Page 43 of The Doctor's Promise
“No, I’ll meet him, explain the situation. He may feel like it would be a conflict of interest, but I owe him a coffee and an explanation at the very least.”
“Good on you, sweetie.”
Noemi calledDrew Ballentine back and arrange to meet him the next day. “I think there’s something you ought to know, Drew.”
“I will look forward to seeing you, Noemi.”
Rafa sat backin his chair, his good mood from earlier gone. “Zani… I’m trying here. But if you’re just going to crap on every suggestion I have…”
Zani shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Well, if you weren’t quite so patronizing…”
“Grow up.” Rafa had had enough and snapped at his brother. “You think I got where I am by just trading on the fact I’m Dad’s son? No. It took hard work to convince the Board of Trustees and our partners that I knew what I was talking about. I’ve grown the business every year since I took over, and it was damn hard work.” He gazed at his brother, his eyes cold. “Even when Tomi was sick, I still worked while you were partying around Europe, shoving God knows what up your nose, and sticking your dick into everything.”
Zani got up. “Yeah well, that’s going to change now.”
“Why? You run out of money?” Rafa already knew the answer to that and knew it was cruel to ask, but Zani had gotten on his last nerve this morning. Zani wanted to start at the top of the pile, not put in the work that Rafa had. Zani wanted everything handed to him on a silver platter.
Not going to happen. Rafa sighed and threw his pen down on the desk. “Look, Zani, you know my thoughts. You’re not without talent—you could be invaluable, especially when it comes to schmoozing the clients. But that would mean travelling a lot back to Europe. You seem to not want to make an effort to do that.”
“It’s not that I—” Zani broke off. He stared out of the window. “I can’t go back, is all.”
“Why? Why not?”
Zani just shook his head, and Rafa had finally had enough. “We’re not getting anywhere,” he said, “and I have actual work to do. I’ll see you at home later, Zani.”
Rafa was glad Zani left without arguing, but he couldn’t shake the irritation he felt. Zani’s behavior was nothing short of a spoiled rich boy, and that wasn’t going to fly anymore.
Rafa sighed and rubbed his eyes, feeling a little overwhelmed by life. About to be a father of twins by his dead lover’s doctor? Did he really have the right to judge Zani on his willful behavior? No. Totally different situation, he told himself. He loved Noemi and was overjoyed about the babies. Bepi, too, would love siblings.
There was one thing he still had to do, however, and he picked up the telephone now. “Mom? Hey, Mom, how are you? Good. Listen… I have something to tell you and Dad and it’s pretty, well…big. Life changing. I don’t suppose you and Dad are free for dinner later this week, are you? Good, I’ll book a restaurant—and Mom? I’m bringing someone with me. I’ll tell you more later…”
Noemi had also decidedto go visit her parents and talk to them. She needed to tell someone about the pregnancy, and when she got to her parents’ house and found her mother alone, she was relieved. Marian, always the gracious host, fussed around her adoptive daughter as Noemi sat, plucking up the courage to tell her the news.
“Mom?”
Marian Castor smiled at her daughter. “Yes, sweetie?”
“I’m pregnant.”
Marian sat down with a thump, shocked. For a second, she couldn’t speak, and Noemi waited, her heart thumping. Finally, Marian took her hand. “You can’t tell Leo. Not yet.”
“I know.” Even though Noemi had been expecting that answer, she was still filled with dismay. “Mom… it’s twins.”
Despite her shock, Marian beamed. “Oh, how wonderful, Noe. I’m assuming Rafael…?”
Noemi nodded. “Good,” Marian said approvingly, “he’s a good man.”
They sat in silence for a few moments, Marian stroking her daughter’s hand. Noe looked at her mother. “Do you think she’ll ever be ready to hear about the twins?”
Marian sighed. “Sweetheart… how do you get over something like that? Jack? He was her everything.” She squeezed Noemi’s hand. “I’ve never told you this, but the year before we adopted you, I had a miscarriage. A late one, almost full term. It was a girl, and I had to give birth to her. We held her for hours before they took her away. She was so perfect; we could hardly believe she wasn’t just sleeping.”
“Oh, Momma, I’m so sorry.” Noemi’s eyes filled with tears. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“We didn’t tell either of you. Leo was too young to understand. I don’t even think she remembers I was pregnant, to be honest. We didn’t explain things to children the way they do now. We just told Leo she was getting a baby sister. And she did. God, Noe, the moment they told us you were ours…”
Noemi burst into tears, and her mother wrapped her arms around her. “Momma, I’m so lucky to have you as parents. So, so lucky. I wish I could do something to help ease the pain for all of you. I can’t bear it…. Poor Jack. Poor Leo.”
Marian’s eyes were wet, too, as she released Noemi. “I know. Listen… she’ll obviously have to be told when you start to show. Until then, how about we keep it our secret?”
