Page 30

Getting into the hospital and getting her status is relatively easy. There’s almost nothing that money or influence can’t buy, and I have both to spare.

Her parents, along with the nurse, will be redirected to a clinic that has been set up especially for Zoe’s mother’s care.

When I arrive, I’m informed that I still can’t see Zoe because she is receiving treatment, so I go to her parents and introduce myself as their daughter’s new employer.

What more can I say? That I’m the man who’s obsessed with their girl?

Macy and Scott are humble, friendly people. Her mother reminds me of my own mother, someone who can smile even when faced with the greatest of adversities.

She seems physically very fragile, which contradicts her personality. Lucid, she asks me questions about the details of the fire. I don’t have all the answers at the moment, but I intend to find out everything.

In addition to trying to kill Zoe, that bastard set fire to the house with two elderly people inside. I hope that what Beau discovered is true and that Mike is still alive, because I personally want to rid the planet of that worm .

Neither of Zoe’s parents, nor the nurse, are able to tell me what happened, only that they woke up to Bia’s screams telling them to run out of the house. Mike Howard’s name isn’t mentioned, so I assume they have no idea he’s involved.

Interestingly enough, when I explain the need to move them to a private clinic, Zoe’s father doesn’t look surprised; he only says it would be the best option. Like me, he truly believes in the lethality of the new virus more than the average citizen in the U.S.

People inside the hospital, mainly staff, are already wearing masks, which shows that many high-ranking people knew this virus was more contagious than originally reported. You can’t take action that quickly unless a massive security protocol is already orchestrated behind the scenes.

I ask permission in writing to take care of Zoe, and then her mother asks me something that baffles me.

She asks if I am the man from Barcelona .

Her dad looks at us confused, so I guess that she only told her mom about us.

I say yes, even though I have no idea if that is a good thing.

Before saying goodbye to them, they ask to talk to the doctor who is treating their daughter. I stay with them.

The doctor explains to us, as Beau has already told me, that the agent, who apparently is also a friend—she was staying at Zoe’s parents’ house—is in a coma, while Zoe has been sedated only for pain relief.

Neither suffered unmanageable burns; they were second-degree but not deep within the skin, although painful, and the recovery time could be from one to three weeks. Even so, they may leave scars.

I’ll have to talk to the doctor alone later. If Zoe’s situation isn’t as severe, I’ll move her from the hospital as soon as possible, as I will with her parents. I won’t risk her getting the virus.

Nothing can be done for the agent. I don’t believe they would authorize me to move someone in her condition.

As I understand it, the main concern for the medical staff is that both inhaled smoke. In addition to that, Bia Ramos received a strong blow to the head, and that’s the reason for her being in a coma.

I mentally file away the information, as I always do, committed to making the necessary arrangements for Bia to get the best possible care, but my thoughts are all on Zoe.

I’ve rarely ever felt so lost.

It’s as if life is forcing me to rip off the pride bandage, I’ve been wearing, as if I’m receiving a call from above, an awakening.

For two years now, I’ve been going in circles, keeping my distance, stuck in a true abyss, when I knew all along that there was no chance of burying what had happened between us in the past.

I decide the game is over.

I could have lost her today. She is the one woman to ever mess up my world in a short period of time and make me feel and want more.

I don’t know what will happen from now on, but I won’t keep my distance anymore.

“, I’d like to speak with you alone,” her mother asks after the doctor and Zoe’s Dad walk out into the hallway.

“Of course.”

She motions to the armchair next to her bed. As soon as I arrived, I arranged for them to be transferred to a private room. “Please sit. I want to talk about Zoe.”

“About me being the man from Barcelona ?” I repeat the words she used.

“Also, that. For now, let me tell you about my girl. First of all, keep in mind that I’m very old, but I’m lucid. Yesterday, I talked with my daughter, and now that you’re here, I just put two and two together.”

“I don’t know if I understand.”

“I believe you want to see Zoe right now. So, do I. But from what the doctor said, she’s still sedated; we have time. I’ll start from the beginning: I’ve always wanted children, but who knows why God determined that I wouldn’t have any of my own—at least, not biological ones. When my husband and I decided to adopt, we thought and evaluated a lot beforehand. We were never rich but rather regular working class, both with jobs from Monday through Friday and humble paychecks. However, we believed that we checked all the right boxes to be called father and mother: plenty of love to give.”

“When we first met in Barcelona, Zoe told me she had been rejected from several homes,” I tell her, and in fact, that memory serves me well. I don’t know if I have forgotten the details. More likely, I pushed them to the back of my mind in a sort of defensive instinct against the woman who, I now have the courage to admit, hurt not only my pride but also my feelings.

“Yes, we took her in during her preteens, and I swear on all the holiest of holies, I’ve never seen a sadder look on a child. She was always beautiful, but that wasn’t what made me so sure I wanted her for myself; it was the hopelessness on her face. I’m not going to go back in time and recount every detail, because I don’t feel emotionally strong enough to do so. It was a difficult time for the three of us until we managed to convince her that we would never give her up.”

I give my full attention to the conversation. Hearing Macy’s words is like watching a teen movie starring Zoe. She tells me how the girl was afraid to state her wishes, always afraid of not pleasing them and ending up back in the state’s care.

“Why did people reject her?’

“Who knows? Probably because they didn’t realize parenting someone was a 24/7 job. You can’t switch off a child when you get tired of playing with them. You need to pay attention and give love. It requires dedication. But I am telling you this so that I can get to the time you two met in Barcelona. I don’t know what happened there. She didn’t tell me what happened on the ship nor that she had met anyone. But when she came back, she was deeply depressed. Even the prospect of a new career, which began shortly after she returned, didn’t improve her condition. She traveled a lot but locked herself in her room and hardly spoke whenever she was home.”

“Do you think I’m the cause?” I ask, confused as hell. “Zoe left me with just a note.” It’s uncomfortable to share details of our short relationship. I’m not one to confide in anyone, but since the cards are on the table, so be it.

I remember her asking me about whether the money in the envelope was some kind of payment.

Was that possibly the reason she left? Did she think I paid her for the night we had?

No, there had to be more to it. I may have been determined to win her no matter what, but I never treated her like a luxury escort .

“Keep in mind she was only eighteen. She was always mature for her age but still very young.” There’s no scolding behind her tone. “If you’re here after all this time, it’s because what happened between you two isn’t over yet.”

“Not for me.”

She nods. “I can’t say if the depression was linked to what she experienced in Spain, and I don’t even want to get involved in your relationship, but I’m telling this whole story so I can beg you, Mr. Lykaios . . . if what you want with my daughter is just an adventure, please leave right now.”

I open my mouth, but she holds a hand up, stopping me.

“Zoe is much stronger now than she was a few years ago, but she’s already experienced too many losses. You are a rich man and also generous. I thank you with all my heart for what you’re doing for me, but don’t hurt my daughter, or I’ll curse you all the days I have left on Earth.”