Chapter 345

The car rolled to a stop beside a fruit stall across from the hospital. Conrad Hilliard unbuckled his seatbelt. “I’m gonna grab some fruit, just wait here.” “Okay,” Calliope Godfrey replied. She watched as his tall figure disappeared into the glow of the fruit stand, then turned to Leo. “Wanna go grab a cup of hot milk tea?” Leo’s eyes lit up. He nodded excitedly. Calliope took his small hand, and they walked into the nearby coffee shop. Right after getting the drinks, she turned around—and froze. By the window sat a familiar figure. Refined, quiet. It was Damon Stratton. There was a cup of coffee in front of him—it had clearly gone cold. He just sat there, eyes locked on the hospital across the street, looking so lost it hurt to see. Calliope stood still, stunned. Ever since her mom had been moved to a regular ward, Mr. Stratton hadn’t shown up once. She’d assumed he had moved on—but clearly, that wasn’t the case. A staff member noticed her gaze and leaned over to say softly, “That gu