Chapter 15
Byron rushed Yara to his car. She was still gripping her stomach.
He was about to head back to the classroom for Sylvia and Ruby when Joanna started waving at a group of kids waiting for ambulances. “We’ve got room! Come on, hurry!”
In moments, three more kids piled into the Maybach.
“Byron, let’s move!” Joanna shouted from the front seat. “These kids are in pain, and I can’t manage them alone. We need to get to the hospital now.”
“Mr. Blair, my stomach hurts so bad!” Yara’s teary face poked out the window, her voice shaky. “Please, I need a doctor!”
Byron’s forehead creased, his mind racing. Joanna and Yara were pleading for him to go, but he’d promised to take Sylvia’s kid to the hospital, too.
The car was already stuffed full.
Just then, Sylvia stepped out of the classroom, holding Ruby close.
Byron’s eyes locked on them. Unlike the other kids, Ruby didn’t seem to be in much pain anymore. Her face was scrunched, but she clung calmly to Sylvia’s neck.
“Your daughter looks okay now,” Byron called. “I’m taking these kids to the hospital. I’ll send another car for her right away.”
Without waiting for an answer, he hopped into the driver’s seat and sped off.
Sylvia watched him leave, a bitter smile flickering on her face. She’d make sure Ruby never found out he was her dad.
She’d already rubbed a few points on Ruby’s belly and gave her some pills; her pain had faded.
Sylvia buckled Ruby into her own car and crawled through the jammed school parking lot.
This accident happening at the kindergarten was huge. Major media quickly reported it.
A temporary investigation team entered the school to find out why the children had diarrhea.
By evening, investigators had swooped in, figuring out the problem: the cafeteria’s buyer had skimmed money by swapping fresh pork for cheap, spoiled meat.
Hospitals were slammed, pediatric wards packed with kids hooked to IVs. The pain dragged on, and the halls rang with cries for “Mommy” and “Daddy.”
Yara, like the others, was curled up on a hospital bed, sobbing through the cramps.
Joanna was a mess, pacing like a trapped cat. After a frantic call, she rushed up to Byron as he stepped out of the doctor’s office.
“Byron, we can’t keep Yara here,” she said, out of breath. “A friend told me about a private clinic in Garden Grove. The doctor there’s supposed to be amazing–everyone in the area raves about him.“
Byron didn’t think twice. He picked up Yara, just off her IV, and marched to his car out front.
“Garden Grove,” he said sharply, his voice firm.
The car raced to the fancy neighborhood. Following Joanna’s friend’s directions, they pulled up to a sleek, modern townhouse.
Joanna, holding Yara, hurried to the door with Byron close behind. He reached out and pressed the doorbell.
“Coming, coming!” a soft, cheery voice called.
The door swung open, and Ruby’s round, rosy face popped out.
“Who’re you looking for?” asked Ruby.
Byron and Joanna stood frozen. Even Yara, tucked in Joanna’s arms, stopped crying, her eyes wide with surprise.
Ruby blinked her big, curious eyes at them. “Wait, it’s you?”
Joanna’s mouth fell open, her mind racing. “No way… the Miracle Doctor everyone’s talking about… it’s not your mom, is it?
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4:12 PM
Chapter 15
Ruby scratched her head. “Well, my mom’s a doctor, but she’s not, like, a Miracle Doctor. There’s still some stuff she can’t fix.
Joanna’s gut twisted with jealousy. She couldn’t believe that, after all that hassle, the Miracle Doctor she tried to find was Sylvia.
Yara started crying again, her sharp wails cutting through the air. Joanna snapped out of it and pushed into the townhouse, Yara in her arms.
Byron stayed back, his thoughtful eyes fixed on Ruby. The kid was so cute–soft, chubby, the kind he just wanted to hug
But knowing she was Sylvia’s daughter with some other guy? It felt like a punch to the heart.
“Sir, you looking for my mom, too?” Ruby asked, sweet and polite. “Come on in!”
Byron walked into the villa, his steps firm, his sharp eyes scanning the place. “Where’s your mom?”
“She’s in the backyard, making medicine, Ruby answered, her voice high and sweet.
Ruby looked totally fine. Yara, still hunched over with stomach pain, shot Ruby a dirty look. “How come you’re not sick anymore? Weren’t you in pain, too?”
“Because I took my mom’s medicine, obviously,” Ruby said, shrugging. “I’m all better now.”
Yara’s face twisted with envy. She opened her mouth, about to demand Ruby grab the medicine right now–she was sick of hurting.
Joanna, picking up on Yara’s attitude, quickly covered Yara’s mouth.
She gave Ruby a friendly smile. “Hey, sweety, could you get your mom for us? Yara’s really hurting, and we need her to make something quick.”
Ruby wasn’t big on Yara, but this was her mom’s business, not hers. She waddled off to the backyard, her little legs moving fast.
Byron’s face stayed blank as he looked around. His gaze landed on tidy stacks of herbs spread across the floor.
Back when Sylvia was still with the Blair family, she was always messing with plants like these.
He’d figured she’d come running back to him very soon after she left, unable to make it on her own.
He was wrong. Three years later, Sylvia was a whole new person. People called her a “Miracle Doctor” now. She’d even done his grandfather’s surgery herself.
The Sylvia he knew, the quiet, pushover version, was gone. This new one? He couldn’t quite figure her out.
“Byron,” Joanna said, her voice tense with nerves, “what if Sylvia’s mad at me and won’t treat Yara?”
Byron’s dark eyes flashed with a cool edge, but his voice stayed steady. “She won’t. Yara’s your niece. Sylvia knows what’s fair.”
Joanna bit her lip, unsure. “Sylvia’s crossed me plenty of times before, and she’s never felt like she owed me anything. What if she says no?”
Byron’s mouth tightened, a quiet scoff slipping out. “Don’t stress. I know her.”
He thought back to the old days. Sure, he’d had to force Sylvia to make things right with Joanna, but she’d done it.
Three years might’ve gone by, but he didn’t think Sylvia’s heart could’ve changed that much.
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