Chapter 45 Is he fit to be their father?
The Hamilton siblings left.
Jack, who had been silent the whole time, turned to Aaron and extended his hand.
"So, you're the famous Mr. Gordon, I've heard a great deal about you. I'm Jack."
"Nice to meet you."
Aaron shook his hand, recognizing him as the man who had picked up Samantha for school that morning.
"So, you're an old friend of Nora's?"
"Yes, Nora and I grew up together; a childhood friendship, you could say."
Jack's smile was warm and measured, but Aaron saw a glint in his eyes that only another man could understand.
Their handshake lingered, the air charged with an odd tension.
"Jack, you must be busy. You should go on with your day," Nora interjected.
Jack released Aaron's hand, his smile still graceful as he nodded to Nora.
"Sure, let me know if you need anything," I offered.
"Mhm," came the brief reply.
Nora watched as Jack walked out the door, silence resettling in the room.
She turned to Aaron. "Mr. Gordon, seems like you've never had amnesia, right?"
He hesitated a moment then nodded. "You're right, I lied to you."
At least now he was being honest.
Nora eyed him. "So, when Lucas first showed up, you already knew who I was?"
After all, Lucas was a distant relative of the Gordon family; Aaron must have been aware.
"Yes," he admitted, not trying to hide it. "Nora, I did lie, but it was a white lie."
"Sure," she said, her voice tinged with indifference. "A man of your standing would naturally fear being taken advantage of if your identity was known. Pretending to have amnesia makes sense."
Aaron's eyebrows knitted together. "I didn't have such intentions."
Nora wasn't convinced. Thinking of Suzy, she asked despite herself, "So, the famous Suzy is your fiancée?"
His brows furrowed even more. "Suzy and I—"
"Forget it, you don't have to explain your personal life to me," Nora cut in, instantly regretting her prying question.
She was only Aaron's doctor; what business did she have with his private affairs?
"Just tell me how you ended up falling off that cliff," she redirected.
His expression cooled. "My life is valuable; it attracts unwanted attention."
Nora's eyes flickered with a hint of concern. "Great, so by saving you, I've invited a whole lot of trouble?"
"That's why you need to get me back on my feet quickly, or I'll just keep imposing on you," Aaron spoke.
Crossing her arms, Nora chuckled. "Mr. Gordon, given the risks of this treatment, how much do you plan to compensate me?"
Aaron's lips parted slightly. "Name your price."
Generous, Mr. Gordon?
Nora threw out a number with a smirk. "I want a billion."
"Agreed."
He didn't even bat an eyelash as he accepted.
Lowering her arms, she ushered him out to the courtyard for some sun. "The rich sure know how to be generous! But don't worry, I won't charge you too much; ten million will do."
As Aaron savored the scent of grass and trees, a smile played on his lips. "Is that a friends and family discount?"
"Yeah, consider it a thank you for helping me out with my kid recently," Nora replied.
He chuckled softly, then after a moment asked, "You and Jack get along well?"
"Yeah, didn't he tell you? We've grown up together, childhood friends," Nora said casually, brushing off the question as she went to tidy up the laundry drying outside.
Aaron watched her retreating figure with an inexplicable irritation simmering within him.
"So, if you had a childhood sweetheart, why'd you end up with Lucas?"
Nora paused in her activity, tossing out a joke. "Blind as a bat! It's a thing with us exceptional women—terrible eyesight."
She harbored no romantic feelings for Jack, so of course, he wasn't the one she'd choose.
"Then after your divorce from Lucas, couldn't you just pick things up where you left off with your childhood friend?" Aaron prodded, masking his probing with casualness, but the twinge of annoyance in him deepened.
Nora turned to look at him. "Mr. Gordon, we aren't close. I don't meddle in your personal business, and I'd appreciate the same courtesy, thank you."
Not close? After he’d seen all of her? How could she call that not close?
...
Elsewhere...
Suzy sat in Howard's car, her mind replaying the scene that had just unfolded.
"Howard, don't you think Aaron's acting a bit different around Nora?"
Howard, driving absentmindedly, let his thoughts drift to Nora's pretty face. She bore a passing resemblance to his mother when she was young.
"Really? I hadn't noticed."
"I'm telling you, he's different with her. I need to check with Noe about her background," Suzy said, pulling out her phone to call Noe.
The call connected quickly. "Miss Hamilton?"
"Yeah, Noe, my brother and I just saw Aaron."
Noe was taken aback, momentarily speechless.
Suzy pressed on. "Noe, I know you're fiercely loyal. Since you trust Nora with Aaron, you must've checked her out. I heard she's got three kids. So, what's her story?"
After a pause, Noe replied honestly, "Miss Hamilton, she's the heiress of Prosperity Corporation and, nominally, Lucas's wife."
What! Suzy was visibly taken aback.
Her status meant she wouldn’t normally pay attention to just any family like the Smiths, but she knew Lucas.
To think Nora was Lucas's actual wife when it was Becky who was now publicly by his side.
"So, are the three kids Lucas's as well?"
"No, the paternity of the children is unknown," Noe replied truthfully.
Suzy had all the information she needed and thanked Noe. Howard, having overheard, scoffed.
"Never would've pegged the good doctor for living so scandalously. Carrying on behind her husband's back with another man, resulting in three kids? Aaron should steer clear of that mess."
Suzy's eyes twinkled, but she remained silent.
A taken woman, trailed by three mystery kids—she posed no real threat to her own standing.
Still, now that she had Aaron's whereabouts, there was no way Suzy would let him linger with Nora alone!
...
Dusk was setting in.
Nora went to pick up her trio from preschool.
"Mommy!"
As the crowd dispersed, three eager little faces sprinted towards Nora.
Her heart softened, and she knelt down to plant a kiss on each of their foreheads.
"Did you guys enjoy your first day at preschool, my little ones?"
"Yes!"
Samantha grabbed Nora's hand, hopping and skipping towards the car.
A boy's voice called from behind, "Samantha, see you tomorrow!"
The foursome turned to see Lucas's son being led by his driver, waving to Samantha.
Samantha just pouted and ignored him.
"Mommy, Michael kept bugging me to play today. I didn't want to, so he went to our teacher asking to be my desk partner."
By the time Nora reached her car, she unlocked the door and strapped the kids inside.
"Did he end up sitting with you?"
Samantha replied, "Nope, big brother said 'no way.' I'm still sitting with Billy."
Nora got into the driver's seat and watched as Lucas's chauffeur placed Michael in the car without another word.
She didn't wish for the sins of the parents to taint the innocence of their children.
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