Page 82 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

NOW

We walked up to the receptionist in the lobby. She put her food aside when she saw us and chewed the food in her mouth quickly. She seemed embarrassed as she looked up at us. She grabbed a paper napkin and wiped her mouth clean.

“Lo siento por eso. Buenos días. En que puedo ayudarlos?” she asked with a broad smile. Her glasses looked big for her small face.

“Tenemos cita a las diez con la Doctora Mendoza,” I said.

“Okay,” she mumbled, typing on her keyboard as she stared at her computer screen.

She gestured to the seats at the waiting area, saying, “Llegas trienta minutos antes. Por favor toma asiento. Te avisore cuando puedas Doctora Mendoza.”

“Gracias.” I smiled.

We walked to the seats in the corner and sat down.

“I feel like throwing up. I’m so nervous.” I laughed humorlessly to ease the tightness in my chest.

Tristan took my sweaty palm and threaded his long fingers through mine. I looked at him, and his lips curved up softly at me.

“She will love you,” he whispered, and I nodded, desperate for his words to be true.

A plump lady, looking to be five-two, walked past us with a little girl who was holding a small doll in her arm. I sat up in my seat, eyes glued on them. I watched them as they walked to the receptionist. With the bright blonde hair and her face, my gut told me it was her even though it’d been two years since I’d last seen her. I was frozen for a second as I stared at her. She looked adorable in her black overall shorts and pink shirt. Her blonde hair was styled in neat pigtails, adorned with small purple ribbons. I looked beside me at Tristan, but he was busy on his phone.

I wasn’t sure if it was her. It wasn’t a coincidence that someone had walked in with a little girl when it was almost time for our appointment. It was her. It was definitely Kayla. I just knew.

“Tristan,” I called, tapping him to get his attention.

“Yeah?” he replied, looking at me.

“That’s her,” I said, pointing to the lady, who picked Kayla up from the floor and headed to the direction the receptionist had just shown her.

“That’s Kayla,” I said, bursting in excitement.

“That’s our little girl?” he asked, looking at me as if he needed more confirmation.

“Yes.” I nodded frantically.

He tried to stand up, but I stopped him, and he gave me a questioning look.

“We have to meet with Dr. Mendoza first. Just be a little patient,” I said, holding his hand.

We both watched them disappear down the hallway into another room. I could feel the joy and desperation from Tristan.

“I wish I could control time right now,” he groaned, throwing his head back.

“Twenty minutes to go,” I told him.

“That doesn’t make me feel better, Chloe.” He frowned at me.

“Sulking won’t help either.” I nudged him in the ribs with my elbow.

He laughed softly and put one arm around me.

My heart pumped faster when the receptionist told us Dr. Mendoza was ready to see us. We walked to her office and met her. She was searching for something on the bookshelf at the corner.

“Hola. Welcome,” she said and left her search. “Please follow me,” she said.

She walked out of the room, and we trailed behind her.

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