THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 51: TWO SIDES TO ACE ATTICUS

Chapter 51: TWO SIDES TO ACE ATTICUS

Ace had found himself calling his mother last night, after dropping off Landon at his house.

Much as he tried, he couldn’t get Sophie out of his head. The same haunting look she had, the twins had when they initially adopted them. Only difference was they were way younger than she was.

He thought himself above these petty human feelings. The only feelings that mattered were the ones that had to do with doing anything you possibly could to stay atop.

Sophie put a temporal halt to that ideology. He called his mum, and they met.

He did wonder a little if she would come see him. But that was his mother, and she let him know to always call even when they were at odds, as soon as she came through.

He told her about Sophie, and her interest was piqued.

"Let’s go see the child tomorrow," she simply said, and that settled everything.

"You can’t just start a process like that without informing us."

He heard Leighton speak, and turned his eyes to her.

"Why can’t I? If a patient isn’t being responsive, shouldn’t you try all means to make her? If that includes strangers, what’s so bad about it?"

"It’s a traumatic response. She had trauma. With time, and a little more medical help, she’ll get over it."

He scoffed. "Medical help? Let me tell you what will happen. At first, it would seem like she’s actually getting over it, but that’s just what she wants you to see, so you’ll stop pumping her full with drugs, and talks about mental health. She’d become reclusive. Keep to herself. Damn, even a little suicidal. That’s not help. It’s pretending to help to fulfill a baseless medical ego," he spat furiously.

Fay was taken aback by the hardness of his voice. It was like he knew what he was saying because he had experienced it. She didn’t know anything about him, so she couldn’t tell what was facts or fiction.

Marilyn and Alice exchanged looks. They were fully aware meeting the girl had taken him down memory lane. He was speaking from a place of experience, and they couldn’t fault him for that.

"I understand what you’re trying to say, Mr Ace," Alexander intruded, because he knew no one else was going to. "But it’s hospital protocol. Before making that decision, you should have informed the chief about it."

"Well he knows now, and I dare anyone to stop me."

A knock sounded on the door, and as it opened up, a woman with the prettiest brunette hair, walked into the room.

She paused, when she saw a girl in Ace’s arms. "Is that her?" Tears welled in her eyes.

"Yes mum. Hey Sophie, that’s my mum."

The little girl twisted around, and discovered a kind looking woman, with the kindest eyes staring at her, a big smile on her really pretty face.

"Good morning Mrs?"

"Gabrielle," she provided her with an answer.

"Good morning Mrs Gabrielle."

"Good morning, munchkin. You’re absolutely adorable, aren’t you?"

"Fay says so." She nodded.

"And she’s absolutely right. Can I hold you?" She asked.

"Okay."

Ace moved her into his mother’s arms, and as soon as Gabrielle wrapped her arms around the little child, she knew she was never letting go.

The air was filled with tension. There were a few sniffles, sighs, and one silent sob. Ace knew that had to be coming from Fay, and as he turned to her, his suspicion was confirmed.

She really did cry about everything. But much to his surprise, he didn’t feel irritated. He understood it. She had done a good job with the child. Even managed to get her to wash, and change her dress. That was genuine kindness. There was no way a woman like that would sell him out.

Once again, his Aunt had turned him into a delusional asshole, and he fell for her manipulations. Didn’t he consider himself smarter than his dad in that regard? How could he even consider that?

Internally, he sighed. He had a lot of making up to do with her.

"Who do I have to talk to, please? I want the girl coming home with me," Gabrielle suddenly said.

"Please, come with me to my office," the chief said, showing himself out of the room.

"I’ll show you his office," Ace offered.

"Who do I leave her with?"

"Fay!" Sophie quickly answered before anyone could say a thing.

"Alright, my love," She moved closer to Fay, and dropped Sophie to her feet in front of her. Before she turned around, she looked up at the woman who had married her son. "Are you going to be fine?" She asked with that kindness in her eyes, Fay saw the very first time she met her. That kindness that wasn’t there the day her aunt interrupted their dinner.

"The doctors said I can be discharged today. I guess I’m fine." Subconsciously, she wrapped an arm around Sophie’s neck, and pulled her to her body.

"You’re going to be fine. And when you’re fully healed, let’s have coffee?"

"I’ll like that a lot." She nodded.

Gabrielle Atticus acknowledged the presence of Marilyn, and Alice, before she turned around, and her son saw her out.

"Hey Sophie," Leighton drew closer to the little girl. "For what it’s what," she began, crouching so she was levelled with her. "I’m glad you were my patient. But not just as a doctor. You were sunshine in most of my dark days in this hospital. If you’re sure you want to go with the Atticus, I’ll ensure its possible. But I’ll miss you a whole lot."

Much to her surprise, Sophie pulled away from Fay, and went in for a hug.

"Oh darling! I thought this would never happen." She cried, holding on to her dearly.

Behind them, Alexander watched Fay. She felt his eyes on her, and raised her head.

"Thank you," she mouthed.

"No. Thank you."

She smiled, and his heart lurched with need. Need so great, it temporarily spunned his vision.

To desire another man’s woman this greatly was never something he thought possible. He was supposed to be morally righteous enough not to even conceive the idea. But he didn’t think Fay was happy with Ace.

Regardless of how much it was masked, theirs wasn’t a love marriage. He was going to prove it, and get Fay to fall for him, one way or the other.

Determination set his jaw into a hard-line.

"Thank you, doctor Xan," he heard a little vice say, and lowered his eyes.

"Xan?" He cocked a brow, but a smile was on his face.

"It’s what doctor nice always calls you," she said innocently.

"Dr Nice? You’re one adorable little girl, aren’t you?"

"Fay says that," she circled back to her response to Gabrielle.

"You’ve made quite an impression on her," he directed at Fay.

"As she has on me."

"I barely could recognize her," Leighton said, wiping her face with a tissue fay handed her. "Her hair changed, new dress too. She’s even eating real food. Thank you so much Fay."

"Everyone’s thanking Fay, but now it’s my turn. I want to thank the universe for sending Dr Alexander my way. We actually met at a restaurant, and I never thought he’d be my doctor. I couldn’t ask for a better one."

"You’re welcome." He courtesied theatrically, making everyone laugh.

"Next, I also want to thank the universe for reconnecting me with Dr Leighton. I hope going on, our relationship blossoms heavily. Thank you for taking care of little Sophie, and even me. You’re the best!" She gave her a thumbs up.

"Now I’m going to hug you." She moved to her and they hugged.

"Most importantly," she continued when they pulled away. "I want to thank Marilyn and Alice," she turned to them. "You two have been absolute angels in my life. I don’t know how I would have survived this ordeal without you two. Thank you so much."

"Oh darling, you are our mistress, but also our baby," Marilyn said.

"You don’t know how long we’ve prayed for sir Ace to bring home a woman like you. We’d do anything to make you happy," Alice said.

"Well that’s a lot of emotions. I’ll leave you girls to it, and go process your discharge documents." Alexander turned around, and walked out of the room.

"What of my thanks?" Sophie suddenly asked.

Fay chuckled, and so did everyone around. "When we’re done eating, you’ll get yours."

"The food will be cold already. I’ll just dish out fresh plates." Alice quickly moved to the table, and picked up the plate. Marilyn joined in to help.

***

Fay was all dressed and ready to leave, when the door opened, and Ace stepped in.

"Hey." He waved.

"Where’s Sophie?" She asked, looking beside him.

"She’s with mum."

"Oh."

"Are you ready to leave?"

"Depends. Are you still mad at me?" There, she said it. After practicing for a while, she had finally asked the big question.

"Come here, Fay." He beckoned.

Her brow lifted, as she approached him. "What is it?"

He pulled her into his arms, and hugged her. "I believe you," he whispered into her ears.