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Bedmates Soulmates novel Chapter 67

A Shoulder To Cry On 

The doctor thought for a moment before answering. The EEGI mean, the electroencephalogram has registered changes in your father’s brain activity. I brought in two other neurologists to consult. We ran some tests. I think, no, we think we have definitely detected signs of consciousness in your father.” 

Kira stared at the doctor blankly

Was she hearing him right

Or was this a dream

Signs of consciousness

Dad was waking up

She could see him open his eyes once again

Hear his voice

Squeeze his hand and have him squeeze hers in return

Kira’s eyes were blurred with tears

Thank youshe wanted to say, but she’d suddenly lost the faculty of speech

Dr Morrison smiled understandingly. ‘Let’s go in to see your father. I’ll explain more.” 

Liam, one hand around her shoulder, gently led her down the corridor

Dr Morrison told Kira that about an hour ago, a nurse was alerted to something unusual on her father’s, EKG monitor

She immediately notified the attending physician

Dr Morrison checked the patient’s vital signs, then he consulted with a fellow neurologist and another pulmonologist, before bringing in a neurosurgeon

We concurred that the signs of consciousness detected are definitive, though we’ll schedule an fMRI, just to be sure,Dr Morrison said. However, we also found something unusual during the examination.What is it?Kira held her breath

Your father registered some pretty strong reactions. His blood pressure and intracranial pressure spiked. His pulse rate briefly shot past 100 bpm. His body temperature and his respiration rate were both way above normal. It’s almost like…. 

Like what?” 

Like he was having a nightmare, though we know he can’t be dreaming, since his brain shows no signs of the normal sleepwake cycle.” 

What could be causing this

Dr Morrison knitted his brows. We’re not entirely sure. There are still a lot of things we don’t know about how the brain works in the case of a patient in a vegetative state. But the nurse told me that someone visited your father right before the EKG monitor sent an alert. Maybe it had something to do with that visitor.‘ 

Whwho was it?” 

Besides Kira, who would visit her father

A Sholder To Cry On 

The doctor shook his head. She didn’t register. The nurse at the Visitor Registration Counter happened to be preoccupied. She waved her in. Said the woman was welldressed, had an air about her, didn’t look like the troublemaking type.” 

It was a woman?” 

Yes, in her forties, according to the nurse.” 

A welldressed woman in her forties… 

A face flashed through Kira’s mind

But she couldn’t believe it

It was simply impossible

Liam, who had been standing by her side quietly, suggested, The hospital’s covered with CCTV cameras. We can get a look at the tape.” 

He turned his eyes to the neurologist. It’s the hospital staff’s negligence that allowed a stranger to slip into a ward unregistered. Surely, you won’t be hesitant to help find out who she was?‘ 

Dr Morrison mopped his forehead with one hand

The man was smiling, but his words were menacing

Of course, if you will come with me, please.Dr Morrison headed towards the elevator

Twenty minutes later, Kira saw the security footage from earlier in the morning

She bit her bottom lip so hard that it drew blood

It was a hospital, but the woman onscreen was dressed like she was attending a gala

Her white sequined dress shimmered under the bright fluorescent light, revealing her bare legs as she sashayed

Her lipstick was bright red

Her eyelash extensions were visible on camera

She was strutting down the corridor in a pair of gold Luca Choo sandals

Helen Raynor

Kira’s mother

She should have known

No one else could have provoked that kind of reaction from her father

Kira balled her hands into fists, but they wouldn’t stop shaking

Tears threatened to overflow

Kira pinched her thigh, nails digging into flesh

She wasn’t about to cry, not over a woman like that

You know her?Liam tilted his chin towards the screen 

He’d never seen the girl like thisit seemed she was just as likely to break down sobbing as she was going to punch someone’s lights out

She is my mother. Kira spat out the words like they left a bad taste in her mouth

Slider Te Cry Ohi 

Liam watched her

She was breathing fast

Her lips were trembling

Her neck and face were flushed

He was familiar with that feeling

Every family had its own skeleton

His just happened to be the same nature as hers

Liam took a step closer to her. Let it out.” 

What? Kira looked up, but she couldn’t see him clearly 

Her eyes were blinded by tears

Unconsciously, Liam softened his voice, almost cooing to her. It’s not good to bottle up your emotions like that. You need a release valve. If you want to cry, here’s a shoulder. If you want to lash out, come, I can be your punching bag.” 

The rakish, almost insouciant smile was gone from Liam’s face

Kira wiped her face with her hand and stared straight into his eyes

The concern in them touched her more than words could say

For a moment, she thought she caught a glimpse of a gentle, vulnerable soul

A soul that said I feel for you. I’m here for you.” 

Kira almost took him up on his offer

A strong shoulder to cry on, a warm embrace, words of commiserationhow could she say no to that? But Liam was a stranger, barely an acquaintance

Kira would not allow herself to show vulnerability in front of someone who was not part of her inner circle. Besides, she refused to shed tears over that woman

Kira took a deep breath, patted her cheeks and forced a smile. It’s okay. I’m fine. I’m not that weak. This is nothing. That woman’s nothing.” 

After a pause, she said, ‘Mr Cane, I’ve already taken up far too much of your time. Thank you for waiting with me and for coming down here to the security guardsoffice with me. And your kind words. I’m truly grateful. But I think I need to be with my father right now.” 

Liam was smiling again. So you’re going to ditch me just like that?” 

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