One week after the gossip incident at the office.
Emma was at home. Emma was cleaning the house. The big and luxurious house belonging to Marcus.
Emma's phone rang.
Emma looked at the number calling. It was from the hospital.
Emma's heart immediately sank.
"Hello?" answered Emma quickly.
"Ms. Emma?" a woman's voice from the hospital sounded. "This is from Heart Care Medical Center. I want to inform you that Lily is allowed to go home today. Her condition is stable. The doctor is ready with the surgery schedule for next week."
Emma felt relieved.
"Okay. Thank you," answered Emma. "I will pick up Lily today as well."
Emma hung up the phone.
Emma sat for a moment. Emma thought about Lily. Lily who was waiting for surgery.
Surgery that would save Lily's life.
That afternoon, Emma went to the hospital.
Emma brought a thick envelope. The envelope contained 37,500 dollars in cash.
Money from Marcus. Money for Lily's surgery.
Marcus had said he would pay for all of Lily's surgery costs. But Emma wanted to go directly to the hospital and confirm that the money had been received.
Emma took a taxi. Emma went to the hospital.
At the hospital.
Emma entered Lily's recovery room.
Lily was still sleeping. Lily's face was pale. Lily's body looked weak.
But Lily had left the ICU. That was good news.
Emma sat beside the bed.
Emma looked at Lily's sleeping face.
Emma wanted to cry. But Emma held back the tears.
Lily woke up.
Lily saw her sister.
"Sister," whispered Lily in a weak voice.
"Yes, sweetie. Sister is here," answered Emma. Emma held Lily's hand. Lily's hand was small and warm.
"Sister... Do I still have to have surgery?" asked Lily fearfully.
"Yes, sweetie. But it will make Lily's heart healthier. After surgery, Lily can play like other children," answered Emma.
Lily closed her eyes. Lily seemed to accept the situation.
Emma went to the hospital information desk.
Emma spoke with the administrative staff.
"I want to pay for Lily's surgery costs," said Emma.
The staff looked at the data. "Oh, Ms. Emma. Lily's surgery costs have been fully covered by a sponsor."
Emma was shocked.
"A sponsor?" asked Emma.
"Yes. Marcus Harrison. He has already transferred funds for Lily's surgery. All costs are already secure," answered the staff.
Emma felt something move in her chest.
Marcus already paid. Marcus already handled everything.
"Okay," answered Emma softly. "Thank you."
Emma returned to Lily's room.
Emma sat beside the bed.
Emma looked at Lily who was awake and a bit more refreshed.
"Lily, what's wrong? Is there anything you want to eat?" asked Emma.
"Sister... who is Marcus?" asked Lily.
Emma felt tense.
"Marcus is... a friend of sister's," answered Emma. Emma still used the lie like before.
"A friend?" asked Lily. "But Marcus lives in the house with Sister. And Marcus gave all that for me."
Lily looked at Emma's hands.
"Sister has a ring on her hand. A pretty ring. Sister said it's from Marcus," continued Lily.
Ring. Wedding ring. Emma was still wearing her wedding ring on her finger.
"Yes," answered Emma slowly.
"So Marcus is Sister's husband?" asked Lily with a puzzled face.
Emma didn't know what to answer.
Emma didn't want to lie. But Emma also didn't want to tell the truth.
"Marcus is a very good person for me and Lily," answered Emma finally. "Marcus is someone important to us."
Lily thought about that answer.
"Does Marcus love Sister?" asked Lily innocently.
That question made Emma's heart race.
Does Marcus love Emma?
Emma didn't know the answer.
"Marcus cares very much for me and Lily," answered Emma. "And that is enough for sister."
"Oh," said Lily. "But Marcus is very kind, Sister. Marcus always asks what Lily needs. Marcus never gets angry. Marcus always smiles."
Emma looked at Lily with surprise.
Marcus smiles?
Marcus never smiled when Emma saw him.
But maybe Marcus was different when with Lily.
"Marcus loves Lily very much?" asked Emma.
"Yes. Marcus is kind. Marcus is like... like a Father that Lily never knew," answered Lily innocently.
Emma felt her eyes get watery.
Emma didn't know that Marcus could be like that with Lily.
Emma didn't know that Marcus could become a father figure for Lily.
Evening continued.
Emma accompanied Lily until Lily fell asleep.
Emma left the hospital at 7 PM.
Emma came home to Marcus's house.
The big and luxurious house.
The house that was now also Emma's home.
Marcus had come home earlier. Marcus sat in the living room while reading.
"Emma is home," said Marcus.
"Yes," answered Emma. "I just came back from the hospital."
"How is Lily?" asked Marcus.
"Lily is good. Lily is allowed to go home. Surgery will be done next week," answered Emma.
"Good," said Marcus. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes. Everything is ready," answered Emma.
Emma sat on the sofa near Marcus.
Emma didn't know what to say.
But Emma had to say something.
"Marcus..." said Emma.
"What?" asked Marcus.
"Thank you. For Lily's surgery costs. The hospital said you already paid for everything," said Emma.
Marcus didn't look at Emma.
"That is part of our contract," answered Marcus like usual.
But Emma knew something was different.
"And... thank you also because Marcus is kind to Lily," continued Emma.
Marcus finally looked at Emma.
"Lily is your sister. Lily is part of my family now," said Marcus.
Family.
Marcus said "my family now".
Emma felt something move again in her chest.
That night.
Emma in her own room.
Emma lay in bed.
Emma thought about what Lily said.
"Marcus is like... like a Father that Lily never knew."
Emma thought about Marcus protecting her at the office.
Emma thought about Marcus cancelling a meeting to go to Lily's check-up.
Emma thought about Marcus smiling.
Emma thought about Marcus saying "my family now".
Something was changing.
Not just in Marcus.
But also in Emma.
Emma was beginning to feel something that wasn't planned in the contract.
Emma was beginning to feel something that is called a feeling.
A feeling that Emma didn't know the name of.
A feeling that felt strange. But warm.
A feeling that made Emma afraid and happy at the same time.