Chapter22
Peter rushedthrough the hospital doors and went right to the business office. His mother would never worry about anything financial. He'd take care of this. No one in his family would ever be turned into a pauper or have to ask for anything fromanyone.
He signedall the business papers, and then had no more excuse to avoid his mother's room. His sister and brother would likely be in the hospital somewhere, or in thevicinity.
His feet dragged as he made his way to the elevator. He pressed the button with all the enthusiasm he could muster as a little girl then said, "Did your mom just go toheaventoo?"
He shook his head. His face must lookterrible. He knelt down as he glanced around the empty hospital hall near the elevator. This little girl was all byherself.
He swallowed and stared into her pretty brown eyes. "Is that what happened toyours?"
Her eyes misted as she hugged a small, ripped teddybear. "Yeah."
She should have someone with her. The day his mother left was the worst day of his life. He glancedat the white walls and lack of security guards. Had the hospital let the girl wander alone without hermother?
He stayed at her eye level. "Is someone coming hereforyou?"
She waved to a closed office door without moving much. "My grandma and grandpa are with a priest insidethere."
This was just for a minute. At least someone was here for her. He let the elevator go as itbeeped behind him. There would be another in amoment.
"What'syourname?"
She hugged her bear again. "Caroline."
"Caroline."
She clearly loved her mother. If he had a child, he'd want him or her to have the best at everything. His money had paid for Harvard, and if he paid for this girl, it would be written off as a charity exception to histaxes.
He took outhis wallet and stared at the door. The grandparents must be upset. He wrote a personal note on the back of his card saying that he'd pay for college for theirgranddaughter.
"Here is my business card. I want you to keep this and give it to your grandma and grandpa. Tell them, when they are ready, to call me about your college tuition for Harvard or anywhere else. It is what your mom wouldhave wantedforyou."
She smiled at him while she studied the card. She bit her bottom lip for a moment and then nodded. "Okay. Thank you P...e...t...er. Peter. Your name isPeter."
A genuine smile of his own grew as he nodded. "She taught youtoread."
She rolled her eyes like she was a teenager. "Of course.I'mfive."
His eyes widened. "Yourfive?"
She giggledand wrapped her arms aroundhim. "Yes."
The door opened and her grandparents and a man in black all came out of the room. The grandmother was clearlycrying.
Peter stood and nodded at the girl. "I might need to hire you to work for me one day. I like smart people in my office. Don't forget to give my card to yourgrandparents."
"Bye."
She ran to her grandparents andhanded them his card. The elevator doors opened and people walked out. He stepped inside withoutanotherword.
He pressed the button, and the doors closed. In the elevator, he pressed his head on the wall. At least the girl knew what happened to her mother. His own life spun out of lies. Belle's words haunted him to simply 'be polite' as he stepped off theelevator.
The moment thedoors opened, his gaze locked on his brother down the hall. Peter straightened his shoulders and walked out. John saw him and waved. Peter's face felt heated. He didn't know what to say or why he was here. He swallowed and joined hisbrother.
John pressed his hand on his back. "Glad you're here. We thought you weren'tcoming."
Peter stared into the room, but there was a curtain pulled.He widened his stance and wished he had bought flowers to hold. Instead he stood there and feltawkward.
