Chapter 2: He’s the Devoted One, I’m the Backup
fionya’s temper flared. There are a hundred hospitals in Chicago. Why this one? And why me?”
The next morning Seraphina still came.
Paparazzi swarmed her as she stepped out of her car. Luckily, the hospital had security on standby, and Julian was there
shield her, pushing their way inside. Sonya had already assigned the case to another OB–GYN, but Seraphina insisted they were friends, so the director personally called Sonya back
The prenatal checkup went smoothly; everything, looked normal.
The gestational age should be ten weeks and three days. Since it’s the first checkup, we need to process the prenatal records,” Sonya said, turning from the computer screen to Julian. Check the wall behind you and follow the instructions.”
Julian glanced at it and
grimaced. “You
do
- it. I’ll stay with Seraphina.” Sonya lowered her eyes. “Sorry, the forms need to be completed by Miss West herself or her family member. I’m
doctor, not a clerk.”
“Sonya, don’t you see Seraphina needs me? Can’t you just give us hand?”
“If I give a hand to every patient, I’d spend my day running errands.”
Julian’s brow furrowed. “You…”
“Next one!”
Before Julian could respond, Seraphina stopped him.
“Sonya, don’t worry. I won’t be a burden to Julian, so please don’t be mad at me.”
Sonya looked at Seraphina. For fifteen years, she’d been Julian’s friend, keeping him at arm’s length and pulling him back when he tried to move on. She knew Julian had a girlfriend, yet she readily accepted his affections and devotion, telling everyone they were just friends.
Sonya responded flatly, “He’s your fiancé. Isn’t it normal for you to ask for his help? Why would I be mad?
“Is it because of me? Did you two have a fight?”
“We didn’t fight. We broke up.”
“Sonya, you’ve misunderstood Julian. He was just trying to help me.”
Sonya raised her hand to stop Seraphina. “You’re not that important. We didn’t break. up of you.”
because
“Sonya, how dare you talk to Seraphina like that! Apologize to her!” Julian shouted.
Sonya, who had been putting up with this, finally snapped.
“Get out!”
Because of the “unprofessional‘ attitude, Sonya was reported. Julian made the complaint call right in front of her.
As soon as they left, she was summoned to the director’s office.
“You know this hospital belongs to Jennings Medical Group, right?”
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hanya Sony remained silent, of course, she knew that
And the two people you just saw were Seraphins West, an A–list actress, and Julian Jennings, the heir to the Jennings empire, the director said, hoping she’d realize the gravity of her mistake
“So?” Sonya asked, hands in her pockets.
The director slammed his fist on the desk Sonys, let me ask you one question: Do you will want
to work here?
If you’re firing me only because I said no to Mr. Jennings unreasonable request, I believe I am entitled to dispute it through proper channels!
“You… you’re so young. He’s Julian Jennings, and you’re just a small–time doctor. You can’t afford to offend him?”
“My patients are waiting for me. Director, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna get back to work” “You…. you’re so stubborn!” Seeing her about to leave, the director called out, “One more thing Miss West trusts you, but she’s not comfortable coming to the hospital. You’ll be her primary physician and provide home visits.”
“I refuse!”
You have no choice!”
Back in her office, Sonya’s emotions raged. She couldn’t understand why Julian treated her this
way.
For eight years, she had loved him wholeheartedly. Did her love make her deserving of his abuse?
Here’s the paperwork.”
Julian and Seraphina returned, showing no remorse whatsoever. That was really surprising. Sonya gave a wry smile, calmly accepting the forms and entering the information into the
computer.
The instructions for pregnant women are in the booklet. Please read it carefully. I’ll note the next checkup date in here; remember to come back. She wrote the date in the booklet.
“Seraphina’s busy, and so am I. You need to remind me to bring her in, Julian said.
Sonya paused, writing. “Sorry, I’m probably busier than both of you, and I don’t like to keep track of other people’s schedules.”
“Seraphina’s matters are my matters. My matters are your matters. Just do it, end of discussion.”
“Julian,” Sonya looked up at him. Her emotions were intense, yet suddenly subdued. “I’m saying it again: we’ve broken up. I don’t want to say anything more. You can keep reporting me, but I treat all patients equally in accordance with hospital regulations.”
Julian’s lips tightened. For a moment, he seemed to see a certain determination in Sonya. I’ll remember that.” Seraphina took Julian’s hand, then, with a seemingly generous gesture, she added, “Sonya, I’ll need your help in the coming weeks.”
“No problem, it’s my job.”
“We won’t disturb you any longer.”
“Goodbye.”
Just as they stood up, several paparazzi burst in. Their phones were pointed at Seraphina and
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Julian.
“Miss West, are you and Mr. Liam Stone really just friends? How do you explain your late–night hotel visits?”
“Mr. Jennings, did you really propose to Miss West? Or was it just a publicity stunt?” “Are you two really a couple? Miss West denied it before, saying you two were just good friends.” They surged forward, pushing and shoving.
Julian shielded Seraphina, but they were still jostled.
Security couldn’t get in. Sonya had to come from behind her desk to help Julian protect Seraphina
from harm.
Seeing that, Julian pushed Seraphina towards Sonya.
“Keep her safe!”
With that, he turned to the
paparazzi and
reporters,
roaring, “Get
out!”
They were relentless,
relentless, pushing
pushing their
desperate for way in, desperate
a
juicy story.
Someone jostled up to Seraphina, only to be shoved by others behind them. They kept jostling, and someone was crashing into Seraphina.
Sonya stepped in front of Seraphina, only to be pushed hard herself, her back slamming into the corner of the desk.
“Ouch!”
The pain was already intense, but then Julian, pulling Seraphina, bumped into her again. He back hit the desk corner, and tears welled up in her eyes.
The next second, Julian embraced Seraphina and kissed her…
C
