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"It’s not your fault. We’re in Bali. The last thing you could've anticipated was for her to turn up here." I look up at him. "How did she find us, anyway?"
A shadow crosses his eyes. Without looking at me, he rumbles, "We need to talk."
"Okay"—I frown—"but can’t it wait until Serene is awake?"
"The doctor says it might be hours before she’s fully awake. For now, she’s out of danger." When he finally meets my eyes, there’s something in them which makes the fine hair on the nape of my neck rise. "Is everything okay?"
He doesn’t reply. Instead, he urges me toward the door.
"Tyler, you’re worrying me."
He sends me a lopsided smile. But his eyes are serious. "I’m sorry about that." His voice softens. "There’s something I needed to talk to you about, and it’s best we do it now."
I nod, somewhat mollified by his words. But the dread which crept in earlier intensifies into a knot in my chest. "Does this have to do with her birth mother showing up?"
He guides me down the corridor and into an empty waiting room. I take in the couch, the comfortable chairs, and the window from which I can see the sea in the distance. The space is air-conditioned, and my feet sink into the thick carpet. It’s a tastefully appointed room. I realize, we must be in a private hospital.
I’m grateful my daughter is getting the best care possible.
For the first time, I appreciate that my husband has money. For the first time, I don’t knock the fact that I grew up surrounded by luxuries. I’ve spent all my life running from it. I felt compelled to rebel against the kind of lifestyle my father afforded me and my brothers. I wanted to be more 'normal.'
I felt it was wrong that I had access to wealth when there were so many people in this world who had nothing. It’s what made me turn my back on my family. And I concede, it was so I could get more attention from my father. Becoming a mother has made me more appreciative of how difficult bringing up a child is. For the first time, I empathize with how much stress I must have caused my family.
When Tyler coaxes me to sit down in the comfortable settee, I don’t demur. He walks over to the nearby counter, then makes me a cup of tea and an espresso for himself before he returns.
He hands the tea to me, and I accept it with gratitude. I cup my palms around the cup and let the heat seep into my bloodstream, then take a sip. Feeling better, I glance at him. "So, it does have to do with her birth mother showing up?"
He nods slowly, tosses back the espresso and sets the cup down on the coffee table.
"You already know that neither Lauren's blood type nor mine were compatible with Serene’s."
"That’s not unusual, is it?" I frown, wondering what he’s getting at.
He shakes his head. "Not in itself. But then it turned out that your blood type was the same as hers."
"So?" I tilt my head. "I’m aware my blood type is rare. I didn’t realize Serene’s would be the same."
He nods. "That in itself is, again, not uncommon." He hesitates.
And that’s so unusual for this man. He’s always so confident. So in control. The only time I saw him shaken was the day Serene was left at his doorstep. And then today, when Serene was hurt. I sink back in my seat. That nervousness which gripped me earlier tightens into a ball of apprehension in my throat.
"Is it about Serene?"
He nods. Then he sees the panic in my eyes and squeezes my hand. "You heard the doctor. She’s going to be fine.”
Some of the tension drains from me. "What is it then?"
"Because her blood and yours are uncommon, and because the doctor wanted to be extra careful, I agreed to them cross-checking genetic markers to ensure there are no underlying conditions that could impact clotting or immune response."
I rub at my temple trying to make sense of the words. "You wanted to verify her blood type against mine for safety reasons?"
He nods.
"I assume it’s normal protocol to do so?"
He nods again.
“So, what’s the problem?" I half-smile. "You had me worried."