Chapter Seventy-four Evan Sterling's POV (Present Time)

When a nurse came in to usher Antony and Anastasia Dallas out of the room, Estera flashed a smile in Mary Antoinette's direction and said, "Excuse me, the nurses will come in now to take your vitals and take you for some test. It might take a while so I suggest you consider spending the night."
"I'm ready for whatever you need, Dr. Roberts. Thank you!'
"Good," she said, nodded and turned to leave.
"Doctor, may I have a minute, please--" my mom said and I jerked a gaze in her direction.
"Oh, okay," Estera said and left, my mom followed her and I immediately moved to go after them, trying to brush off Mary Antoinette's plea for me to stay awhile. But in order not to seem too obvious, I went to drop a kiss on her forehead and told her I would only be gone for a minute.
"Thank you for sticking around. I know you don't see eye-to-eye with my father--"
"It's okay, we just do that to keep things interesting." I grinned. She laughed.
"Liar. Thank you anyway. I mean it," she said. I nodded. Withdrawing from her, I left the room. When I got outside, I found the corridor empty. And just at the end of the hallway to the left, I saw Gaius's broad shoulder peeking out on the turning. I knew then that the Dallas' went in that direction. I took the hallway to my right.
At the end of it, just at a corner, I saw my mom, pulling Estera into a hug, and holding her tightly to her chest. I hurried to join them.
"Everything okay here?” I said and my mom pulled back, using her fingers to wipe tears on her face. Estera held my gaze. Her eyes were red and I knew she was fighting back tears.
"Just …. Thanking Dr. Roberts for her professionalism…" she said and her voice broke.
"That's um… nice," I said, still holding Estera's gaze. There was a questioning glint in her eyes and I'm certain she must have noticed how detached I was from my mother's emotional display.
Maybe one day I will learn to forgive what she made me lose, but that day wasn't today.
"Can I speak with you, please," Estera said to me and I nodded.
"I will … um return to … um…" my mom said then rushed away. It was evident she was still crying.
"You seem different with her," Estera said. I shrugged.
"You wanted to talk to me?" I said. She gave me keen scrutiny for about a minute then she nodded.
"I can't talk here…" she said.
"Lead the way…" I replied
"Wouldn't they wonder where you have disappeared to?"
"I suppose they will assume the usual."
"Which is?"
"Work. Is all I have, and they all know it," I said and I saw her eyes cloud with pain or perhaps pity – I couldn’t tell.
She walked ahead of me and I followed. Even though she was wearing her doctor's robe, I couldn't help lowering my eyes down her back. She always made my body hum, it didn’t matter what she wore. I suppose she could wear a sack and I would still get a hard-on, watching her.
After walking down about three long wide corridors and up a few flights of stairs, she opened a door and I saw Foster sitting behind a desk. My entire body revolted at the sight of the fucker. I have no idea why Estera wanted to see me, but now I am apprehensive. I hope to hell it had nothing to do with her relationship with Foster. Because there was no way in hell I was giving up on her.
Foster frowned and stood up. I may not have the ability to read minds, but I could see he wasn't expecting this either.
"Um... Dr. Roberts, Mr. Sterling… Is everything, okay?"
I entered the office and shut the door. The office was spacious and secluded with side couches and no windows except for a glass wall that showed the beautiful view of New York.
The perfect lovers' nest. I shook my head at the thought of the fucker banging my woman in this very room. I glared at him across the room. He gave me an uncomfortable stare.
Estera's pain-filled growl made me look in her direction. She started to pace, running her hands over her face.
"Cole, I can't do it, I can't operate on that woman," Estera said and Foster let out a sigh.
"Of course, you can do it, you are a professional…" he replied. Gosh! I hate this guy. He managed to sound encouraging and inspiring at the same time.
"Why?" I asked. Something told me there was more to this; the way she seemed overly agitated coupled with how pale she was in that room. Estera was not a quitter. She was strong-willed at seventeen. I expected her to be far more formidable now. And I knew her reason could not be because of who Mary Antoinette was. "Why not, Estera?" I repeated.
"Cole, you must know who Evan is--" she said, looking at the other man. Foster nodded.
"Yes," he said.
Then she look at me and said, "I know them, Evan. I know the Dallas'." A deep frown pulled the skin on my forehead. I took a few strides to stand in front of her, reaching out to frame her face.
"Were they with Edward when he tried to … hurt you?"
"No… why are you calling your father by his first name, Evan?"
"Focus, Estera. How did you know them? Cause if they hurt you in any way, I swear it—"
"Evan… you have to calm down and listen to me. Because what I have to say might affect you too."
"What?"
"Can you give her space and let her speak?" Foster said with irritation evident in his voice.
"Please, tell me, why the hell is this guy here?" I said with gritted teeth. Estera gave me a pleading look.
"Baby, please," she whispered, and there was something about the way she said that that got to me. Something was seriously wrong here. Estera was scared—no, she was terrified.
"Tell me…" I urged. She nodded.