by in a haze.

I glanced at the clock, realizing that Cleo would be arriving soon.

The door to my office swung open, and Sapphire strode inside, “Liz… I have news for you…It's regarding Flintstone Hospital.”

"What about it?”

"Flintstone Hospital had been forced to close down."

My jaw dropped in shock. I never would have guessed that justice would be served for me earlier than expected. Suddenly, something hit me, and I began to wonder if my family had something to do with this.

“That's… so… unexpected.” I muttered.

"It’s all over the news.” Sapphire continued. “They found out that the administrators were embezzling funds and cutting corners on patient care. Not only that, but evidence resurfaced proving the hospital had been engaging in bribery and malpractice for years. It’s a complete scandal!”

“I'm glad that they ran out of business. They won't have any more victims like me.”

Sapphire nodded solemnly. “Justice was finally served.”

—

Around the promised time, Crimson arrived, his dark hair tousled by the wind. He opened the door and Cleo bounded out of the car, her curly blonde hair bouncing as she skipped towards the hotel entrance.

"Mommy! I missed you so much!" Cleo giggled as I lifted her into my arms.

"I missed you too, sweetie," I replied, kissing her on the cheek.

We entered the hotel, Crimson followed beside me while carrying Cleo's small suitcase.

Cleo chatted excitedly about her day. I listened intently, hanging on her every word as we made our way to the elevator that would take us up to the presidential suite.

When we reached the presidential suite, Cleo asked. "Mommy, why can't Daddy stay here with us?"

I could have easily told a lie, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I knew we needed to be honest with her and explain the situation. She was a smart child and would be able to understand.

"Sweetheart, your dad and I aren't together anymore, so he can't stay here. We split up a while back, and we're only doing this for your sake.”

Cleo gently placed her hands on my cheeks, framing them as she stared into my eyes. "But Mommy, it doesn't mean that you and Dad can't be together again.”

I gulped back the lump forming in my throat. It was challenging to find the right words to explain this to her in a way she could grasp, but I knew I had to try for her sake.

I gently brushed my fingers through her smooth blonde hair as I tried to explain the situation to her. "Some things just aren't meant to be, sweetheart. Like my relationship with your father.”

Cleo's tiny voice quivered, "Mommy, is it my fault the two of you can't be together?"

My heart broke into a thousand pieces. How could this child think that she was to blame for our failed relationship?

I gathered her into my arms, holding her tight.

"Oh, sweetie, no, no, no. It's not your fault at all. Mommy and Daddy's relationship is between us adults, and it has nothing to do with you..”

My eyes landed on Crimson by accident, and I witnessed a flicker of guilt and regret in his eyes. But before I could say anything, he took a step forward and knelt down beside us.

"Cleo, none of this is your fault, okay? We just couldn't make things work between us, but that doesn't change how much we both love you.”

The child sniffled, her small hands clutching onto my shirt. "But I want us to be a family again, Mommy."

"We may not fit the mold of a traditional family, sweetheart, but we are still a family," I told her.

The child thought about this for a moment. “So even if you don’t live in the same house, you can still be a family if you care about each other and support one another?”

I nodded.

“Well then since you two still care about each other, there might be a chance that my Daddy and Mommy will reconcile in the future. I'll pray for it every night to happen,” Cleo said with hopeful eyes.

My heart ached for her as she clung to this possibility, knowing deep down that it seemed like an impossible dream.

Crimson stood and tousled the child's hair, then placed a kiss on her temples. "Daddy's leaving now. I'll see you in a few days.”

"Take care, Daddy."

"I will," Crimson smiled at the child, though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. “Just be good to your mother and try not to cause any trouble.”

“I will be good.”

Crimson looked at me and said, "I will be leaving, Liz. Please take care of our daughter.”

"I will."

With a final wave, he left the room, leaving Cleo and me in a moment of silence. I hugged my daughter close when her father was gone.

“What's wrong, Mommy?” Cleo asked, watching my face with unblinking eyes.

"I feel a bit sad, sweetie."

"Why, Mommy?" she asked, curiosity filling her eyes. "Should I go after Daddy and ask him to stay with us?”

“Oh, no,” I replied firmly, rising to my feet. “Daddy has important things to take care of.”

"Okay, Mommy. I was thinking about calling Daddy because you seem so sad, and I thought if he came back, you'd be happy again. But since you say I don't need to call him, I won't insist on it," Cleo said maturely.

"Thank you, sweetie. I'm just a little bit sad because things are complicated right now. It will go away, so don't worry about me.”

“I'll be here for you until the sadness goes away.”

“Thank you, sweetie. You always know how to make me feel better.”

“Because you're my Mommy. I only want what is best for you.”