Page 74 of The Bargain

“You know, you don’t have to call him Timmy for me. Timothy works just fine. It’s already a step up from ‘the child.’”

“Opal?” He frowned, taking the seat beside me. “Is everything alright? Did you find my note?”

I nodded. “I did.”

“I’m just-”

I stood up. “Dr. Hunt said it would take at least a couple of hours. I didn’t get a chance to eat or have a coffee, so I’ll be back.”

I went downstairs and grabbed a cappuccino, as well as a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel. Even the food here showed it was a fancy place. It was a vast step up from the watered-down coffee I'd gotten from the machine at the hospital in Philly.

I took a few minutes to call Dee and update her on Timmy’s situation and my impending doom.

“He might not mind,” Dee encouraged. “And even if he does, you know you’ve got a home with me.”

“I know, Dee. That means the world to me.” Dee was my family, more than Opal had ever been.

When I finally went back to the waiting room, I was relieved to see that a couple of other people had arrived. I sat on the seat closest to the door and did my best to avoid Dean's eyes.

The minutes seemed to last hours. Every time I looked at the clock, only a few minutes had passed. I kept seeing Timmy’s little blue face, kept thinking that I was going to lose him. Either he didn't come back or Dean was going to take him away. But at least with the latter, he would live, get the best of everything.

What could I give him? Really? I sighed.Love doesn't feed you.

I looked up, finally meeting Dean’s curious eyes. Maybe Timmy would be better with him, after all.

My eyes trailed down to his phone in his hand.Well, if he could stop working for a minute.

Noticing my gaze on his phone, he quickly looked at it and then put it in his pocket.

“Opal, this is not what -”

At that moment, Jeremy entered the room and the smile on his face was enough to tell me the truth. My boy was going to be okay.

“Everything went well,” he said. “We were able to repair the two holes and replace the valve today, avoiding the need for another surgery.”

I rested a trembling hand on my lips as my eyes filled up with tears. No further surgery when the doctors in Philly had been speaking about a minimum of three?

“Thank you!” I jumped up from my seat, wanting to hug him, but stopped at the feel of Dean's eyes on us.

Jeremy nodded, crossing his arms on his chest. “You’re welcome. Also, your blood and plasma were perfect for him, which is not always the case when dealing with an uncle or aunt, so well done there. It helped him a lot.”

I froze. I hadn’t expected Dean to find out the truth like this.

“Opal?” Dean asked from beside me. “What is he talking about?” It was not a question; it was an order.

I shook my head before looking up at him. I owed him at least my name.

He frowned down at me, his eyes filled with confusion, but also apprehension about what was coming.

“Amber, my name’s Amber.” Despite the despair I felt over the likelihood of losing Timmy now, I still felt relieved. I didn’t have to hide who I was anymore. I turned to Jeremy. “Can I see him, please? It might be the last time.”

He gave me a sad smile. “Of course, but only through the glass.” He opened the door and gestured me outside.

I was not sure if he was doing it on purpose, but he walked in between Dean and I down the corridor, and despite the distance, I could still feel Dean’s glare on the back of my neck.

“Stairs or elevator?”

Spending time encased in a metal box with an angry Dean Beaumont? Not right now. I could still feel his glare on the back of my neck.

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