Page 27 of The Doctor's Twins

This time, when he touched me, I felt a spark. Bloody drugs.

* * *

I called my parents a few days later. They were relieved to hear from me, even though I had to share the bad news about losing the baby with them.

“I’m so sorry, my darling,” Mom said.

“Yes. Anything we can do to help, princess?” Dad asked. “Do you need money?”

“I’m okay for now, thank you, Dad. Alyssa opened an account in her name and I’m using it.”

“Please, sweetheart, don’t be too proud to ask for help.”

“I won’t be, Dad. Thank you. I’ll be back on my feet in no time. As a matter of fact, I’ve been offered a residency position at the hospital where I had the procedure done. I’m sure I’ll be just fine financially once I start.”

“That was quick,” Mom said.

“I know. I’m looking forward to it. It will be good for me to focus on my career again.”

“I agree,” Dad said. “In the meantime, send me your bank account details so I can put in a little buffer. Just in case. I’m not taking no for an answer, Peyton.”

“Thanks, Dad. I’ll pay you back.”

“No rush. Be safe, my princess.”

A thought suddenly occurred to me.

“Mateo hasn’t contacted you, has he?”

“He’d better not if he knows what’s good for him!” Dad thundered into the phone.

“Calm down, Frank,” Mom cautioned him. “You know your blood pressure will shoot through the roof.”

“Don’t fuss, Millie. I’m fine.”

“Mom’s right, Dad. Don’t let that monster do any more harm to this family.”

We spoke for a while longer before I hung up. It was time to call Ben and accept his job offer. I called his cell number and waited while it rang. I wasn’t sure why I was nervous. Must have been because I hadn’t worked in a while, and I guessed that all doctors were obsessed with being perfect at their jobs.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Ben. It’s Peyton.”

“Hi, Peyton. I was hoping you’d call.”

“I’ve given your offer some thought, and I accept. If the vacancy is still open, that is.”

“Of course. That’s great. Come to my office tomorrow morning. I’ll ask Mandy to call you to confirm the time. We’ll run through the details then.”

“Thank you, Ben.”

“You’re welcome. Oh, how are you feeling?”

“A little tender in the giblets, but I’ll be fine.”

“You’re a strong woman, Dr. Peyton Taylor,” he said.

“I don’t know about that, but I’m trying.”

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