Chapter 8 Tension in the Air
The air in the exam room tightened for a beat.
Timothy's eyes curved faintly above the mask, though Elizabeth couldn't see the smile hidden there. He followed her lead, offering an offhand apology. "So you're unmarried... My mistake. Funny, my nephew's wife is also named Elizabeth. But he's not exactly a decent man."
The distaste in his tone was unmistakable.
Elizabeth wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or offended. She couldn't tell how close Timothy was to Armando, but if he thought his nephew was no good, maybe he wouldn't breathe a word about her abortion.
"Does your hospital keep patients' records confidential?" she asked.
Timothy typed the last line into the computer, printed the form, and chuckled. "With enough money, you can buy whatever medical record you want."
Elizabeth stared. "That's... against medical ethics."
He didn't bother denying it. Unfortunately, it was true. Her luck with hospitals was abysmal - first running into Armando with Sherry, now possibly facing one of Armando's relatives.
"Ms. Penrose, the procedure is tomorrow at three. Take this form and check in for admission."
Elizabeth nodded absently.
"Before surgery, make sure to empty your bladder," he added matter-of-factly.
A flush crept into her cheeks. "Thank you."
She was halfway to the door when Isla, the nurse with the syrupy voice, smiled at Timothy. "Dr. Robinson, I made you a lunchbox just for you. Want to try it?"
Without looking up from the computer, Timothy replied flatly, "That's workplace sexual harassment. I'll call the police."
Elizabeth felt a flicker of secondhand embarrassment for Isla, stunned by the bluntness. She left the exam room without a word.
Timothy's gaze lingered on Elizabeth's chart, his casual expression fading. The child inside her... He sent a message to have her background checked.
He'd met her before - two months ago, in a hotel.
That night had been a mistake. He'd been in Silverlight City with friends, drinking too much. They'd teased him about still being a virgin and promised him a "gift" in his room. When he stepped out of the shower, Elizabeth was lying naked on his bed.
Timothy wasn't a saint without desire - just someone indifferent to sex. But that night, his restraint had slipped. She'd been soft, responsive, meeting him without hesitation... from the window to the sofa, to the bathroom.
The next day, he learned the "gift" his friends had meant was a novelty toy for men. He'd been furious - Elizabeth had climbed into his bed, and had her way.
Now, two months later, she sat across from him without recognition. The timing was too neat. If he counted the days, the child could be his... or not.
He rubbed his forehead. He'd wait for the report.
Around noon, Elizabeth found a small diner for lunch. Looking up from her table, she spotted a black luxury sedan parked across the street. Two men in black suits stood guard.
The car door opened. Timothy stepped out.
Even across the road, she felt the chill in his presence - so different from the laid-back air he'd carried before. Sensing a gaze on him, he turned slightly, eyes sweeping toward the diner. Elizabeth quickly raised her menu to cover her face.
Joe Watson, stepping from the car, handed Timothy a large envelope. "Mr. Robinson, when will you return to Border Ridge City?"
"Not in a hurry," Timothy replied, taking the file.
Joe nodded, about to get into the car, when Timothy stopped him. "Find out who took the security footage from that night."
An ironic smile tugged at Timothy's mouth. So it was true - Elizabeth was Armando's wife.
"Yes, sir." Joe slid into the car and drove away.
Elizabeth's noodles arrived. She glanced back toward the street - the sedan was gone. Setting down the menu, she began to eat.
A large envelope landed on her table. She looked up to see Timothy, silent. He ordered a bowl of noodles and sat across from her.
"Ms. Penrose, you shouldn't be eating spicy food right now."
She sprinkled a touch of chili onto her noodles and gave a small, skeptical smile. "I didn't add much."
His gaze dropped to the envelope - her file. It even claimed she loved Armando.
Timothy thought of the abortion scheduled for tomorrow and frowned. This was a first for him.
Elizabeth ate slowly. Timothy finished his noodles, paid for both meals, and left.
The next day, at three p.m., Elizabeth was wheeled into the operating room.
Her hands rested over her belly. For a moment, she wanted to cry, the feeling heavy and final.
"Don't be nervous. You'll wake up and it'll be over," Timothy said as the anesthesia took hold.
When her eyes closed, Timothy turned to the circulating nurse. "Did any family come with her?"
The nurse shook her head. "No one."
Timothy's gaze lingered on her unconscious face, then her belly. He picked up the instruments, gloved hands gripping her ankle... and stopped.
"Hold on."
"Dr. Robinson?"
"I need to make a call."
He stepped out of the OR, leaning against the wall as he dialed Armando.
Armando sounded puzzled - he didn't know Timothy well. "Have you been with your wife in the past two months?" Timothy asked.
Armando hesitated. "Why?"
"Just answer. I'm filling out a hospital questionnaire."
Armando blinked. A questionnaire? Strange, but since Timothy was asking, he answered. He thought back to that night in the hotel, two months ago. "Yes."
Timothy's eyes cooled. "Do you remember the date?"
"May third."
Timothy stilled. That was the same night he'd been with Elizabeth. She couldn't have had the energy to find Armando afterward. And that night... had been her first time.
"And after May third? No more?"
"No."
Timothy arched a brow. "Your sex life isn't great."
Armando's voice was flat. "Correct."
He didn't like Elizabeth, and that night had been a fevered mistake.
Now Timothy was certain - the child was his.
It complicated things. She seemed to think that night had been with Armando. And Timothy, for all his flaws, wasn't cruel enough to shatter her marriage.
He hung up and walked back into the OR.