His jawline grew more defined, his cheekbones more prominent
His thin lips were pressed tightly even in sleep.
His skin had taken on an unhealthy pallor
Kara didn't have the heart to disturb him, so she kept quiet.
But the did not feel sleepy at all.
She had fallen into the habit of ralding trequent naps during the day.This belongs to - ©.
Kira stared up at the ceiling, listening to Austyn's chythmic breathing.
She wondered what happened during the trip.
He said Charlotte's condition had stabilised, but the deep furrow between his eyebrows told a different story.
His exhaustion was more than just physical
Kira wished there was something she could do.
She didn't know when she'd drifted off to sleep
When she woke up the next morning, Austyn had gotten up
He padded out of the bathroom in a towel, looking dean shaven and alert
Kirasat up in bed and feasted her eyes on her husband's toned physique
'Like what you see?" Austys teased her and did a biceps pose like a bodybuilder.
She nodded, smiling. Me likey. It's like looking at the Playboy mag, but for women, and much hotter.!
Austyn frowned. 'Since when did you start reading Playboy?"
'I don't'
Herclassmate Janessa had a huge collection, though
Kira sometimes caught a prek when Janessa brought a copy to school.
"When you're done drooling, go get washed up.' Austyn patted Kira's head. "Elsie has come and knocked twice."
'I'm not drooling!"Kira's hand flew to her mouth.
Else was thrilled to see her young master back.
She heaped his plate with fluffy scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese
Kiraenjoyed her crumpets topped with cream cheese and jam...
The strawberry
was finger-licking good.
Justyn, on the other hand, seemed distracted.
He barely touched his food and kept tapping finger on the table.
Rica could tell ther was something on his mind.
Twenty minutes later, he set down his newspaper and got up from his seat.
Kira followed him with her eyes as he headed into the kitchen.
He was talking to Elsie.
Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!
ISO Of A Father
Kia couldn't catch what Austyn sald, but she saw Elsie burst into tears.
There was a look of shock and utter disbelief on the housekeeper's face
She gripped Austyn's arm and seemed to be seelding confirmation. Austyn.nodded.
Eile wept
Kira guessed Austyn must have given Elsie some pretty bad news
She had an inkling of what it was.
Elsie worked for Charlotte for years
She would have gone with her to South Rockwood, but Charlotte made her stay
When Austyn left Cedarwood Mansion, she left with lim
She must be ecstatic by the news of Charlotte's return, but those were not tears of joy Kira saw,
Elsie look devastated.
The sinking feeling in Kira's stomach grew stronger.
Austyn had relayed Charlotte's message.
Elsie was more than just a housekeeper to her.
They were condantes..
Charlotte wanted to see her old friend one last time before she passed.
Elsle cried for a whole hour
Then she took off her apron and got dressed in her Sunday best...
The trio went to Stamford General, all with a heavy heart.
Elsie dissolved into tears again wlun she caught sight of Charlotte's emaciated figure on the bed. 'Madam!"
Charlotte looked up and smiled wealdy at her. "Hi, Elsie. It's been such a long time."
Kira Look Austyn by the elbow and led him out of the room. We should give them some privacy."
They sat down on a bench in the hallway outside.
Kiza rested her head on Austyn's shoulder.
She asked softly, 'Charlotte's not getting better, is she?'
Austyn's body stiffened.
He lowered his eyes, staring at Kira's fingers interlaced with his 'No, she isn't.'
De Manning said that without a heart transplant, she had two weeks, four tops.
Normally, a patient suffering from multiple organ dysfunction syndromes would experience respiratory failure first, which could be slowed down by putting the patient on a ventilator.
But Charlotte's heart was giving out.
Kiraheard the gdef and anguish in his voice.
She squeezed his hand. 'Is there anything the doctors can do? Treatments, drugs? Even experimental ones? Medical sciences advance so fast. There are breakthroughs almost every month. There has to be something they can do, right? Charlotte was in her fifties, just a few years older than Kira's dad.
She was such a gentle, kind, lovely soul.
How could fatebe so cruel?
Austyn closed his eyes. "They've tried everything
He would have given his own heart if it were a match.
"What about chemotherapy?"
iche doesn't have cancer
Kira sat up straighter. I still don't quite understand what her her illness is."
Austyn riplained MODS to her,
So there's rune?" Kira's eyes were wide open.
"There na'),' Auchyni said. "It can only be treated, but not cured":
"What.. what caused it?!
Austyn clenched his jaw