Chapter 4
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After an extensive consultation with my mother's attending physician, it was nearly 6 PM by the time we prepared to enter the ICU.
Alexander Hart texted: [Where are you?]
I replied instantly: [On my way home to my beloved husband!]
[Be home in ten minutes.]
Ten minutes? I'd need a teleportation device to reach Hillside Bay that quickly.
I had no choice but to call him. "Darling, I desperately want to join you for dinner with your grandmother, but I've been in a car accident and can't possibly make it."
"Send me your location."
"That's not a good idea! Our marriage is supposed to be secret, and the hospital is crowded. If we're photographed together, it might create a scandal with that actress you're always seen with."
"How considerate. Is it serious?"
"Nothing major! I can handle it. Just need to pay a bit for damages."
"I'm asking if YOU'RE hurt, damn it! Are you injured?"
Startled by his unexpected anger, I quickly soothed him: "I'm perfectly fine! Every inch of my skin belongs to my husband—it's in the contract, remember? How could I risk damaging your property? If you became disgusted with me, I'd simply die of heartbreak."
"Claire Sanders, you missed your calling as an actress. Your theatrical skills are wasted on me."
"Oh, but my performances are exclusively for my husband's benefit."
Alexander Hart seemed worn down by my saccharine act, his smile tight.
"I want to see your design draft tonight."
"Roger that—I mean, of course, darling!"
After hanging up, I turned to find Kevin Pierce standing right behind me.
I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.
He pretended not to have witnessed my embarrassing performance and gestured toward the ICU.
The protective gear covered most of our faces, leaving only our eyes visible to each other.
Something about Kevin Pierce felt oddly familiar, but I couldn't place where I might have encountered someone so striking before.
Kevin Pierce studied my face briefly before turning to my mother, his expression suddenly lighting up with recognition.
"It really is you. Seeing your mother confirms it completely. It's been a long time, Alice."
Hearing my former name sent memories crashing through me like a tidal wave, and my instinct was to flee.
For years, my father's business enemies had been hunting for my mother and me.
My father had made powerful enemies before his death.
If he hadn't secured new identities for us in advance, we would have been dead years ago.
I tried to bolt, but Kevin caught my arm.
"Don't you remember me? I'm Kivi. My mentor was your family physician, and I taught you Chinese when you were little."
Good God—that scrawny, dark-skinned Mr. Kivi was now this gorgeous specimen standing before me?
My Chinese had been terrible back then. Kevin had told me his name sounded like a fruit, so I'd called him "kivi"—my childish pronunciation of "kiwi."
The pieces finally clicked into place.
Reuniting with someone from my past life brought unexpected tears to my eyes.
"Teacher Kivi, you've changed beyond recognition!"
Kevin Pierce squeezed my hand, "I had no choice. When I couldn't find the girl I was looking for, I decided to become like her. That way, at least when I look in the mirror, I can see a trace of her."
I yanked my hand away with a shudder, and Kevin Pierce burst into laughter.
"Sorry, my sense of humor is still terrible. Don't worry, I promise I'll do everything I can for your mother."
I believed him completely. Even as a child, I'd thought this brilliant young man could accomplish anything.
He could diagnose my stomachache from secret ice cream binges with just a glance, and he taught me the most complex Shanghai dialect phrases—which I later discovered were all profanities.
After a comprehensive examination, Kevin outlined his treatment plan.
My mother would need to be transported abroad for surgery within three months.
