Now You Want Me? Too Late

"What? What is he doing with you?" Surprise colored Maya’s tone.

But Evelyn could also sense the anger. She sneered. "Why? Can’t he be with me? He took a day off for me and Leo."

Maya fell silent momentarily. "Miss Evelyn, please give the phone to Ian. There is an emergency at the hospital. We need him."

Evelyn glanced at Ian.

He had paused while playing with Leo and was now looking in her direction.

"He took a day off," she said firmly. "He isn’t coming. You should contact another doctor."

"Miss Evelyn, you don’t understand the situation. The patient is in critical condition and needs immediate surgery."

Evelyn’s patience snapped. "Is Ian the only doctor in the hospital? Why can’t someone else handle the patient?"

Her voice was loud enough to catch Ian’s attention. He stopped running and frowned as he looked back at her.

"Daddy. Catch it." Leo threw the ball toward him.

Ian turned just in time to see it flying toward his face.

Thud

The ball hit him squarely on the head.

Leo burst into laughter. "You failed to catch it."

"Yeah, I failed." Ian laughed softly as he picked up the ball. He handed it back to Leo. "Play by yourself. Let me check on your mother."

He walked toward Evelyn.

On the phone, Maya quickly explained, "Ian is the chief surgeon in the neuro department. He is more experienced than anyone else here. The patient’s family specifically requested him to perform the surgery. Please give him the phone. Every second counts."

"You..."

"Who is it?" Ian’s voice came from behind her before Evelyn could finish.

She looked up. Her mouth twisted. Then she thrust the phone toward him.

"Take it. Dr. Maya is on the line."

She shoved the phone into his hand and stormed away.

Ian watched her retreating form, his eyes narrowing. Pressing the phone against his ear, he said, "Hello."

"Ian, it’s me, Maya..." Maya sounded breathless. "Please come to the hospital right now. We have an emergency here."

The words came out in a rush.

"I know you are on leave, but the patient is a billionaire. His family wants you to operate on him. We need you here."

"Calm down, Maya. Talk to Dr. Grant. He is the senior surgeon in the hospital. He can perform the surgery."

There was stunned silence on the other end. It was the first time Maya had ever heard Ian choose something other than his duty.

And she knew it wasn’t a good sign.

"But the patient’s family specifically wants you," she insisted.

"I’m not available today," Ian said calmly.

"Ian, I didn’t want to trouble you, but things could turn against you if you refuse to come. Are you really willing to jeopardize your career for Evelyn?"

In the past, Ian had never cared about his wife. He had always given his preference to his duty. What had changed now?

Maya grew restless. "You always set an example of prioritizing your duty. Now you are breaking your own rules."

For a few seconds, Ian said nothing. He knew exactly what Maya was implying.

His career had always come first. He had told himself that being a doctor meant sacrifice. But somewhere along the way, he had forgotten that sacrifice was supposed to have a limit.

He had sacrificed his family without even realizing it. And now, he was determined to make amends with Evelyn and Leo.

He had promised Leo a picnic, Evelyn his time. He wasn’t going to break that promise.

"Silence," Ian said sharply, his voice carrying an unfamiliar firmness. "I don’t need you to tell me what I should prioritize."

Maya instantly realized her mistake. "I am sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I am just worried..."

"I don’t need you to worry about me," he interrupted. "I can handle my own decisions. Now put the phone down."

Without waiting for her response, he ended the call.

A few feet away, Evelyn had been watching him.

"Humph." She crossed her arms. "One phone call made him anxious. Now he will leave. He doesn’t care about us."

"Mommy. Is everything okay?"

Evelyn immediately looked down.

The smile had disappeared from Leo’s face. His worried expression made her heart ache.

She crouched in front of him and forced a smile. "Everything is fine. Are you thirsty? Go and have some juice."

"I am not thirsty." He glanced at his father. "Why did Daddy stop playing with me? Is he leaving?"

The worry in his limpid eyes pierced Evelyn’s heart. She took his hands in hers.

"He isn’t leaving. And even if he does, we’ll stay here. We’ll have fun together, just like we always do."

Leo’s smile slowly returned. "Yes. I saw a lake over there." He pointed toward the distance. "I’ll make paper boats and sail them on the water."

Evelyn smiled and gently caressed his hair. "I’ll join you."

She pulled him into her arms, but her gaze drifted toward Ian.

He was still standing a short distance away, his phone pressed to his ear.

Something felt odd.

’Strange,’ she mumbled in her mind. ’Why is he still here?’

She thought he would leave right after hearing about the emergency at the hospital.

’Is he not leaving?’

But she soon discarded the thought as soon as it appeared.

’Why would he stay?’ she scoffed under her breath. ’He will choose his duty eventually.’

Just then, she saw him slipping the phone into his pocket and walking over to them. Her belief only grew firmer.

’That’s it. He is leaving.’

Evelyn thought he was coming to say goodbye to them. She rose to her feet.

’If he leaves today, we are done for good. I’ll never let him come into our lives.’

She met his gaze, her eyes cold and guarded.

Ian stopped right in front of her and smiled. "Are you hungry? "How about we eat first? Then we can explore the place."

Evelyn’s mouth fell open. She blinked several times. "What? Are you staying? What about the hospital emergency?"