If it weren''t for the faint rise and fall of her chest and the asional flutter of her eyelids, you''d almost think the woman in the bed was already gone.
"How has my aunt''s recovery beentely?" Victoria asked the private nurse she''d hired, but she didn''t expect a miracle and didn''t get one either.
Emily-her mother''s younger sister, and the only family Victoria had left in the world-had been in aa ever since the year her mother died, when a devastating car ident left her in a persistent vegetative state.
Emily had barely survived. Victoria had begged McNeil to arrange for her aunt to stay here, in this quiet room, cared for by professionals. It was probably the only time in her life she''d ever asked McNeil for anything.
"Ms. Turner is the same as always," the nurse replied gently. "No response to anything."
"I see."
Victoria wasn''t surprised. Everyone told her that Emily would likely never wake up again, that it would be kinder to let her go than to keep her tethered to this half- life. Victoria understood, but her heart wouldn''t let her give up. As long as she could sit here beside her aunt, it almost felt like her mother was still in the world.
"Aunt Emily, I went to see my father-" She hesitated, correcting herself. "I mean, I went to see Simms."
Victoria recounted the recent events, speaking softly into the quiet room.
"He''s getting married. To Yulia. They''ve been together for a long time, apparently."
Her eyes stung as she looked at Emily''s unmoving face. For a moment, Victoria could have sworn she saw her aunt''s eyes flicker, as if they shifted ever so slightly. But when she leaned in and looked closer, there was nothing-no movement at all. Just her imagination, she told herself. After all these years, she''d consulted every specialist she could find, both at home and abroad, but there''d never been any hope.
All she could do now was wait and pray.
"Aunt Emily, I need to get back to work. I''lle visit again soon."
With a reluctant nce back, Victoria finally left the room.
When she returned to the office, Curtis was already there.
"Mr. Garcia," she greeted him with easy familiarity, not noticing the look of distress that flickered across his face when he saw her.
Settling at her desk, Victoria opened herptop and dove into her work. A momentter, a steaming cup of coffee appeared on her desk.
"Thank you," she said automatically, expecting it was from Curtis''s assistant. But when she looked up, it was Curtis himself standing there.
"Mr. Garcia, is there something you need?” Her tone was calm, almost indifferent; the fact that her boss had brought her coffee didn''t faze her at all.
"You... you''re married?" Curtis blurted out, the question clearly weighing on him sincest night.
"Yes," Victoria replied without hesitation. Her honesty seemed to throw Curtis off bnce.
"I thought you were single," he admitted, unable to keep his feelings to himself any longer.
Now Victoria finally sensed something was off. Curtis''s reaction was a little too personal for a boss talking to his employee.
"No. I''ve been married for six years."
Curtis
on a sha@s if he''d just bitten down maybe he''d have stood
of ss. If she''d only had
a chance. But six years? He was hopelesslyte.
Just then, Ailie walked in and caught sight of Curtis''s devastated expression, making her tense up immediately.
Thankfully, Curtis''s phone rang at that moment. McNeil''s voice came through, loud enough for Victoria to hear every word.
"Dinner''s on me tonight. You helped Violet out, and that means you helped me too. Let''s meet at K Bar. I''ve invited Marcus and Isaac."
Victoria heard the entire conversation clearly.
"I keep hearing your assistant is bothpetent and beautiful. I''m
curious what kind of woman could
catch your eye? Bring her along
tonight and let Marcus and Isaac
size her up."
Curtis shot an awkward nce at Victoria, but she turned away, pretending not to
have heard a thing.