Once Bitten, Twice Shy

441 Could It Be Her?

Alan had always been a mild-mannered younger brother who had excellent control of his emotions as a doctor. There was rarely anything that could make him lose control or cause the slightest fluctuation in his emotions.

That was the first time Abel heard his brother speak in such a tone and it came as a surprise to him.

Samantha was unaware that Abel was on the phone because his back was facing her. It was only when she got closer that she made the realization. She immediately kept quiet and smiled embarrassedly at Abel before retreating and turning around to reenter her room.

Abel returned to his senses and asked bluntly, “What’s with you, Alan?”

Alan also knew that his tone had been a little over the top but he could not care less at that moment. He asked stubbornly, “Abel, could you tell me who was it that...called out to you earlier?”

He could not be more familiar with that voice. It occupied his thoughts day and night, and it was a voice he had been trying to find for ages...

Abel noticed something was wrong but replied straightforwardly without keeping things in suspense. “It’s the Gilligans’ young miss.”

The Gilligans’ young miss...

Alan’s mind went blank.

Abel added, “The same long-lost daughter that the Gilligans recently brought back home. Her name is Athena Gilligan.”

Alan had heard some news about the Gilligans but he was never one for gossip. He had devoted himself to finding Samantha and Matthew after their disappearance, so he did not keep up with what happened to the Gilligans.

He also failed to make the connection that the Gilligans’ long-lost daughter was Samantha.

Alan suddenly realized that the time frame tallied when Abel mentioned it.

The time that the Gilligans rediscovered their daughter was around the same time as when Samantha disappeared.

Could it be?

Alan’s heart was beating so quickly that he had to swallow a few mouthfuls of saliva before he could continue. “Abel... Aside from finding Athena, did the Gilligans also...find a child?”

Before waiting for Abel to answer, Alan asked again, “Brother, can you...start a video call and let me see the Gilligans’ daughter?”

He was determined to seize that chance even if the possibility was only one-in-a-million.

He could not bring himself to believe that Samantha and Matthew had disappeared from the world. He felt that they were still waiting for him somewhere...

Abel did not know much about his younger brother’s affairs, since their entire family were all extremely busy doctors. Their daily life was either spent treating patients or going somewhere to treat patients. As a result, he merely had a rough idea that his younger brother had a sweetheart about two years ago.

Alan had tried his utmost best to save and protect that woman.

‘Could this woman be the same person as the Gilligans’ long-lost daughter?’

‘Is the little boy...my brother’s son?’

Abel was shell-shocked when he thought of that.

If that was the case, did he save his sister-in-law and nephew by chance?

Although his feelings became tumultuous, the fundamental work ethic in his profession as a doctor was to never disclose a patient’s privacy on a whim.

Furthermore, he was specifically hired by the Gilligans and had already signed a non-disclosure agreement that barred him from revealing any secrets or information on the Gilligans.

The same rules applied to his brother.

Abel cleared his throat lightly and said, “Alan, you’re well aware that doctors like us can’t disclose the patient’s privacy on a whim. I cannot possibly answer your questions.”

Alan unconsciously tightened his grip on his cell phone. He opened his mouth and struggled to say, “I’m sorry, Abel. I was too anxious.”

Nevertheless, Abel could not bear to hear Alan’s strained voice and revealed a nugget of information. “Don’t be too discouraged though. I heard Mrs. Gilligan mention something about finding a husband for Ms. Gilligan, and any single young man can participate.”

“You ought to come if you want to see Ms. Gilligan and confirm whether or not she’s the person you’re looking for.”

Alan’s eyes brightened, “Thank you, brother.”

After hanging up the phone, Abel smiled and put away his phone before walking into the room.

He walked to Samantha and could not help but look at her from head to toe.

There was never a time when he was distracted while looking at a patient, but at that moment, he started to look at her more closely.

Samantha sensed the change in his eyes and felt puzzled. She blinked and asked in confusion, “Why are you looking at me like that, Dr. Sherwood? Is there something wrong with my face?”

She reached out and stroked her face.

Abel shook her head. “No, it’s nothing. By the way, what was it you wanted to say to me earlier?”

Samantha replied, “I just wanted to ask if there’s anything I need to be aware of for my mother’s medication.”

Abel explained it to her carefully and told his nurse to prepare an electronic version, which would be sent to Samantha’s email.

Samantha was very thankful for that.

Abel thought to himself, ‘If she truly is the same woman that my brother loves, then Mrs. Gilligan will be my in-law in the future. All the more reason for me to be more attentive.’

Samantha then sent Abel off.

When he walked to the door, a small figure ran over to hug Abel’s leg and looked at him with googly eyes.

It was as if he was saying, ‘Are you leaving, Dr. Sherwood?’

Abel smiled softly and touched Matthew’s head. “I have to leave now, Matthew. You need to eat your medication and rest these next few days. I’ll bring you some candy the next time I come.”

Matthew nodded very obediently.

Samantha could not help but laugh when the boy looked at Abel like that.

It was rather strange because Matthew had a somewhat introverted personality and usually did not get acquainted with other people too easily. It was even more difficult for him to get close to other people.

That was the case with Irene, Athena’s three elder brothers, and Libby. He took a long time to get familiar with them.

When it came to Abel, Matthew appeared not to feel any aversion to the man since the beginning and even approached him too.

Samantha figured that Matthew was showing dependence on Abel because the latter was his savior.

Knowing that Abel had to catch a flight, Samantha pulled Matthew and said, “Say goodbye to Dr. Sherwood, Matthew.”

...

Matthew reluctantly raised his little hand and said goodbye to Abel.

Abel sighed in his heart and looked at the mother and child. Samantha’s beauty could never be overshadowed even if her face was marred by an injury.

Matthew was an even more attractive young kid. He was handsome and very adorable.

It was no surprise that his silly younger brother was enthralled by her and continued to be captivated by her ever since.

That silly younger brother of his would see them soon enough. After giving it some thought, he decided to be a wingman of sorts.

Abel looked into Samantha’s beautifully bright eyes and asked a question.