Book Two in the "Alcaraz Duology"
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Catalina Alcaraz is a single mother with a past that she doesn't wish to revisit. She has managed to become a successful doctor and to create a life of her own desp...
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I make it onto the floor of the hospital that Catalina is in and from a distance I see Irma and Alberto. The closer I get, I realize that they seem to be arguing.
"I love her, but she wants nothing to do with me. I'm sure she wouldn't want to see me when she wakes up. Please just let her know how much I love her and that I hope she gets better." Alberto tells his wife, kisses her on the forehead, and walks past me to leave.
Ace and Lucia then appear with a lot of cups of coffee. When my presence is known, they hand me one.
"Has she woken up yet?" I ask, taking a seat.
I left last night to clean up and rest. I also wanted to take the opportunity to begin searching for the Astors. I've been calling in for updates on Catalina all morning, but I have gotten tired of being so far away from her, so I decided to come accompany her mother and Lucia until she wakes up.
"She hasn't but the doctor said she should wake up before night." Irma informs me.
"She is going to be okay." Lucia assures, giving me a small smile.
"Marco, why don't you and Lucia go eat something? It's late and neither of you have eaten since the morning." Irma suddenly makes the suggestion, and Ace nods in agreement.
"Do you want us to bring you something?" Lucia takes hold of Ace's arm.
"No, I'm fine. I'll have something later." Irma assures.
I can see that she is clearly trying to get them to go away with the intention of talking to me. They definitely notice that too, so they don't ask questions.
"I have men around the hospital in case of anything." Marco informs me before leaving. "We'll talk about the Astors later."
I nod, and then I'm left alone with Irma.
She speaks after a few moments. "I never liked that family, but I always put up with them because of Catalina. You have no idea how relieved I was when Catalina finally left that man, and how much more at ease I felt when he and his family disappeared."
There is a guilty expression on her face. "I never thought that her relationship with that man would lead to this. I knew it wouldn't last but I didn't think he was capable of hurting her in such a way. Especially, since she is the mother of his son. If I would have known, I would have been against them then even if it would have bothered her."
"It isn't your fault or anybody's." I assure her. "That whole family is sick in the head. Kane, mostly."
She nods and smiles slightly. "How is my little Orion? It feels like it's been ages since I've last seen him. I miss him."
"He's being treated like a king." At the mention of the kid, a smile appears on my lips.
"He's very spoiled and it makes me happy. My grandson is a smart, respectful, and sweet kid. He deserves it all and more." She also smiles at the thought of him.
