Page 61 of BillionHeir
He taps out a message on his phone and mine vibrates with a notification.
“Now you have my number if you need anything.”
I smile sadly. There is no way that I am ever going to ask him for help. Our relationship is over now. I couldn’t bear asking him for a favor after everything that has happened between us.
The car slows to a stop outside a nondescript gray building. If you weren’t from here, you might not know what this place is, which is what I am banking on right now.
I haven’t told Maxwell about my mother, and I don’t intend to. I don’t want his pity or dutiful kindness. I would rather we part this way instead.
“This is me,” I say quietly, gathering my purse as the driver puts the SUV in park and gets out to help with my luggage.
“I wish we had more time.”
Maxwell looks out the window at the building, but from here, there is no clue that we are in front of a hospital. I am grateful that the driver pulled up here and not in front of A&E.
“Thank you for . . .” I pause searching for the right word. This could be the last time I talk to him for all I know. “Everything.”
Maxwell gives me a look like he wants to respond, but before he can, I open my door and step out of the vehicle to promptly end any discussion that might have taken place.
Of course that isn’t the end of it.
I try to push the door closed behind me, but he catches it with his hand. He climbs out after me and follows me around to the back of the SUV where the driver has left my suitcase waiting for me.
Maxwell frowns in frustration, no doubt curious about where we are and what we are doing here. It is obvious he wants to ask, but good manners keep him from prying.
“Well, I suppose this is goodbye, isn’t it?” I say finally.
Maxwell’s frown deepens. He closes the distance between us and pulls me in for a brief hug, then releases me and walks back to his door.
“This is not goodbye,” he says just before the door closes.
I stand there alone on the sidewalk, watching as the driver pulls away. I wait until they are out of sight before reaching up and wiping the tears that are streaming down my face.
I turn and face the hospital, taking a deep breath to balance and center myself. I need to be strong for my mum. No more of this crying-over-a-man business.
First, I find the loo and clean myself up. I wash my hands and face, then run my fingers through my hair a bit. I don’t want her to think that I am too tired to take care of her.
Once I am presentable, I go to the reception desk in search of the woman I love more than anyone else in the world.
* * *
“I am so glad you have been here with me today.”
My mother gives me a warm smile from her hospital bed. She is happy to see me, but there is no hiding the exhaustion written all over her face. It kills me to see her this way.
“There is nowhere I would rather be,” I answer, honestly.
“I am sorry you came all this way just to be stuck here with me in this place.” She rolls her eyes at her predicament, bringing some levity to the situation.
“Don’t worry about it, mum. I will check into my hotel when visiting hours are over. Until then, I don’t mind sitting here with you. You should try to rest while you can.”
“Who is the mother here?” she asks playfully, even through her fatigue.
“I think you forget, my dear mother, that this is what I do.”
“Do you boss all of your patients like this?” she asks behind a yawn, still trying to fight me even as she struggles to hold her eyes open.
I smile politely at her cheeky jab, but my mind immediately goes to my most recent and most obstinate patient ever. I try to push all thoughts of Maxwell to the back of my mind as I stand from my seat.
