Athena
"So...the abnormal growth is life-threatening, and this is not a good sign?" Cora seemed to have a hard time digesting the truth, and the worry swarming in her eyes said it all.
"Yes, it's kind of like that, but look, on the bright side, I get to meet my baby boy faster," I smiled,"It could be a bad sign, but I don't care about it. I am just happy that I won't have to wait long."
"But wait, I don't get it. Why can't you two opt for an early delivery? I know it can be risky considering the premature instincts of your baby, but the risks might be minimised compared to a normal delivery. I just don't understand why the doctor thinks it's riskier," Cora spoke, her voice carrying an edge of frustration, "Give me the name. I'll speak to him myself."
"We both have done our research, Cora," Sebastian sighed, "I've also spoken to a few other doctors out there, even though they didn't take over our case, their opinions did not vary. They, too, believe it's safer to perform the delivery once she goes into labour."
"I understand, but I still need the name. I have to make sure that you two are not putting all of your trust in a quack!"
"It's Tristan Perez," I said, and as soon as the name left my lips, all colour drained from Cora's face. For some reason, I couldn't quite figure out her reaction, and Sebastian didn't seem to notice.
"Yeah, he has been handling our case from the start," he explained, unaware of Cora's unease, "You must have heard about him; he's kind of famous in this area due to his countless successful cases. He has even invested in multiple pharmaceuticals, which is how I came across him."
"Sorry, what's the name again?"
"Tristan Perez," I repeated, this time a bit hesitant due to the perplexing expression on Cora's face.
"Oh..." She muttered quietly, "I thought he was not living in this city anymore."
"Yeah, you're right. He was living out of the city for a while, working on some projects. But he came back a few months ago," Sebastian answered as he shuffled through his car keys; we were supposed to go out for dinner since I needed some fresh air. "By the way, how did you know he was out of the city? You're not the type to stalk somebody," he chuckled.
"I wasn't stalking him," Cora brushed it off with a nervous laugh, "I just happened to meet him a few times during seminars and stuff. Nothing more."
Something seemed off. She didn't sound like she didn't know him at all. The way her gaze wavered and her voice trembled ever so slightly suggested that she knew him in a way that we didn't.
"You're quite the stalker, if I may say so," Sebastian teased. "You've meddled in all my business meetings and even showed up at my office a couple of times. Perhaps, Tristan was one of your patients too?"
"No, he wasn't," Cora shook her head.
"Hey, Cora," I slowly grabbed her hand, concerned, "Is there something you can't tell us?"
Sebastian finally glanced at us, and he seemed to notice that her smile had faltered. "Cora, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," she tried to dismiss it, "I just feel a bit tired. I should go home and rest." She attempted to get up, but I held her hand, stopping her.
"Tell us, perhaps we can help you feel a bit better."
"Athena, don't worry. There's nothing to be concerned about. I am okay," Cora flashed me a reassuring smile.
"You never talk like this," Sebastian decided to intervene, "In fact, you never sound like this either. What is it? Tell me."
"Sebastian, it's nothing. Trust—"
"If you don't tell us, then you can't leave." As expected, Sebastian resorted to his persistent ways.
"It's okay, Cora. You can tell us," I gently squeezed her hand, "Come on, don't hesitate."
"It's just that—" She sighed, running her hand through her hair as she brushed them backwards, "A while ago, when I came across him a few times, I felt the mate bond, and when I told him about it, he denied it. He said that I... I wasn't his mate. I still can't figure it out if he's actually my mate or not. I just feel like he is, but then again... he said that he felt nothing."
Oh god!
"Tristan?" Sebastian asked, clearly shocked enough that he needed double confirmation.
"Yeah, I think he's my mate..." Cora sighed.
"He denied the mate bond?" I asked, unsure of what she meant.
"He told me that he had a mate, and she died a long time ago. When I brought up the 'second chance mate' thing, he simply told me that he didn't believe in second chances. That was his polite way of denying the bond I felt. He just flashed me a smile and walked away," she chuckled, sounding a bit bitter, "And before I could contact him again, he was gone from the city. Cruel jerk."
"Fucking jerk," Sebastian cursed under his breath, "He didn't reject you, did he?"
"For that, he had to believe that I was his mate," I could see that she was trying to fight her tears away, "But he simply didn't believe that he could have a second chance mate. It seemed like a misunderstanding to him, and he brushed it off, just like that."
"Cora..." I slowly stood up, resting my left hand on my baby bump, "Come here." I gently pulled her into a hug.
Though the pain she and I had gone through was different, I could still empathize with her. Pain, no matter how different, in ways and nature, was still the same thing—An enigmatic force—diverse, yet universal.
"Hey, I am okay," she forced a chuckle, trying to sound strong. However, as I rubbed her back and exhaled, "You are a very strong woman, Cora." I heard her breathing out a trembling sigh, followed by a small, barely audible sniffle.
"I know."
A small, melancholic chuckle slipped past my lips on its own, "You do?"
"Yeah. I know I am a strong woman for not grovelling for that jerk," she slowly pulled away, wiping her tears, "I can find a better man for myself. There are plenty more good-looking doctors out there."
"I can beat him up for you if you want," Sebastian suggested, sounding absolutely serious, "It doesn't matter if he takes it to heart. He should pay for what he did."
"No, no!" Cora's response came rather quickly, "Don't do that, please. He could have been through a lot... perhaps that's why he did not want to admit that he felt the mate—" She suddenly stopped halfway, realising what she was saying.
"Oh... so now you're all about defending him? What happened to your strong-woman phase?" Sebastian quirked an eyebrow, looking at her with suspicion.
"I am not defending him," she nervously tucked a piece of her hair strand behind her ear, "I-I am just..."
"Cat got your tongue?"
"Hey, you're not supposed to bug me with questions. I am your doctor!"
"Doctor, my arse," he scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"Show some respect; I am a year older than you, remember? I am supposed to discipline you, not the other way around! Act like the younger one."
It was hard suppressing my smile. They indeed looked like siblings.
"At least one of us had to act mature," he shrugged, leaning over and pressing a quick kiss on my lips, "I'll be waiting by the car," he smiled at me, before shifting his gaze to Cora, "Come down fast and don't you dare act careless while walking down with my pregnant mate."
"Hey, do I look that much of a numbskull to you?!"
Ignoring her, Sebastian walked out of the room, "More than you can think of."
"Did you see how rude your mate is?" She looked at me, her hands resting on her hips.
"Yeah, he is very rude indeed," I chuckled, shaking my head and feigning disappointment, "Now come here, help me out. I have swollen feet already."