Aiden led Amelia to the hospital's first-floor café, a quiet spot where they could sit without too many people around. He returned with two steaming cups of coffee and a couple of croissants, setting them in front of Amelia with a comforting smile.
"I thought I warned you about Nick," Aiden said, offering her a cup.
Amelia took a sip, grateful for the warmth in her hands. "Yeah, and your warning came a little late," she said with a sarcastic chuckle. "By the time you called, he was already standing right in front of me."
Aiden winced, clearly feeling guilty. "I'm sorry. I've been buried in work. I've got patients, rounds, and I'm leading my first kidney transplant surgery next month. It's been non-stop."
Amelia waved it off. "I know how busy you are. I'm not blaming you. Honestly, it wouldn't have changed much." She paused for a moment, letting the coffee soothe her nerves. "But... please, don't tell my family that me and the twins are staying with Nick right now."
Aiden nodded, understanding the weight of that request. He couldn't fault her for the situation she was in, considering Mr. Zhao's deteriorating health. "Sometimes, when you know a patient doesn't have much time left, even as a doctor, you just want to grant their last wish. It's the least you can do when you can't heal them."
Amelia nodded slowly, appreciating his perspective. Normally, Aiden didn't defend Nick, but this time, it felt like he understood why she was playing along. "I've never really liked Mr. Zhao," Amelia admitted quietly. "He was always pushing me to have kids to carry on his legacy. But seeing him like this… I couldn't not help. I couldn't be heartless. But that doesn't mean I plan on staying married to Nick forever."
Aiden's phone buzzed on the table between them, the screen lighting up with notifications. Amelia noticed but didn't say anything. Aiden glanced at it, then casually turned it over, silencing it.
"I don't want to keep you if you're busy," Amelia offered, though she hoped he'd stay a little longer.
Aiden shook his head, giving her a reassuring smile. "It's no problem. I've got time. Right now, you're my priority."
Amelia smiled, feeling a little more at ease. There was a comfort in knowing that Aiden, her long-time friend, always had her back.
"You know," Aiden started after a pause, "maybe you need a break. How about I take you somewhere, get your mind off things? Sometimes a little change of scenery helps clear your head before making big decisions."
Amelia and Aiden walked out of the café. Without them knowing, Nick watched from a distance, unsure whether to approach or stay away.
***
Minutes later, Nick was speeding through traffic on his way home, anxiety bubbling inside him. He'd left Amelia back at the hospital after getting an urgent call from Sally. His mind raced with worry. Too bad, he couldn't reach Amelia.
"Did you call the doctor? How's Maddie doing now?" Nick asked as soon as Sally picked up his call.
"The doctor came and gave her some medicine, but Maddie refuses to take it. Her fever's still high," Sally explained, her voice tense with worry.
Nick cursed under his breath. "Alright, I'm on my way." He hung up and immediately called Harry, his assistant. "Clear my schedule for the rest of the day. Maddie's sick, I need to be with her."
Harry sounded confused but complied. "Got it, sir. I'll take care of everything."
Nick slammed the car door shut and rushed into the house, heading straight to Maddie's room. The twins' room was almost done—one side of the room a soft blue, the other a pale pink. Sally stood beside the bed, nervously biting her lip, watching over Maddie, who lay motionless under a pile of blankets.
"We were in the middle of decorating this room," Sally explained as Nick approached the bed. "Everything was fine, then she suddenly collapsed."
Nick's heart pounded in his chest as he sat on the edge of the bed, gently touching Maddie's forehead. She was burning up. He felt helpless. This wasn't the first time Maddie had been sick, but it was the first time it had felt this serious.
Suddenly, Sean spoke from the doorway, startling Nick and Sally. "Actually, she's been doing that a lot lately. You know… fainting."