Chapter 84


    Chapter 84


    Magnolia copsed Into Eve’s embrace, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “No more hospitals, Mom.


    I’ming home to care for you. Every time after your treatment, you should be with your family, not


    these sterile walls.”


    “Oh, Magnolia, I’ve been missing your father terribly,” Eve whispered, her voice brittle with


    age.


    The two women clung to each other, their sobs mingling in the quiet of the hospital room.


    Outside the room, Gwendolyn stepped away to give them privacy.


    “Dr. Quigley, right? I’m Derrick Hamilton. That’s my mother–inw in there. We’ve all heard how critical


    the situation was. Thank you for saving her life. We’ll see to it that your efforts are handsomely


    rewarded,” the middle–aged man said with a polite but detached air, the hint of his privileged


    upbringing evident in his stance.


    “It’s all part of the job,” Gwendolyn replied. “Make sure she gets the care she needs.”


    “Of course.” Derrick’s gaze lingered on Gwendolyn, taking in the curves of her face, but she just turned


    and walked away.


    As she passed the nurse’s station, the young nurse, Sandra, gave her a thumbs–up. “Gwen, you’re


    amazing. If things had gone south today, the Lopez family is not one you want as an enemy.” She


    stepped out from behind the counter and handed Gwendolyn a chocte. “Half the credit goes to you


    for assisting me,” Gwendolyn said, leaning against the wall and sharing the chocte with her.


    Sandra waved her off. “Don’t mention it.”


    Leaning in close, Sandra whispered excitedly. “Those two in the room, Derrick and Magnolia, they’re


    the parents of Sanford, the director of our hospital. When Derrick, a nobody back then, married


    Magnolia, the jewel of the Lopez family, it was the talk of the town. With the Lopez family’s backing, the


    Hamilton family rose to prominence here in Bayridge City.”


    “You and your gossip,” Gwendolyn chuckled, peeling her chocte.


    “There’s more. Mr. Hamilton is known for his integrity, respect for his elders, and love for his siblings.


    He has twin siblings. And his younger sister is the treasured gem of the Lopez and Hamilton families.


    She used toe to the hospital to see him often. A gorgeous girl.”


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    Sandra studied Gwendolyn intently. “You know what? You look like her, but you’re even. prettier!”


    “Don’t be silly.”


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    Come on, you’re famously beautiful in our rehab department.” Sandra reached under the counter and


    pulled out an elegant gift box. “You must have dropped this during the


    emergency. I kept it safe for you.”


    Thanks!” Gwendolyn took the box. It was the birthday gift she had intended for Howard.


    “I gotta go.


    Back in room 2103, Magnolia fed Eve medicine, a thoughtful look on her face. “Mom, you think Dr.


    Quigley looks like me? What a coincidence.”


    “It is fate,” Eve mused, her mind drifting back. “Twenty–two years ago, you and our maid gave birth on


    the same day. Such a coincidence, but sadly, her daughter didn’t make it, and then she vanished


    without a trace.”


    Unintentional words could sometimes strike deep chords, and Derrick, standing to the side, felt a flicker


    of guilt before quickly regaining hisposure. He knew the secrets of the past would remain buried.


    After all, he had been careful, leaving no trace behind.


    With a forced smile, he said, “Eve, it’s been long. I’m surprised you even remember. By the way, is Dr.


    Quigley an orphan?”


    “No, she has a family,” Eve said, her heart heavy. “She’s the girl from the Sawyer family who was


    married off to the second son of the Chadwick family to bring him luck. She’s Howard’s wife.”


    “Magnolia was stunned. “It’s her?”


    And Derrick felt even more relieved. There were so many look–alikes in the world. There was no need


    for him to panic.


    No one would ever discover what he had done all those years ago.