Chapter 69 Someone in His Heart
“Sorry…” George’s voice was low, his frown deepening.
“Thanks,” Athena replied with a soft smile, though a touch of confusion clouded her eyes. “When did you come back?”
“Last month.” George pointed to the name tag on his chest. “I’m a pediatrician now!”
Athena blinked, still unsure. “George, you moved to another country. Why come back to work here?”
George’s face darkened slightly, and for a brief moment, he hesitated. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her the real reason. “It’s for the development of Mailand Pediatrics,” he said, the words tasting bitter in his mouth. He rubbed her head affectionately, trying to brush away the discomfort. “Are you free at noon? I’ll treat you to lunch.”
Athena glanced at the time. It had been a long morning, filled with checkups, waiting for results, and doctor visits. The clock was now edging towards noon. “Okay,” she said with a smile.
George excused himself to change into his own clothes, leaving Athena to wait alone. She was just outside the pediatrics area. As she waited, she overheard the nurses gossiping as they passed by, their voices full of admiration.
“Dr. Klein is really handsome and so gentle! And I heard his family’s pretty well-off.”
“He’s still single! What a bachelor.”
“Did you hear? Dr. Shaw from the Endocrinology Department confessed to Dr. Klein yesterday, but he turned her down.”
“What? Dr. Shaw is so beautiful!”
“Well, I heard Dr. Klein has someone in his heart. He came back to Mailand for her!”
Athena’s heart skipped a beat. Someone in his heart? The idea echoed in her mind.
The person who had made George leave his successful career overseas for her… she had to be someone truly special.
Her curiosity piqued, Athena wondered who this mysterious girl was. Would George ever tell her about her?
Just then, she snapped back to reality as George appeared in front of her, interrupting her thoughts.
“What are you thinking?” He smiled teasingly, his clean, slender hands resting behind his back. His clothes—gray jacket, white shirt, black trousers—made him look effortlessly tall and handsome. He leaned forward, bending down to meet her eye level. “Still daydreaming like when we were kids?”
Athena smirked, shaking her head. “A crow can never become whiter by washing itself too much.”
The playful exchange caught the attention of a couple of nurses at the reception desk, who watched with interest. Athena ignored them, turning to walk toward the stairs.
George followed behind her, his eyes studying her slender figure as she moved ahead. He couldn’t help but notice how different she looked now. She used to be chubby when she was younger. Why is she so thin now? Is she not doing well?
His thoughts darkened, and he found himself wondering if Athena’s life was difficult. Was her husband neglecting her?
George drove Athena to Hugo Alley, where they used to go for lunch when they were kids. The small restaurant they used to love was still there, and George smiled as he parked the car. “I remember you always loved their beef.”
They walked into the familiar, cozy eatery. The owner—now a young man in his early thirties—greeted them warmly. George explained, “The old couple who ran the place retired, and their grandson took over.”
Athena nodded, appreciating the nostalgia that filled the air.
After they ordered, George glanced at her, his expression softening. “Athena, I didn’t ask you earlier—how have you been?”
Athena hesitated, feeling a strange twinge of unease. She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. “I’m fine,” she replied, her voice steady but distant.
George’s brow furrowed in concern, and he leaned forward. “Why didn’t your husband come with you for the prenatal checkup?” His tone was gentle but reproachful.
Athena tensed, the topic bringing a painful sting. She didn’t want to talk about it, but George was her old friend, and she could tell him anything. She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “I’m not married,” she said quietly. “I’m still single.”
George froze. The cup in his hand wobbled slightly, almost spilling the coffee. “What? No… how can that be? Did he leave you?” His voice was full of disbelief and concern.
Athena quickly handed him a tissue, trying to ease his shock. “No… it’s not like that,” she murmured.
“Then why?” George asked, his voice deepening with frustration. “Why are you still alone?”
Athena shook her head helplessly. “I’ll tell you about it later, George. Let’s not talk about it right now.”
George’s expression twisted with a mix of anger and worry. “Then what’s your plan now?”
Athena took a sip of her drink, trying to calm the emotions rising within her. “I plan to go to the Amber Postpartum Recovery Center across from your hospital.”
George’s eyes widened in surprise. “Have you really thought this through? It’s not easy being a single mother.”
She shrugged, her gaze steady. “Many women today live like single mothers, even after they get married.”
Her words seemed to strike him deeply, and he stared at her with a complicated expression.
“Don’t frown,” Athena teased, trying to lighten the mood. “You look like a grandpa.”
At that moment, George suddenly stood up, his voice firm. “Athena, marry me.”
Athena nearly choked on her drink, coughing as water splashed across the table. “What?!”
“Calm down!” George panicked, rushing to her side and patting her back gently. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to shock you.”
“George,” Athena stammered, still trying to process what he’d said. “We just reconnected after all these years. You’re asking me to marry you after just an hour and a half?”
George’s expression remained serious. “What’s wrong with that? Are you still hoping to get back with him?”
Athena blurted out, almost without thinking, “Impossible!” She shook her head.
George smiled faintly, his eyes softening. “Then why not? We’ve known each other for so long, and we’re close friends. Who else would be more suitable than me?”