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Hazel is a medical student. Bachelor in science, who is constantly juggling between the demands for these studies and pressures for clinical rotations, she has learned to keep her head down and eyes for...
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I sat in the small café, my fingers wrapping around the cup of coffee maybe a little too tightly.
It's been only a few hours since I've been back in LA, and I just awaited the meeting with my father.
My heart was pounding, anticipation welling in my chest. It had been so long since I had seen him, and after everything I had learned, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
The door jingled, and looking up, there he was—older, worn down by time, yet still my father.
He came towards me with heaviness in his step as if he carried the weight of the world upon his shoulders. I rose, not knowing exactly how to greet him; he pulled me into a brief hug and then sat down.
We didn't say much for the first couple of minutes. The silence between us was thick, and neither of us knew how to initiate the talk. He broke the silence first.
"Hazel... I know I'm the last person you want to see, but you need to know this," he said hoarsely, his eyes searching mine. "Marcus, be careful with that man, Hazel. He's not just some lawyer trying to make things right. He's involved."
My heart caught in my throat. "What do you mean? Involved in what?
My father leaned over and whispered, "Marcus has been running this adoption ring for years. Clark's Hospital has been playing a very important role in facilitating these adoptions, making them legitimate on paper but dirty."
I leaned back, trying to comprehend what he was telling me.
"And your involvement?" I barely whispered.He turned away, guilt stamped on his face.
"I didn't know what I was getting into at first. By the time I did, I was in too deep. But Marcus... he's dangerous, Hazel. He'll stop at nothing to protect himself."
I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't know what to think. I didn't know who to trust. This was getting tangled. Has Marcus really fooled everyone, making himself out to be the guy cleaning up after someone else's mess?
I glared at him, my anger bubbling just below the surface. "You could've told me all of this sooner. You could've stopped all of this before it got this far."
"I tried to tell you, Hazel, but you didn't listen," he pressed on, his voice quivering. "I didn't want you to get involved like this."
"I'm in it, likе it or not. And now here you are telling me the mastermind behind it all was Marcus? How do I know that you're not just trying to save your ass?"
His face contorted in a mixture of guilt and frustration. "I'm not trying to save myself, Hazel. I'm telling you the truth. Marcus is dangerous, and he will do whatever it takes to protect himself and his legacy. I made mistakes, but I don't want you caught in the crossfire."
I stared at him, my emotions a chaotic mess. "And I'm supposed to believe you now? After everything?"
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, eyes flicking to the side as if even speaking the words might bring trouble. Then he let out a deep sigh, rubbing his hands before leaning closer to me and lowering his voice."It started small," he began, and already his voice was heavy with regret. "Initially, it was only a couple of cases; there were children who needed homes and parents who couldn't look after them. On paper, it looked aboveboard: the Hospital would step in and facilitate between adoptive parents and these kids. It seemed like we were helping, but it wasn't long before I realized something was wrong."
