Chapter 4
Whenever anyone asked about Theodore's father, Colette would use that same story to get through the question.
She didn't want anyone to know Theodore was a kid without a dad, and she especially didn't want him growing up surrounded by whispers and stares.
The old lady sighed, "Men, no matter how important their careers are, shouldn't leave their families behind. Just look at you, it must be really hard handling everything on your own."
Colette just smiled and stayed quiet.
Of course, it was hard. But it was all worth it seeing Theodore sleeping so peacefully.
Before Caleb left for the day, he stopped by the room to check on Theodore one last time.
He carefully examined Theodore, and only when he was sure everything was stable did he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"If anything comes up tonight, just hit the call button for the nurse. Don't try to tough it out on your own," he reminded her.
"Okay, I will. Honestly, thank you so much, Dr. Locke. I really can't express how grateful I am," Colette said, her voice brimming with sincerity.
Caleb just waved his hand and gave her a warm smile.
"It was no trouble at all. Try to get some rest tonight. You look really worn out," he said.
With that, he turned and walked away.
*****
It was deep into the night.
The hospital hallway was hushed, with only the nurse's station light still glowing.
Colette was hunched over Theodore's bed, keeping vigil, afraid to even blink.
Kids with high fevers could relapse anytime, and she was scared that if she nodded off, she wouldn't notice if Theodore's temperature shot up again.
Late at night, Theodore's fever spiked again, just as Colette had feared.
Colette hurried to wipe him down with warm water, trying to physically cool him off.
Theodore whimpered restlessly in his sleep, his tiny body shivering slightly from the fever.
Colette's heart twisted into a knot. She wished she could take his place and suffer in his stead.
Just then, the door to the hospital room was gently pushed open.
Colette figured it was just a nurse making her rounds, so she didn't pay much attention.
But then, a tall figure stepped in, casting a shadow over her and blocking out the harsh, pale light from above.
She instinctively looked up and froze.
Wayne stood in the doorway.
He was still wearing the same suit from earlier, but his tie was loosened and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, making him look a little disheveled and exhausted.
What is he doing here? How did he even know I was here?
Questions swirled in Colette's mind, one after another.
Wayne looked right past her, his eyes locking onto Theodore in the hospital bed.
When he saw Theodore's face, a face that looked so much like his, Wayne's usually steady expression finally cracked, for the first time.
Wayne's pupils shrank, and his breath stopped for a split second.
He approached, his steps faltering, like he was walking on clouds.
His eyes were locked on Theodore, memorizing every feature. Every detail. His eyebrows, eyes, nose, and lips.
With each glance, his heart sank deeper.
The more he looked, the more that absurd and terrifying thought kept spiraling out of control in his mind.
He suddenly turned, fixating his gaze on Colette, his voice rough with utter shock.
"Colette, whose child is this?" Wayne asked.
Colette's heart skipped a beat.
This was going to happen eventually.
She should've realized that if Wayne could track her down at the postpartum retreat center, he could easily find her address and everything about her, including Theodore's existence.
Colette took a deep breath, forcing herself to steady her nerves.
She looked straight into his bloodshot eyes, speaking each word slowly and clearly, "This has nothing to do with you."
"Nothing to do with me?" Wayne suddenly let out a low, self-mocking laugh, full of sorrow, as if he'd just heard the cruelest joke.
He pointed at Theodore, his hand shaking. "He looks exactly like me, and you're telling me he has nothing to do with me?"
His voice rose, unable to hide the fury and accusation. "Colette, what else have you been keeping from me?"
The elderly patient and the child in the next bed were woken up, muttering complaints.
Colette didn't want to argue with him here, and especially didn't want to frighten Theodore.
She stood up and guided him toward the door.
"Let's talk outside," she said.
The hallway was deserted, the motion-sensor lights lighting up with each step they took, then going dark behind them.
Colette brought him to the window at the end of the hallway, giving him a cold stare. "Wayne, what are you really after?"
"What am I after?" Wayne stepped closer, his tall frame looming over her. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? You took my son and vanished for six years! Are you really that heartless?"
Wayne was practically shaking, his handsome face a storm of pain and anger.