"Doc," they both said in unison, stepping toward the doctor with their faces marked by a hint of concern.
As the doctor faced them, the air was thick with anticipation.
The two of them stood tall, their eyes fixed on the woman, waiting for her to speak. The moment stretched on, and with a deep breath, she finally broke the silence.
"Mr. Tryson, you've booked an appointment with Dr. Moore, haven't you?" she asked, her voice sharp and direct.
A flicker of confusion crossed Tryson's face, but he nodded slowly.
"Yes, I've booked an appointment, but..." Tryson began, raising his hand and gesturing towards the door, clearly expecting something more from her.
"Mr. Tryson," she cut him off, her tone firm but measured. "I strongly recommend that you ensure she attends these appointments."
Both Tryson and Jude's expressions shifted into matching frowns. They exchanged a brief glance before turning their attention back to the doctor, silently bracing for what might come next.
"Hm, Doc, what do you mean by that?" Jude was the first to speak, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"The lady's perfectly fine," the doctor reassured them, and in that moment, Tryson couldn't help but feel a small wave of relief wash over him.
"What... what about the baby?" Tryson stammered, his voice shaky with concern.
"Mr. Tryson, the baby's alright and doing just fine," the doctor replied calmly.
"What happened to her was a minor issue—something that's actually pretty common for some women. The baby was just getting settled into position in her womb, and a little blood came out. It's not unusual, though it doesn't happen to every woman. It's really nothing to worry about."
She paused, looking at both of them. "But like I said, I strongly recommend that you keep up with her appointments with Dr. Moore, just to be sure about both the baby's health and hers. She's probably been worried about the baby, after all."
Tryson nodded, taking in the doctor's words. He felt a sense of reassurance but still couldn't shake the lingering concern.
"Definitely, Doc, we'll do as you've advised," Jude replied, nodding as the doctor acknowledged his words.
"So, Dr. Angel, can I see her now?" Tryson asked, his voice eager, and without missing a beat, the doctor nodded.
"Yes, you can. I'm also thinking she should stay at the hospital for a few days, just to be safe. But since you're familiar with Dr. Moore, he can oversee her care and make sure everything is alright."
Tryson's face lit up with relief, and without hesitation, he walked toward the room, leaving Jude behind with the doctor.
Jude, still processing the conversation, turned to thank the doctor.
Then, he followed after Tryson, stepping into the room.
As he watched Tryson interact with the woman lying in bed, he saw a side of his friend he hadn't expected—softer, more vulnerable—something he hadn't seen in a long time.
Even with someone other than Riley. The sight caught him off guard, making him pause for a moment before walking further into the room.
The moment Tryson stepped into the room, his gaze immediately fell on the nurses who were attending to Angel.
They moved swiftly, securing various pieces of medical equipment on her body, their movements precise and efficient.
Angel, her eyes barely open, looked at the ceiling as if struggling to stay awake, her face contorted slightly in discomfort. A faint trace of worry flickered across her features.
"Angel," Tryson whispered softly, his voice gentle as he walked toward her, his steps slow and deliberate.
Her eyes, heavy with exhaustion, focused on him as he drew closer. Her lips parted slightly as she muttered his name in return.
"Tryson," Angel's voice was weak, barely above a whisper, but there was a note of relief in it as she watched him approach.
He reached out and took her hand, which lay limply by her side.
Without a second thought, he brought it to his lips and kissed the back of her hand, his eyes fluttering shut as he did.
For a moment, the world around him seemed to fade away as he tried to absorb the relief that flooded his chest, the weight of his worry lifting just a little.
"Tryson," Angel called out again, her voice now hoarse, as if the strain of her condition had worn her down.
Her thoughts raced, the uncertainty creeping into her mind.
What did his actions mean? Her fingers instinctively moved to her stomach, almost as if she were trying to shield her unborn child from harm.
"Tryson… What happened? My baby... Did anything happen to my baby?" she asked in a soft, trembling voice.
Tryson paused for a moment, his heart aching as he took in the sight of her. He raised his head slowly, meeting her gaze with unwavering certainty. There was no doubt in his mind, no room for fear.
"The baby is fine, Angel," he said firmly, his voice steady as he leaned closer to her.
At his words, Angel's breath hitched in her throat. She closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh of relief, her body visibly relaxing as the tension melted away. For a brief moment, the world felt lighter—just for her.
"Thank goodness… thank God," Angel breathed out, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and frustration. "I don't know what I would've done if I'd lost my child," she added, her tone rising with a flicker of anger.
The raw emotion in her words cut through the room, and Tryson could feel the weight of it, knowing full well that much of her anger was directed at him.
Tryson stood there, unable to find the words to speak.
His chest tightened as he watched her. He knew how much she was hurting, and how much her frustration stemmed from the fact that whatever had happened—whatever chaos had unfolded—was, in many ways, because of him.
If he had been open with her from the start, if he hadn't kept so much from her, maybe things would've played out differently.
Maybe if Riley hadn't gotten involved, none of this would've spiraled into the mess it had become. The guilt gnawed at him, making it hard to breathe.
"Arthur," Tryson finally spoke, his voice quieter now, as if choosing his words carefully. "He was a business partner of mine, a long time ago."
At the mention of the name, Angel shifted her position, her eyes narrowing slightly as she turned her head toward him, her curiosity piqued.
The tension in her expression was clear as she waited for him to explain further, unsure of what more he was about to reveal.