I had sent a few texts and called Luc's number when I’d been alone, but he hadn't picked up. My messages had been read but left unanswered.
"Mia."
I was pulled from my thoughts when Stefan stepped through the door, done with classes for the day.
"Hey, Stef."
He came over and placed a kiss on my cheek. Stefan had been a rock to me over the past few days. He slept in the chair of the room because he didn't want me to be left alone and checked in regularly when he wasn't there. But despite the fact he had been so attentive I couldn’t help but think that he wasn’t Luc.
"I'd like you to meet someone. Do you feel up for it?" Stef asked me, smiling. Droplets of water from the rainy weather fell to the floor as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Who is it?" I asked, wondering if Stefan wanted me to meet a friend.
"Someone very important to me."
"I look a mess."
"I'm sure she won't mind."
"You want me to meet your girlfriend whilst I'm a patient?"
Stef let out a laugh and said, "Nothing like that."
He helped me get out of bed. The doctors had told me that I was healing well, and they would be happy to discharge me tomorrow as long as I looked after myself. Walking still caused the stab wound to ache but I’d rather the pain than going crazy sitting in one spot all day.
We got into the elevator and I expected him to hit the ground button but instead, he hit seven.
"You're dating a nurse? Doctor?"
"Why do you think I'm dating anyone?" Stef asked me.
We walked out onto the floor and Stef walked us towards the end of the hallway and stopped in front of a room. "Give me a minute," he instructed.
I nodded at him and watched as he disappeared into the room. I pulled at the sleeves of my sweater nervously before Stefan appeared again and offered me a hand, which I took before we both walked in.
The woman in the bed took my breath away because I could see Luc in every one of her features. There was no denying who she was.
"Mom, this is Mia," Stefan said. "She's a good friend of mine. Mia, this is my Mom, Maria."
His Mom smiled and she caught the way her body shook even though she sat still. "So nice to meet one of Stefan's friends. Come here, sweetheart."
I looked to Stefan who gave me a nod of encouragement. Letting go of his hand, I approached Maria, who opened her arms and I leaned down to hug her. The faint scent of mint wafted under my nose and my heart tugged painfully as I thought of Luc.
"Stef said that you've been here for a few days."
My eyes widened and I glanced back at Stefan, but his Mom let out a little laugh. "There's nothing that will shock me. I saw it all with Charlie."
Of course, this had all once been her life. Maria would have been accustomed to the violence and secrecy.
"I'm glad you're okay," she said to me.
"Thank you, Mrs Foster."
"She's actually an Evans," Stef corrected me.
"You can call me Maria."
We settled into the room and after a small, awkward start, the three of us relaxed into a comfortable conversation. I learned of Maria's diagnosis and watched how she interacted with Stefan. After a while, Maria was tired, and we bid her goodbye.
