Chapter 68

Aria’s POV

With a new focus – curing Sheila’s infertility – I became single minded in my research and experimentation. While I still allotted some time for my other patients, every other moment was spent in the lab working on concoctions or in the back of my office, researching through my various medical books and tomes.

With Cathy covering the phones, Piper became something of a laboratory assistant for me, running variations of experiments for me, while I researched, or vice versa. Together we would go over the results.

Piper was still learning, but she had an insightful point here or there. Sometimes, in my quest for the best medicines, I would often forget the most straightforward solution, always looking for something more complicated. Piper was exceedingly helpful in bringing me back down to earth and keeping me on track, as well as humble.

My purpose was clear and was what drove me ever forward, even after various failures: Only with Sheila cured could I finally leave the pack and start my new life elsewhere.

With that thought in the forefront of my mind, I pushed myself ever-forward, unwilling to accept negative results or failures. Every misstep was still a step forward, closer to the solution.

Then, on a dreary Thursday morning, as I went over the results of Wednesday’s experiments once more, it occurred to me.

Looking at the papers, it all made sense, everything sliding into place. I knew exactly what the formula needed.

I clapped my hands together in excitement. “Finally!”

Piper stood up from the reception desk. “You got it?”

“I think so. I need to run one more test. Call in Sheila for an appointment this afternoon.”

Piper smiled. “If you are that confident, then I know you have the answer. Congrats!”

I smiled in return. “Even so, save the celebration until after Sheila is cured, alright?”

Worrying her bottom lip, she tried to hide her growing smile, but it didn’t work.

“Of course!” she said after a moment, her smile bursting free once more. She immediately sat back at her desk and lifted her phone, presumably to call Lucian and Sheila.

Not wanting to hear that conversation, I grabbed my reports and hurried out of the office, returning to the lab. There, I threw myself into my final tests.

When the results came in, they were exactly what I had been wanting.

I’d done it. I’d come up with the solution.

For a moment, relief flooded through me. Finally, I could be free of Sheila and Lucian.

Yet, in the following moment, that relief dried up like a small pond in a draught.

I’d already told Piper to call Sheila in for an appointment. She would undoubtedly bring Lucien.

That meant I would have to face him once more, and soon.

I wasn’t ready. Not at all. But I didn’t have a choice.

To be free of Lucian, I had to suffer through his presence, and the hurt that came with it, once more.

I stayed locked in the lab, re-running tests to be certain of the result, wanting nothing to go wrong, until well into the afternoon. Then, knowing I couldn’t waste any more time, I poured a dose of the formula into a vial, and left the lab.

My feet moved slowly back to my office, as if they’d been filled with lead.

When I returned, Sheila was already waiting there, with Lucian beside her.

He looked much like how I felt. With heavy bags under his eyes, I wondered if he hadn’t been sleeping. I couldn’t imagine why, since he now had everything he could want with Sheila on his arm again. He wouldn’t have to hide his love for her much longer.

Even so, when he looked at me, there was a tightness in his gaze that had never really been there before. He didn’t seem happy.

“What’s all this about, Dr. A?” Sheila demanded. “Your assistant called us down here in a hurry, and then you keep us waiting?”

“She refused to make an appointment, Dr. A,” Piper explained.

“Sheila,” Lucian said. “Let’s hear out what Dr. A has to say. It could be good news.”

“For her sake, I hope it is.”

My annoyance with Sheila immediately trumped the dread I felt seeing Lucian again. There was no need to delay this any longer. I wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.

“I believe that I found a cure for your condition,” I said.

Sheila’s demeanor changed so fast I was surprised we all didn’t get whiplash.

“You have?!” A wide smile, all teeth, broke on out her face. She turned it to Lucian at once. “Lucian? Did you hear? She’s found a cure!”

“Yes, I heard,” Lucian said with a soft sigh. He seemed lighter now, a bit, though invisible weights still seemed to weigh down on his shoulders. In his voice, I could detect a hint of relief. “I heard.”

“Well, what are we waiting for? I want the treatment at once!” Sheila said, returning to me.

“Room 4 is open,” Piper told me.

Nodding, I gestured Sheila toward the door.

“Lucian, you have to come with me,” she said, smiling at him. “This is such a big day for us both.”

My lunch threatened to return up from my stomach but through sheer willpower alone, I kept it down.

Aria’s heart might have been shattering to pieces, but Dr. A was built of sterner stuff. As Dr. A, I could handle any crisis, even this crisis of the heart.

“Very well,” Lucian said and fell into step beside Sheila.

I led them both out into the hallway and then down the hall to the room labeled with a 4. Inside was a bed, several medical machines, and a chair. I had her sit down in the chair.

While I checked her vitals, Lucian watched from the door. Leaning against it, he crossed his arms and frowned.

Sheila was right. This should have been a happy occasion for him, so why did he look so miserable?

No matter. I couldn’t let myself become distracted – especially not because of Lucian. Focusing on my work, I finished with Sheila’s general checkup and turned to prepare the formula vial.

The medicine would have to be delivered straight into her bloodstream so I prepared a needle.

“I never would have thought you’d do this for me, Dr. A,” Sheila said. “Honestly, I still can’t believe it. But it’s really happening, isn’t it? Soon I’ll be able to have children.”

“It’s really happening,” I assured her.

“Did you hear that Lucian?”

“I heard,” he replied.

Sheila’s smile was blinding. “How long until the formula starts taking effect?” she asked me.

“It shouldn’t take long, though remember, while this will cure your infertility, it will not mean you will automatically become pregnant on the first try. Your cycle will still play a part…” I explained.

Sheila’s smile became a grin, looking much like a cat who caught the canary. “Well, trying is the fun part, isn’t it? I’m looking forward to that.”

I finished preparing the needle, needing to administer it before I was well and truly sick. I could feel my stomach churning. It was going to be long, not if I had to think of Lucian and Sheila together in bed…

“What do you say, Lucian?” Sheila asked him. “I can’t wait to start having your children.”