‘Aunt Naomi, how are you feeling?’ Heath stepped forward.‘I’m fine. It’s good to see you again.’When Elaine told Naomi that Ralph was out of surgery, she cried.‘Don’t worry, Naomi, I’m sure Ralph will be fine.’ Logan offered to go down and check on him.Since he wasn’t allowed inside the ICU, he sought out the surgeon.‘Mr Wilde, Mr Barrett’s condition is not looking too good. He didn’t respond well after the surgery. Frankly, of all the renal denervation procedures I’ve done, he’s the first patient who didn’t wake up soon after the surgery.’‘Have you figured out the cause?’‘I’ve ruled out all physiological reasons, which means it must be neurological. To put it bluntly, he doesn’t want to wake up. And I guess I can understand why.’The surgeon was well aware of the Barretts’ family tragedy.‘Is there anything I can do?’ Logan asked, frowning.He couldn’t go back to Naomi with the news that Ralph might never wake up.‘Well, I guess we can learn from the treatment of coma patients

‘Oh, I almost forgot.’ Alessia turned to the sales assistant. ‘Yes, please wrap it up.’Logan raised an eyebrow at the man’s shirt. ‘Isn’t that too big for Milo?’Alessia rolled her eyes. ‘Don’t be stupid.’‘So, it’s for me?’‘Uh-huh. Consider it a thank-you gift for letting Milo stay over.’‘He’s my kid, too. You don’t have to thank me. But I’ll take the shirt.’ Logan smiled.***Good friends to begin with, Milo and Arlie were now inseparable.They took turns staying at each other’s house and did almost everything together.Logan suggested that the four of them move into his villa, but Alessia refused.He gave her a credit card, but she kept it locked in a drawer.He offered to take them on an overseas trip for the weekend, but she said she had to work.Alessia knew what he was doing, but couldn’t cut him out of her life for Milo’s sake.In fact, she was starting to see a new side of him, a side which made her reconsider: maybe they could try again.But, cautious by nature, Alessia k

‘Okay. Thank you.’ Alessia was relieved that Elaine had dropped the subject of her s*x life.Elaine scribbled on a prescription pad, tore off a page and handed it to Alessia.Alessia took it, thanked the doctor and was ready to bolt.She’d just opened the door when a figure rushed in, almost colliding with her.‘Sorry,’ the man in a white lab coat said to her before turning to Elaine. ‘Dr Johnson, Mr Wilde just called and asked you to check on Ralph. Said he’s not doing too well.’‘Got it.’Alessia closed the door behind her, wondering what she’d just heard.She remembered Ralph Barrett’s name; Sirena’s father seemed to be in a bad situation.Neither did she miss the mention of Logan.As she left the doctor’s office, Alessia wondered if he would still be available for dinner.***While Alessia was leaving the hospital, Logan was arriving.Minutes ago, he got a call from Ralph’s caretaker, saying his condition had taken a turn for the worse.When he rushed into the ward, he discovered

Alessia hesitated.It was a strange request, for her to meet with Logan’s ex-girlfriend’s father.Elaine must know this too, as she added hastily, ‘I know it’s a lot to ask, but I think it’s worth a shot. I agree with Naomi’s assessment; you are a sensible lady. Besides, Logan kept insisting that the birth of the child was an accident but wouldn’t elaborate. Naomi and I are hoping maybe you can shed some light on that.’Alessia pondered the request.She never met Ralph Barrett and felt no obligation to help, but then she thought of her own father.Losing an only child must be a devastating blow to any parent.Inevitably, she also thought of the baby she lost six years ago.Alessia sat up in bed. ‘Okay, I’ll come and talk to him. I need to be at the office by nine, so we’ll have to do this quickly.’‘That’s great! Thank you, Alessia. I’ll meet you at the hospital entrance.’‘I’ll be there in half an hour.’When she arrived at the hospital, Randal Torres, Ralph’s private nurse, was shoc

‘Professor Sawyer, it’s an honour to meet you.’ Alessia was thrilled.‘Well, if Vince introduced us to each other earlier, we would have met sooner,’ Yvonne said meaningfully. ‘Vince, bring us a pot of tea. Oh, young people like coffee.’She turned to Alessia. ‘Do you drink tea or coffee?’‘Either is fine for me, Professor Sawyer.’‘Tea it is, then,’ Vince said. ‘But we’ll have to drink it later.’‘Oh, that’s right. The salon.’ Yvonne stood up and stretched. ‘Let’s go then.’‘Wait.’ Alessia was confused. ‘I thought we were doing an interview.’Yvonne laughed. ‘Yes, but not here, and not with me. Vince has asked me to introduce you to a couple of artists at the salon. Painters, sculptors, illustrators, what have you. Then you can do a series, like what you did with Professor Hurley and his students.’‘Wow. That’s a wonderful idea. Thank you. Thank you so much.’ Alessia was both surprised and touched.This was a huge favour.Yvonne winked at her. ‘Don’t thank me. Vince made me do it.’‘