Page 25 of Devour
He seems convinced by the excuse and shifts the car into drive. The engine hums to life, and we pull away from the curb. The taxi stops in front of the hospital, I get out saying thank you as I shut the door,
I’m heading to Noah’s ward when I catch a vivid glimpse of Dr. Eli in the garden. I pause. He has his broad back to me, so I call out to him as I walk closer.
He turns, giving me one of his wide, familiar smiles I can’t help but smile back.
He’s holding the handle of Noah’s wheelchair. As he turns it toward me, Noah lights up.
“Mum!” he calls out, his voice full of joy.
I reach down to give him a hug, holding his cheeks as I plaster kisses all over his face.
“How’s my baby doing?”
“I’m okay, Mum,” he says with a smile.
“I can see that.”
Dr. Eli speaks up beside him. “He’s been doing much better today, so I thought some fresh air would lift his spirits.”
“You haven’t come to visit him,” Dr. Eli says gently.
“Mum’s been busy—she started a new job,” Noah answered for me.
I stand up, brushing my palms on my thighs. “Yes, I got a new job. But that shouldn’t be an excuse not to come see you.”
“Congratulations on the job,” Dr. Eli says with a kind smile.
“Thank you.”
“Oh… that reminds me.” He reaches into the pocket of his white coat and pulls out a folded card.
“My sister Ruby, do you remember her?”
“Yes, I do. Your twin sister,” I say, teasing him. “You talk about her every chance you get.”
He chuckles. “She’s getting married.”
I glance at the card in his hand.
“Next month,” he adds with a proud smile. “I was hoping you could attend… maybe as my plus one?”
I catch the way Noah glances between the two of us—curious, too observant for his age. Dr. Eli is looking at me like it’s more than just a wedding invitation, it’s a question. A hope. He’s waiting for my answer, and I can already see the wheels turning in Noah’s head.
Before my son can say something adorably embarrassing, I reach out and take the card from his hand. “I’ll try,” I say softly.
Dr Eli smiles clearly pleased.
“Alright then. I’ll leave you two, but don’t let him stay out too long, okay?”
“Got it,” I nod.
I watch him leave, and I can’t help but think what it would feel like just once to choose something normal. Something good. To be with someone good.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Luca
The days after the shootout were messy, but my men cleaned up the mess. The news? Buried under some fake scandal, a perfectly timed political distraction cooked up to keep noses out of my business. Witnesses? Taken care of. Paid off or made to disappear, no questions asked.
