Chapter 62

Chapter 62:

I headed home, feeling incredibly happy and accomplished.

As I approached my room, I stopped when I saw someone standing outside my door. The passage was dimly lit, so I had to move closer to get a proper look at his face.

“Jace?” I froze, squinting my eyes.

He pushed himself off the wall where he’d been leaning, wearing that annoying smirk of his. “Yes, my hopeless child! It’s me p>

I laughed and ran into his arms, but our hug was brief. I needed answers. “It’s—it’s late. What are you doing here?” And more importantly, how was he planning on getting home?

“Yes, it’s late,” he replied. “So, mind telling me why you’re just coming home p>

“Oh, shut up, Dad,” I rolled my eyes. “I have a job now. Back to my question: What are you doing here p>

“Well,” he shrugged. “I was just staring at my newest neighbor p>

“Wait, what?” I scoffed. “I don’t understand p>

“I’m not joking,” he said, his brows furrowing. “I got Kael to help me. Although,” he added, “I still don’t know what he had to say to Jaris to let me move in here p>

“Hold on, Jace. Why would you move in p>

“Why else?” he said, with a mock serious tone. “To watch over your careless ass. You’ll be here for a year, and your life is in danger at the moment. I need to be here to protect you when the worst happens p>

My heart melted at his words.

“Oh, Jace,” I pouted. “You really shouldn’t have bothered. I’ll be fine, I promise p>

“That’s the exact thing people say before they get into trouble. Come on, open the door p>

With his hand on the back of my neck, he gently pushed me toward the door. I chuckled and opened it.

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“So, you and Kael are cool now?” I asked as I fumbled with the keyhole.

“The moon forbid it,” he groaned. “I was almost forced to go on my knees to beg that asshole to listen to me. I wonder how people deal with him. His type are the ones we need less of in the world p>

I laughed as I walked into the dark room with Jace following. I turned on the lights.

“How was your first day at TCH p>

My smile dropped as soon as he asked. I hesitated, dropping my bag on the bed before going to the dresser to take off my wristwatch.

“Boring. I was asked to heal a man but couldn’t p>

I refused to tell him the rest—that I’d snuck out and later healed him. I didn’t think Jace would appreciate that.

He tapped me on the shoulder. “It’s for the best, Lyric. People have been surviving before you. Let’s just leave it at that p>

I flashed him a wistful smile before looking away.

“Marta was clearly happy with what happened.” I rolled my eyes, recalling the annoying look on her face. “If it wouldn’t have been unprofessional, I’m sure she would’ve laughed p>

“Marta? Who’s Marta p>

“A rude, tiring lady. Jaris’ baby mama p>

“Oh. The mother of his twins. She works at TCH p>

“Unfortunately. She’s actually the head doctor in my department p>

“Ooh,” he clicked his tongue. “And considering the fact that you’re Jaris’ mate, I bet she’d really make life hell for you p>

“She has. Fortunately, her kids are nothing like her. They’re the sweetest things I’ve ever met. Their birthdays are actually coming up in three weeks.” I smiled, remembering when they mentioned it.

Jace clapped behind me.

A thought struck me. I quickly turned to Jace, my fingers trying to unhook my earrings. “Do you know her p>

He shook his head. “Nah. Never met her. But I do know there’s someone with two kids for Jaris p>

“Hm— I think she knows you, though.” I told him what happened at the bar the other day. He seemed surprised.

“That’s interesting.” His brows furrowed. “I’ve actually never met her before. Unless I have, but didn’t know she was the one p>

He seemed to think for a moment. “Well, it’s a good thing I’m here. I’m sure I’ll get to meet her in no time p>

MARTA

Marta had extra work to do and had to stay back in the office through the night.

When she was ready to leave and was shutting her windows, she noticed Lyric leaving.

This surprised her. It was her first day here, and she had barely been seen. She shouldn’t have had too much work that would require her to stay the night. Something didn’t sit right with her. Her whole act in the surgical ward… Compelled, she followed her instincts and headed for Mr. Owen’s room. She didn’t even know why she was there. Lyric had clearly not been able to handle Mr. Owen earlier. Yet, Marta felt the urge to check on the man.

Reaching his ward, she found him asleep. Peacefully, so.

She went closer, inspecting him, and that’s when she noticed the stitches on his chest.

“What?” she breathed.

She ran her finger along the stitches, feeling how fresh they were.

It looked like a joke. Surgery had been done by the man—but by who? He wasn’t scheduled for surgery until the next day.

In a few minutes, she was seated in front of the hospital’s footage system. Normally, she wasn’t supposed to have access to those. But Marta had been at TCH for too long to not have her way with the tech team.

One of the technicians stood by while she went through the footage. It didn’t come as a shock when she saw Lyric entering the man’s ward that evening. She already suspected it. But confirming it caused her a little unease.

She couldn’t see what happened in the surgical ward, but Lyric stayed long enough for the surgery to be completed. When she came out, she looked satisfied.

Unease prickled at Marta’s neck. How on earth did Lyric perform such complicated surgery on her own? And why did she do it in secret? It didn’t make any sense.