Page 7 of The Surgeon's Secret

“What are you drinking?” Catherine asked curiously.

“It’s soda and lime,” Lexi responded. “I like it with fresh lime, not the processed cordial stuff.”

“No alcohol?” Catherine asked, a bit surprised.

“No, I don’t drink. I used to, but it’s not for me anymore. I like being in control, and alcohol…well, it just isn’t good for me.”

“Oh,” Catherine said. “How long have you been sober?”

“Ten years,” Lexi said proudly, flashing that beautiful smile again.Wow. I wasn’t expecting that, but it’s really impressive.

“So why are we in a bar if you don’t drink?” Catherine asked, still curious.

“Just because I don’t drink doesn’t mean I don’t love bars. I love the energy. It was tough at first when I gave up alcohol. But, I found a way to make it work and hang out at bars still. I’ve been wanting to try this one since I moved here. Plus, the singer tonight is going to do some Nina Simone covers as well as her original stuff.”

“Oh, I know Nina Simone—she sang ‘Here Comes the Sun,’ right?” Catherine asked, causing Lexi to smile widely at her.

“Yes, that’s the one,” Lexi said, suddenly serious. “I love Nina Simone. She had such deep, soulful passion in her music. It’s all about love and loss. My mom used to listen to her a lot, so I’m really looking forward to this.”

Lexi’s words were filled with genuine emotion, and Catherine thought she’d listen to more Nina Simone after tonight.

“Are you close to your mom?” Catherine asked.

“Yes, very,” Lexi said. “I adore my mom. She raised me on her own and did an incredible job. She’s given me everything. Sometimes she can be a bit suffocating, though—maybe that’s one reason I moved here. But I still speak to her every day.”

“And your dad?” Catherine asked, unsure if she was prying too much. Was this too personal a question to ask after only knowing someone for two days?

“Well, that’s an interesting story, if you really want to know,” Lexi said, her expression both challenging and inviting, as if she wanted to share, but only if Catherine truly cared. And Catherinefound she did care—she really wanted to know more about this woman.

“I’d love to, if you’re comfortable sharing,” Catherine said softly.

“Well, the interesting thing is, I’ve never actually met my father. But I do know who he is—and so do you, I imagine,” Lexi said.

“Really?” Catherine’s eyes widened. “I know him?”

“My father is Dr. Benjamin Mars,” Lexi said.

“Dr. Josephine Mars’s father? The famous surgeon?”

“Yes, the very same.”

“Wow, so you’re Josephine’s sister?”

“Sort of,” Lexi said with a wry smile. “Half-sister. Same dad, different moms.”

Catherine tried to process all this new information. It was a lot.

“And does Josephine know?” Catherine asked.

“She does now,” Lexi said sharply. “I told Dr. Mars on my first day here, but before she had a chance to respond, we were pulled into that trauma emergency—the Southbridge car accident. So no, she didn’t really respond. She looked surprised, though, so I don’t think she had any idea I existed. I’m not sure if she believes me or if she thinks I’m crazy. I guess time will tell.”

“And…does your father know?”

“Oh, he’s always known,” Lexi said, her voice tinged with sadness. “He paid for everything—my education, the whole way through med school. But he never wanted to meet me. And that’s really hard. What kind of man doesn’t want to meet his own daughter, even if she was the product of an affair?”

Catherine felt a deep sadness wash over her for Lexi. She’d grown up with two loving parents and couldn’t imagine how difficult it must have been for Lexi, knowing that her father was out there but never getting to meet him.

“You knew who he was, though? I’m assuming yes, given you went into neurosurgery,” Catherine asked gently.

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