anwhile...
Lola had her blood drawn by one of the dical staff assigned to do the tests. Since she and lissa weren’t getting along, they were taken to separate rooms.
"That’s it?" she asked, pressing a cotton ball against the crook of her elbow.
"Yes. The test will be quick. We’ll have the results by morning. We’ll contact you once they’re ready."
Lola offered a small smile and nodded in understanding. As the dical professional gathered her tools and the blood sample, the door quietly opened. Lola turned toward it as an older doctor stepped in.
The man gave his colleague a short nod, allowing her to leave before approaching where Lola sat.
"Doctor Tyler," she called softly when she recognized his familiar face.
Doctor Tyler was one of Loren’s close friends from the past. Back when Loren was ill, hospital visits were frequent, and since Lola had been all Loren had, she’d grown familiar with so doctors and nurses. Tyler was the one she’d been closest to.
The doctor chuckled as he took a seat beside her. "How are you, Lola? It’s been a while."
"Haha." Lola laughed faintly. "Doctor Tyler, I’m sorry I haven’t visited all these years. Things just... the situation didn’t allow to."
They shared a small smile, eyes reflecting old mories.
Looking at her now, the doctor smiled warmly. "You’ve really grown into such a fine young lady," he said with pride. "You truly got your mother’s beauty."
Lola smiled and joked, "How could I have her beauty when I don’t even look like her?"
"No, you do," Doctor Tyler laughed softly. "It’s been a long ti, Lola. How many years has it been since you last visited ?"
"I don’t know, but it’s been years." She rocked her head, huffing as she thought of the past. "I’m sorry I couldn’t stay in touch."
At one point, Lola had secretly wished Doctor Tyler were her father. Unlike Lawrence, who had outright neglected her, this doctor had been different. He always made ti for her—sharing als, checking up on her, and treating her kindly. Loren trusted him deeply, and so did she.
She rembered visiting him years ago before she left Novera, though she hadn’t been able to stay long. Still, she’d left her number, knowing that when she returned, he was one of the few people she truly wanted to see again.
"I was surprised when I saw Lawrence earlier," he said, breaking the quiet. "And I’m glad you’re still using the sa number you gave back then."
"I wouldn’t leave it behind in your office if I planned to change it," she replied.
He smiled wryly. "I’m sorry this is happening, Lola."
"It’s alright, Doctor." She shook her head. "Our family... has always been tumultuous. I just didn’t expect him to try to take his own life. It was sothing I never thought he’d do. But I guess... everyone has their breaking point."
Her eyes lowered as she thought about Lawrence. It wasn’t sadness or guilt that flickered in them—it was confusion.
Her lips quivered as a bitter laugh escaped. "Does that an they’ve been trying to kill all this ti?" she whispered, the words heavy with irony rather than sorrow.
This act—this attempt—felt more like a slap to her face.
This family, every single mber of it, had done everything to bring her down. From childhood until now, they’d made her suffer. And now that she’d finally fought back, they wanted to take the easy way out because they couldn’t handle the consequences.
Wasn’t that insulting?
She barely did anything, and they couldn’t take it anymore. Yet, she was expected to tolerate and endure everything else.
Her thoughts stopped when Doctor Tyler reached out and held her hand. He offered a small, reassuring smile.
"If Loren were here, she would tell you—it’s not your fault," he said gently. "None of this is your fault."
The two shared a quiet, genuine smile, and she answered, "I’m sure she would."
*****
Lola didn’t stay long; Doctor Tyler was still on duty. Besides, she didn’t plan to linger. She wasn’t going to pretend to be worried about Lawrence because she wasn’t.
All she wanted was for him to live. Dying would be too easy.
"Who is he?" was Atlas’s first question when she got in the car. His eyes drifted to the window behind her, where he could see Doctor Tyler standing outside the hospital.
"Ahh. That’s Doctor Tyler," Lola looked back and smiled. "He’s my mom’s close friend."
When she turned to Atlas, he was still watching the doctor. "Is that so?"
"Why?" she teased lightly. "Jealous?"
"No."
She chuckled, but instead of teasing further, she leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around him. The gesture made him raise a brow, but he quietly placed his hand over hers and tapped it gently.
"I followed you," he said in a low voice.
"I know you would," she replied with a wry smile. "That’s why I felt safe doing what I did. I know you’ll protect even when I say no."
A comfortable silence settled between them. It wasn’t heavy, just peaceful. In that quiet mont, she realized Atlas was her safe place. For the first ti in a long while, she didn’t feel alone.
"They said we’ll know the results tomorrow," she murmured. "They gave it priority, so there’s a chance I’ll hear back sooner."
"Nervous?"
"Why would I be?" she exhaled softly, looking up at him. "Though I hope lissa or I is a match. That way, he can live longer. Lawrence can’t die yet."
Atlas stayed quiet, watching her carefully. "Did he really try to kill himself?"
"Who knows?" she whispered. "He probably couldn’t take that LL Construction is gone."
But Atlas wasn’t convinced.
A man who’d clawed his way up from poverty wouldn’t throw his life away over a business loss, he thought. Still, he kept that to himself, just holding her while she vented.
*****
Throughout the night, Lola barely slept as she waited for the result. She couldn’t even understand herself. So when her phone rang at five in the morning, she imdiately checked the ssage.
"Huh?" she murmured, brows knitting.
Atlas stirred beside her, his voice rough with sleep. "Did you get the results?"
"Mhm." She nodded, lips pressed into a thin line. "I’m not a match."
"Oh?"
Lola then gazed at him. "But lissa is."
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