Chapter 8
Months passed. My health had almost fully recovered, and I threw myself into work related to medical projects, leveraging my dad’s influence to attend various social events.
Before long, I had made a name for myself in this circle. Even St. Luke’s Medical Center, where Samuel worked, reached out to collaborate, hoping to purchase advanced medical equipment.
One day, I was at a dinner meeting with representatives from several hospitals. Dr. Mason Wright, my former attending physician, now a distinguished doctor himself, raised a glass and smiled. “Ms. Bennett, it’s been only a few months, but you’re almost unrecognizable. The change is impressive.”
I tilted my head and smiled shyly. “Maybe it’s just aging. After having a baby, my skin’s not what it used to be.”
He shook his head. “No, it’s confidence. By the way, how’s little Peanut? Some of the nurses still ask about him.”
I laughed and pulled out my phone to show him photos. Ever since he was born, my gallery was full of his pictures. At first, he looked so much like Samuel that it annoyed me. But now, as he grew, he began to resemble my side of the family.
As we flipped through the photos, neither of us noticed someone approaching from behind. Samuel leaned in to see my phone screen.
Unaware of him, I continued scrolling. Mason laughed when he saw a particular picture. “Is that your
boyfriend?”
I blushed. It was too early to call him that–more like someone I was getting to know. He was my friend’s older brother, someone I’d known before. Recently, we’d been working on a medical project together, as he specialized in neurosurgery.
“He looks familiar…”
After a moment of realization, Mason’s eyes lit up. “Isn’t he the brilliant neurosurgeon with autism?”
At the mention of autism, heads turned.
I nodded with a smile. “He has high–functioning autism, but he’s doing much better now.”
Then a mocking voice chimed in behind me. “So, you left me and started dating someone with autism? You never fail to surprise me, Morgan.”
I turned around–it was Samuel. I’d heard his career was in shambles; most of his surgeries had been reassigned to Dr. Wright, and a recent botched operation nearly led to a major hemorrhage. He’d been sidelined by the hospital, restricted to clinic duties. I didn’t expect to see him
here.
He confidently sat down beside me, smirking.
“This seat isn’t yours,” I said.
With a scoff, he replied, “Who doesn’t know that St. Luke’s is your biggest client? If anyone should sit here, it’s me.”
“Morgan, don’t play these games with me. I know you’ve been asking about me. Just because Lila and I are having issues doesn’t mean I’ll come running back to you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Get up.”
He grabbed my hand, holding it tightly. “Enough. My patience is wearing thin.”
Just then, Dr. Wright and his wife entered. Seeing Samuel, Dr. Wright’s brow furrowed. “Weren’t you denied entry? What are you doing here?”
Samuel’s face darkened, but he defiantly wrapped an arm around me. “The hospital might’ve refused, but my ex–wife wouldn’t. Right, Morgan?”
I looked at him, incredulous. “Yes, I wouldn’t refuse to have you escorted out. Security!”
Security promptly intervened, and Samuel was dragged away, disbelief in his eyes. “Morgan, you’ll regret this!”
I ignored him. As I settled back into my chair, Mrs. Wright handed me a business card.
“Thank you, Ms. Bennett, for speaking so highly of my husband to his superiors. He’s had so many opportunities because of you. I own a beauty spa–please, feel free to come anytime, free of charge.”
I accepted with a smile, only just realizing my father had spoken on Dr. Wright’s behalf.
After Samuel left, the meeting continued smoothly, and we finalized our agreement. Later, I planned to have drinks with my friends. As we left the hotel, I saw Lila Whitmore.
