CHAPTER 10
SIENNA
How on earth was I going to keep Corbin from seeing my parents?
"Think, Sienna, think."
I pull out my phone from my bag and send a message to my mother.
—Mom, who's with you at the clinic? —I press send and a few seconds later, I get her reply.
—Your dad, but he has to go soon. And Ava. —Great, Corbin didn't know her.
I write again.
—I need you and my dad to go to the café and wait for me there. Corbin has decided to take me and I don't want him to see you; he still doesn't know anything. Tell Ava to wait for me outside the clinic. I'm on my way.
—Alright. But you and I will talk, young lady.
I don't reply because I know what we need to talk about, and I know she's right. But I don't think this is the best time.
"We've arrived," says Corbin. I look up and there's Ava.
—Do you see that girl with blonde, somewhat messy hair?
—Yeah.
—Pull up next to her. She's my friend; she's been waiting for me for a while.
—But... I thought your parents would be here —he does what I ask and stops next to her.
—Yeah, but they had to leave for some things regarding... Eric.
I jump out and slam the door. When I turn to say goodbye to Corbin, I see he's gotten out too and is coming to my side.
—Thanks for bringing me. But you don't need to stay —he looks at me as if to say (are you serious?).
—Of course I'm staying, at least until I know he's okay.
I glance at Ava, who is just watching him. Yes, I know that Eric's resemblance to Corbin is astonishing and very hard to hide.
—Ava, this is Corbin. Corbin, Ava —they shake hands, but I don't have time for this, so I ignore them and walk inside.
—Where is he? —I ask Ava as we walk.
—He's in emergency, they are attending to him.
—What happened to him?
—He was at the park with your mom. Apparently, he went up the slide, and a kid tried to cut in line, and when he didn't allow it, the other kid pushed him, and Eric fell.
—Oh my God! —I stop, on the verge of panic when I feel hands squeezing my shoulders. I turn my head and see Corbin behind me.
—Everything will be alright, you'll see —he gives me one of his warm smiles to encourage me.
—Corbin, if anything happens to him… I, I will never forgive myself.
—Shhh! Don't say nonsense. He'll be fine, I promise —he says, hugging me, trying to promise me something that even he wasn't sure was true. Still, it was nice to know Corbin still had his humanity.
—What's his name?
—What?
—The boy, what's his name? —I see Ava with her eyes almost popping out. I think quickly and tell her my mother's last name.
—Eric, Eric Evans.
—Wait here —she doesn't give me a chance to react and walks up to the receptionist. I follow closely.
—Excuse me, miss, I'd like to get information about a child who was brought in a couple of minutes ago —she gives one of her dazzling smiles.
—Sure, tell me the name of the child.
—Eric Evans.
—Okay. Please wait a moment.
I watch as the girl types on the computer, and a few seconds later, she looks up again.
—The child was taken for X-rays. He has a fractured wrist, and they will have to operate on him.
—What? No, it can't be! —I say, yelling at the nurse. I know it's not her fault. Oh God, help me! It's my baby, and it hurts so much not to have been there with him at that moment. Everything inside me starts to shatter into a thousand pieces; I feel my world beginning to collapse on me.
Thick, hot tears fall down my face; I can't help but break down.
—Hey, Maddie! Calm down, little one, you're not alone. I'm here with you —Corbin hugs me to calm me.
—I... am going to the café; will you be okay? —I nod, and Ava leaves.
—Please wait in the waiting room. It's down the hall to the right.
—Thank you —he leads us both to the waiting room, where we sit together, and he doesn't stop hugging me and telling me that everything will be fine.
—Maddie, Maddie, wake up! —I begin to open my eyes and, for a moment, it's hard for me to realize where I am until I see that my head is on Corbin's lap. I sit up immediately and squeeze my eyes in an attempt to wake myself up.
—What time is it?
—It's three.
—What? Has it been two hours? That was fast! And Eric, what happened to him?
—Calm down. The doctor just came and said he's fine now; he's in room 315. We can go see him.
—Can we? —Is he not planning to leave? I'm grateful to him for not having left me in a moment like this... But this is going to be awkward when I see Eric.
We get up and walk down the long white and green hallway until we reach the elevator. We enter, and Corbin presses the number three on the panel. I frown, surprised that he knows everything.
When we arrive, he takes my hand and leads me out of the elevator, guiding me down another hallway to the left.
—It's at the end, to the right —we keep walking until we stop in front of a white door where, at the top, a plaque reads 315.
—I'd like to go in first.
—No, I want to go in and see how he is. I promise I'll leave after —I sigh and close my eyes. This is going to be awkwardly disastrous... for both of us.
I open the door and peek my head in to find a restless Eric in the bed.
—Hello, can I come in?
—Mommy, you're here! —I walk in completely and stop next to the door.
—Where else would I be if my king needs me? —I smile at him and he returns it with a cheeky grin, typical of his dad—. I brought someone who wants to see how you're doing.
—Oh, nona?
—No, sweetheart, it's not nona. It's...
—Hi, champ, I'm... —Corbin doesn't finish speaking; I turn to see what's happening. I see him frozen, looking at Eric. They're both staring at each other.
—Honey, this is Corbin, my boss —I say, walking closer to him. I kiss Eric on the forehead, and he reacts.
—Your friend?
—No...
—Yes —Corbin interrupts me, contradicting me. I shoot him a murderous look. What on earth was he doing?
—I'm your mommy's friend and also her boss. Now tell me, how's that arm doing? —he asks, leaning closer to touch the arm that's now in a cast.
—It hurts a little, but nothing that Mommy can't fix. She's an amazing doctor. She's good at taking away the pain. Right, Mommy? —both turn to look at me. I can't help but blush under Corbin's watchful gaze.
—Doctor, huh?
I shake my head.
—Of course, sweetheart. And I'm not a doctor; I'm a nurse. But Mommy will help you.
—And tell me, how did that happen? —he asks.
—A kid wanted to cut in front of me on the slide. But I didn't let him, so I pushed him back too —he says, pointing at his arm—. Mommy says I'm a bit stubborn.
Corbin looks at him for a few seconds with a serious expression and then smiles. His mood swings confuse me.
—Ha! You remind me of myself when I was little. I also didn't let anyone take what was mine —I look at him, and I don't know why, but something inside me ignites in response. I lower my head and smile faintly.
—But champ, try not to hurt yourself again. Remember there's someone who cares a lot about you and that you mean everything to her. Do you know who I'm talking about?
—Yes. Mommy. I promise I won't do anything to make her worry —he smiles, and his bright blue eyes squint adorably. I can't help but feel touched, and a few tears escape me.
—Why are you crying, Mommy?
—Out of happiness, son. I'm glad you're okay —I kiss him again on the forehead.
At that moment, Corbin's phone rings.
—Sorry, if you'll excuse me, I have to go.
—Will I see you again?
—For sure —he smiles at him, leans in, and ruffles his hair, leaving it messy.
—See you, Eric —he turns around and leaves the room.
—Sweetheart, I'll be right back —Eric nods, and I run out to catch up with him.
—Corbin, wait! —he turns and waits for me halfway.
—What's up?
—Nothing, I just wanted to thank you for everything.
—It's nothing, really.
—I also wanted to tell you that, given the circumstances... I won't be coming back to work. Tomorrow, as soon as Eric is discharged, I'll deliver my resignation letter.
Corbin frowns, looks at me for a few seconds, then turns around and walks away without saying anything. I don't know what I expected from him, but this was definitely not the reaction I thought he would give me.