Chapter 30 – Another Seed of Doubt
Victor’s POV
“Wait, what?” Those were the only words I could think of to ask. I was in such shock that I wasn’t sure that I even heard the doctor correctly.
Normally, the patient’s family are thrilled to hear that their loved one is completely fine and healthy.” Dr. Roberts chuckled.
I stood in the hallway dumbfounded as the doctor repeated his diagnosis.
The doctor’s words repeated in my mind like a broken record, but I was still no closer to understanding them completely.
Lily was fine and healthy? How could that be?
When Lily called a few days ago while I was on my trip with Emelia, she told me that her legs felt much weaker that day. Because of that, she fell down the stairs and ended up hurting her leg badly.
It was why I left Emelia in my childhood city of Blasdell, even though I didn’t want to. I couldn’t just leave Lily after what had happened to her.
On the drive to the city of Austin, where the hospital that Lily was staying at was located, guilt hijacked my senses. It made me regret ever leaving to go on that trip with Emelia. If I had been there, none of this would’ve happened….
But now, to hear that the doctor said Lily was completely fine? I had no idea what to think.
“Sir?” Dr. Roberts placed a hand on my shoulder. “Is everything alright?”
“O–oh, yes.” I shook my head free of the conflicting thoughts and feelings that began to rise. “It truly is a relief to hear that Lily is okay. I’m sorry, I just didn’t think I was going to hear good news.”
The doctor’s eyebrows raised slightly. “Oh? How come?”
“Lily had an accident when she was younger. And while it’s a miracle she can walk, I’ve just been overly concerned because of the amount of pain she says she’s been in.”
The doctor nodded his head and flipped through his papers. “I do see documentation about an accident she had when she was young. But seeing as how that happened so far back, that shouldn’t be affecting her to this day. Did something happen recently to her? I have no other medical encounters recorded on her chart.”
That sparked my interest.
I thought about the recent hospital visit that pulled me away from my trip at Blasdell. When Lily called me initially, she was crying almost uncontrollably, and told me that the pain was upbearable. Driven by guilt and panic, I rushed over as soon as I could.
But when I arrived at the hospital, Lily’s behaviour was… odd. She almost seemed surprised that I showed up as quickly as I had. Even when I asked her what happened, she didn’t give me a lot of details other than her falling.
Although, seeing as how her leg had been bandaged and she looked better, I didn’t press it any further.
Surely, that hospital encounter should’ve been recorded, right?
I didn’t want to ask the doctor any more questions. Now my suspicions were rising.
“You may have to ask her if something’s happened that she may not be telling you about.” Dr. Roberts suggested. Some patients can be victims of abuse. And while there are no indications that point to that, Miss Lily seems to
⚫25 BONUS
Chapter 30 – Another Seed of Dou
trust you. Try talking to her.”
I nodded my head at the doctor’s words. “Thank you, I’ll try doing so.”
“Of course. Let me or the nurses know if you need anything else. We’ll start working on the paperwork for her immediate discharge.”
As I walked back into Lily’s room feeling conflicted, I found her sitting up and wide awake.
Once she saw me, she immediately burst into tears. “Oh, Victor! I got so worried that you left. Have you seen the doctor? Did he say anything about my x–rays?”
“Dr. Roberts said everything was fine.” I gave her a reassuring smile. “He said your x–rays came back perfectly normal, and that luckily, there’s nothing wrong with your legs.”
As soon as I explained the doctor’s diagnosis to Lily, her body immediately went stiff. The tears were gone and her anxiousness was soon replaced with anger and discontent.
“He’s lying!” Lily started to yell. “Is the doctor stupid?! How could he say that my leg is fine even though it hurts so much! I can hardly stand to walk on it, and he’s saying it’s fine?!”
1 kept a neutral expression on my face, even though the feelings of suspicion began to rise even more.
Wasn’t she the one that told me all she needed was some rest when I drove her here? How is it all of a sudden causing her so much pain?
Was there a possibility that Dr. Roberts’s diagnosis was wrong?
Or…. had Lily been lying to me this entire time?
My body went instantly cold at the thought. I didn’t think she was capable of being so conniving.
Still, I couldn’t stop the seed of doubt that planted itself in my mind. As the seconds ticked away, it began to sprout, while its roots took place.
I patted Lily on the shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. “Look, we’ll figure it out, okay? If the doctor says you’re fine, then that’s still good news. At least now, I can take you home to get some rest.”
Lily’s expression was somewhat hard to read, but after some time, she’d relented. “I guess…. Just… Please don’t leave me in case something happens, okay?”
“I still have work that I have to get back to, but I’ll make sure you get settled when we get home. But in the meantime, rest here. I need to make a quick call to the office.”
Without looking back at Lily, I left her room and went to stand outside the hospital. Once I took out my phone, I dialed my secretary’s number immediately.
It picked up after the first ring.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Russo.” Rosalie greeted me warmly. What can I do for you today?”
“I need you to try and gain a copy of Lily Marino’s medical history records. Once you’ve done that, keep them until we can schedule a meeting. This needs to be done quietly.”
