Chapter 5
Emilia's POV
"I'm at the east wing elevators, Dad! Hurry!" Adam said jubilantly.
My blood seemed to freeze in my veins. Noah's son? This child is Noah Blake's son? Panic flooded over me like a tidal wave. God, I can't see him. I absolutely cannot.
My legs felt like lead, but the elevator doors had already opened. Adam pulled me inside by the hand.
I have to leave. Now. Immediately.
"Adam, I'm sorry," I suddenly spoke, my voice shaking with panic, "I forgot I have an urgent meeting. I must go right away."
Adam's smile instantly vanished. "What? But... but my dad will be here any second! He REALLY needs your help!"
"I really can't... I have to go..." I frantically pressed the door open button, practically stumbling out of the elevator.
"Please wait!" Adam called after me, his voice filled with disappointment. "Why won't you help anymore?"
I didn't look back, quickening my pace. I can't see Noah. Six years ago he turned his back on me without a second thought, and now I won't be returning to his life. Not under any circumstances.
Noah's POV
"Mr. Blake, Dr. Nightingale has agreed to conduct your first treatment tomorrow morning," the receptionist's voice was professional and calm on the phone.
Standing in the airport arrival hall, I gripped my phone tightly, feeling a glimmer of hope finally emerge. After European specialists had been at a loss, this mysterious neurologist was my last lifeline.
"Thank you," I answered briefly. "Please inform Dr. Nightingale I'll be there on time."
I had just ended the call when Mark rushed up to me, looking anxious. "Sir, Adam is missing."
"What?" I jerked my head up, a sudden wave of dizziness blurring my vision. Damn it, not again. "When did he slip away?"
"While we were collecting the luggage," Mark said regretfully. "I only turned away for a minute, and he—"
"Gather all security personnel," I ordered through gritted teeth, fighting the darkness creeping at the edges of my vision. "Search the airport immediately. That kid is a master escape artist."
A five-year-old shouldn't be this much trouble. But deep down, pride surged—Adam's intelligence far exceeded normal levels; he could easily hack into our home security system and solve math problems I found complex.
My phone rang, displaying "Adam" on the screen. I quickly answered. "Adam! Where are you?"
"Dad! Great news!" His voice was so excited it practically jumped through the phone. "I found Dr. Nightingale! She's going to help with your eyes!"
My heart skipped a beat. "What? Adam, where are you? How could you possibly—"
"I'm at the east wing elevators, Dad! Hurry!"
Hanging up, Mark and I immediately rushed toward the east wing. As we hurried through the crowded hall, I caught a glimpse of a woman hastily walking away—a slender figure, chestnut hair swaying slightly at her shoulders.
Something struck my memory. That silhouette, that way of walking...
Emilia?
I blinked, trying to get a better look, but the woman had already disappeared around the corner. Just then, a black spot suddenly appeared in the center of my vision, rapidly expanding with blurred edges.
"No, not now," I cursed under my breath, forced to steady myself against a nearby pillar. These episodes of vision loss were becoming more frequent, each one like an alarm bell reminding me time was running short.
"Sir? Are you alright?" Mark asked with concern, his voice sounding as if underwater to my ears.
I waved him off, focusing on breathing, waiting for the darkness to recede. Seconds later, my vision gradually returned, and I saw Adam running toward us, his little face full of disappointment.
"Dad!" He threw himself into my arms. "You were too slow! Dr. Nightingale was just here, but she suddenly said she had a meeting and ran away!"
I crouched down, feeling both relief and annoyance. "Adam, you can't keep running off like this. Mark and I were worried sick."
"But Dad, I did it for you!" he insisted stubbornly, his eyes glistening with tears. "I found out Dr. Nightingale was coming to Lincoln City today and thought I'd try my luck. She was AMAZING! I saw her save a man having a heart attack—she wasn't scared at all!"
Though I wanted to scold him severely, seeing the genuine concern on Adam's face, my anger instantly dissipated. This kid, always thinking of me.
"It's okay, buddy," I ruffled his hair. "Actually, I've already scheduled an appointment with Dr. Nightingale for tomorrow."
Adam's eyes immediately lit up, as if illuminating the entire world. "Really? Wow! That's AWESOME! She'll fix your eyes, Dad! I just know it!"
He cheered and jumped up and down, making me smile despite myself. However, my thoughts involuntarily returned to the woman who had hurried away.
It couldn't have been Emilia, I told myself. She left Lincoln City long ago.
But that silhouette, that fleeting impression, stirred something in me I thought had been buried by anger and betrayal long ago.
