It was a plausible answer. In truth, I couldn't recall the last Christmas I'd spent with my family. I always confirmed my attendance, but a last-minute surgery, an ER crisis, or simply being too immersed in my work would inevitably pull me away. I loved my mother and siblings, but I believed dinners could be made at any time, without having to wait until next Christmas to be together. My research into early Alzheimer's treatments served a greater good—it could help millions and cement my name in medical history.
I was honest with Evelyn when I said I believed money and influence opened many doors. I was acutely aware of what my surname did for my career, for better or worse. Being the son of a famous actress and a renowned architect made me a known quantity, but it also made many doubt my potential in a field so different from my family's. Perhaps that's exactly why I drove myself to be the best in everything I did. I was the top student in my classes from high school straight through my medical residency.
“I won’t stop,” I finally replied. “As soon as I get back to Los Angeles, I’ll get back to work.”
"We can speed this up, then. What do you think about continuing your research in our labs?"
That took me by surprise. “But… the interview with the council…”
"It's a mere formality. We can't say anything officially, but... we know the position is already yours. Moving your research here will only speed things up, and it will also give your name some added weight with our board."
How could I deny that proposal?
Of course, I agreed. I thanked them both for the opportunity, sealing the deal with a handshake.
"Thank you so much for this. I'll only need a couple of days to arrange for my materials to be sentover from the other hospital." It was only then I remembered a small, crucial detail: I wasn't alone. "I'll also need to look into renting a house; a hotel room would be difficult for the children long-term."
"In New York? At this time of year?" the man opined. "The city is packed with tourists. You won't find a short-term rental before New Year's."
"No hotel," the woman stated firmly. "You four will stay as our guests. And I won't accept any refusal."
"We don't want to be a disturbance," I replied, already envisioning the disaster. The girls might call Evelyn by her real name, shattering our charade. "Children can be very... noisy."
"Nonsense! Your daughters are two sweethearts. Besides, we're barely home, and we live in a mansion that's far too big for just two. You'll have plenty of room to be comfortable. And I repeat: no refusals."
They didn't accept refusals.
And I was in no position to refuse anything from the two people whose support I needed most.
So, I simply agreed, even though I knew Evelyn would be furious. The original plan was two days, but now it seemed she was stuck with me for the entire two-month term of our contract.
I pushed that concern aside, however, the moment I was shown the hospital's laboratories. Having my research associated with this institution would be the crowning achievement on my resume—a golden opportunity I couldn't pass up.
A few hours later, we concluded the tour. I said goodbye to the Holloways as they left for a meeting and headed down to the cafeteria to meet Evelyn and the girls. I expected to find them furious at my delay. The children were probably bored, and I knew how difficult Anna could be when she was annoyed.
Which is why the scene I walked into stopped me in my tracks.
I spotted the three of them at a table by a glass wall overlooking a winter garden. Anna and Aurora were laughing—not just smiling, but laughing out loud, their joy echoing through the space. I stood there, staring. It was the first time I had ever heard Aurora make a sound, and it prompted my first real thought about her.
She was a hearing-impaired girl who couldn't speak, but she had a voice, and I hadn't even heard it—not even her laugh—in all this time. From the documents Eleanor sent, I knew she'd been in speech therapy since she was a baby, which was likely why her lip-reading was so advanced.
For the first time, I wondered what more I could do for her. At the very least, she needed to continue her treatments, but I could probably do better.
My gaze shifted to Evelyn, who was talking to them both using American Sign Language with a surprising fluency. She wasn't the syrupy, baby-talking type, but she seemed to understand the girls completely and conversed with them effortlessly... No wonder they were so attached to her.
Evelyn was the complete opposite of anyone you'd call 'sweet' or 'gentle.' But there was something utterly captivating about her. Something beyond her beauty that held my attention.
She finished whatever story she was signing, and both girls burst into another peal of laughter. Evelyn laughed with them, a genuine, warm sound. And I just stood there, completely transfixed by the scene.
Chapter twelve
EVELYN
I would have been fully capable of spending my first-ever conviction on the murder of Logan Turner the moment he approached us in the hospital cafeteria and announced our stay in New York was being extended.
I refrained only to avoid traumatizing the girls by leaping at their father and strangling him right in front of them. And damn if Logan Turner wasn't a foot taller and infinitely stronger than me—though no one should underestimate the surge of strength I get when I'm furious. My ex, Peter, could confirm that with a photo of the spectacular purple bruise I left on his eye during our breakup.
We had to wait for the Holloways to finish their meeting before following them to their apartment, where we would be staying until Logan found a place to rent.
