The Second Marriage Chance

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“Wait, what?” Ethan’s call took me by surprise as he relayed that Sarah was at Highland Hills with bodyguard Josh.

I’m puzzled because Alex got reassurance from Josh that everything was fine. He’s supposedly with Sarah-unless they’re both in Highland Hills.

“Yeah, I saw Sarah. She didn’t notice me; she seemed preoccupied with work. She was at the coffee shop with your bodyguard,” Ethan added.

My fist tightened with frustration. That woman is brazenly pushing boundaries with every step she takes.

“I also found out why she’s here. Apparently, she had some medication checked at the laboratory,” Ethan explained.

“Medication?” I furrowed my brow in confusion.

“Yes. I’m unsure whose medication it is or why she chose to have it checked here in Highland Hills when there are larger hospitals in Henderson. Maybe the medication originated from here?” Ethan speculated.

I massaged my temples, feeling the onset of a pounding headache courtesy of Sarah’s antics.

Damn it! The thought of Sarah being close to my bodyguard and the reason why Josh is keeping things from me is getting on my nerves.

“Get me those results. I need to know what’s going on with that medicine. I’m heading to Highland Hills to follow Sarah!”

“Hmm… I thought your ex-wife meant nothing to you,” Ethan teased, prompting a frown from me.

With no intention of elaborating, I requested, “Just do it for me, please.”

“Fine, fine,” Ethan relented.

After ending my conversation with Ethan, I bid Megan goodbye. I explained that I needed to return to Highland Hills.

“What?” Megan exclaimed angrily. “You’re leaving me alone at the event?”

Though technically unnecessary, I understood her frustration due to our prior agreement to attend together. “Megan, I’m sorry. I need to take care of something. I must go.”

“Philip!” As I walked away, Megan called out my name in frustration.

“To the airport,” I instructed my driver before contacting Alex for pickup. I resolved to have the award I was meant to receive sent to me or delegated to Megan. At the same time, I sought answers regarding Sarah’s sudden appearance in Highland Hills.

Yet, the revelations awaiting me surprised even my expectations.

***

Sarah

Just as I feared, there’s a threat on my life, and Dr. Morgan seems to be implicated. The laboratory report in my hands threatens to unleash a torrent of emotions. Yet, I must maintain composure in this suffocating situation.

Could the perpetrator be Serena Blake? The benefactor who consistently supports Dr. Morgan financially? Who could she be?

The motive remains a mystery, hinging on any connection I might have with Serena.

“Madam Sarah, are you alright?” Josh’s voice felt distant as he steadied me, offering water to help steady my nerves. “Take deep breaths, try to calm yourself.”

My trembling lips betrayed my inner turmoil. I longed for the comforting familiarity of Dr. Morgan’s prescribed medication, yet hesitated to reach for it now that the truth lay bare in my hands.

“I-I’ll manage,” I forced out through clenched teeth.

Soon, Jakob’s call snapped me back to reality. I needed to gather myself to confront Dr. Morgan. Giving in to despair was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

“Hello!”

“I’ve tapped into the hospital’s security feed. I’m watching you as we speak,” Jakob’s voice crackled over the line.

Raising my gaze, I met the unblinking lens of the surveillance camera mounted overhead.

“Wait a sec. How? Jakob, you know that’s against the law,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice down. It’s tough when anyone might overhear.

“Easy… Remember Dredd? The guy I often chat with? He’s the one who upgraded the security cameras in that hospital. Well, he hooked up the hospital’s security system for me. He gave me an hour to snoop around.” Jakob’s amusement was evident in his voice.

“So, you’re saying you have permission?” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

“You got it, doll! Anyway, Dr. Morgan and Serena Blake are in clinic A. But the person with the doctor has her back to the camera, so I need to be more knowledgeable. I just got permission now, so apologies if I’m a bit behind schedule.”

“No worries. How do I get to clinic A?” I inquired, relying on his guidance.

Jakob provided directions, which I followed while keeping him on the line. Tailing behind me, silent as a shadow, was the bodyguard, Josh.

As I approached clinic A, I noticed a male nurse or assistant stationed outside.

“I need to divert the nurse’s attention. Can you help me lure him away from his post?” I doubted he’d let me enter into the clinic.

“Piece of cake!” Jakob assured me. It only took him three minutes before the nurse’s phone started ringing. Soon enough, the nurse sprang up from his chair, looking flustered.

“What did you tell him?” I asked Jakob.

The nurse hurried past me and Josh, darting by with a visible unease in his demeanor.

“I simply informed him that someone had hit his parked car outside. Since he only borrowed it, I figured he’d be eager to check on the damage,” Jakob replied.

“Impressive!” I remarked with a grimace before striding purposefully toward the clinic’s door. “We’ll catch up later,” I said before hanging up.

Silently, the bodyguard trailed behind me as I swung the door open, drawing the attention of the two figures inside.

Encountering Madam Cornell, my ex-mother-in-law, didn’t catch me off guard. She met my gaze with a steely resolve while Dr. Morgan’s eyes widened in shock.

“M-Ms. Mitchell? W-what brings you here?” Dr. Morgan’s voice faltered.

I shot a narrowed glance at Philip’s mother, recognizing her as Serena Blake, though I kept that knowledge to myself, aware that revealing it would betray my investigation of the doctor.

With a scowl etched deep into my features, I spoke bitterly, “Did you order Dr. Morgan to alter my medication? Medication for heart disease?” I accused, then directed my gaze to the doctor, whose eyes flickered uneasily.

Madam Cornell smirked, retrieving a cigarette and lighting it. “So, you’ve uncovered the truth. Yes, I instructed Dr. Morgan to manipulate your medication. I anticipated that you’d only have a year left in this world, continuing to take those drugs-medication for a lunatic!”

I shot a glare at her. “Medicine for psychosis? Between the two of us, you should be the one taking that medicine because you’re a crazy old woman!” I snapped.

“Ms. Mitchell, who do you think you are? You’re just Mr. Benner’s mistress! You wouldn’t be able to afford my doctor’s fee if it weren’t for Mr. Benner! It’s your fault for whatever’s happening to you! Don’t blame us!” the doctor’s words stung, igniting my fury.

My hands balled into fists. “You’ll face the consequences for manipulating my medicine!”

“This bitch!” The doctor cursed.

“Tsk, tsk, Don’t bother with her. It’s good that she knows the truth,” Madam Cornell remarked to Dr. Morgan. “Sarah, isn’t it true that you went crazy in the past year? Didn’t you go through depression? Here you are, still grieving,” she said, gesturing towards my black attire.

Tears welled up despite my efforts to hold them back; a mix of anger and pain flooded through me. Her words cut deep, resonating with the lingering ache in my heart from the loss of my baby.

“I don’t remember having any fault with you, Madam Cornell! As far as I know, I was a good wife to Philip!”

“I don’t need to explain myself to you, Sarah! You are just dirt!”

The door flew open with force, causing me to flinch. I expected it to be the nurse entering, but the voice that filled the room belonged to someone unexpected.

“What’s going on here?!” Philip demanded, breaking the tense silence.

Glancing at him, I couldn’t help but wonder why he wasn’t at the banquet as planned. Frustration surged within me, threatening to consume my composure. With a piercing glare, I locked eyes with him. A piece of paper clutched his hand, with Dr. Ethan Vanderbilt trailing behind him.

“What’s the meaning of this, Sarah?” Philip’s voice carried a mix of concern and accusation as he waved the paper in the air. What medicines have you tested? Are these the same ones I’ve seen you taking before?”

A cynical chuckle almost escaped me. Did I really think he wouldn’t learn about today’s test results?

“Philip, let me explain,” Madam Cornell intervened, her voice calm and her demeanor less intimidating. “Sarah… She’s suffering from depression.”

“What?” Philip’s incredulity was palpable.

I couldn’t help but be amused by my former mother-in-law’s storytelling abilities. But what truly baffled me was Philip’s apparent cluelessness.

Or perhaps he’s just pretending not to know?

I hesitated to trust Philip again, fearing another deception.

My gaze shifted back to Serena Blake, or Madam Cornell as she preferred to be called. It seemed inevitable that I would distance myself from her. Even in Dubai, she continued to manipulate me. I must strike back!