Chapter 45: Chapter 45

“ In many ways, she was his heart. That's why, after she got cervical cancer when I was 11 and ended up passing away... Nothing was like before. “ he recalled “ Unlike her, I couldn't identify what he was thinking and see beyond his impassive personality. After we lost her, our warm home suddenly turned into a cold place where I was always alone, even when he and I were in the same room. I guess that's why, even though I thought about studying gastronomy in college, when it says 18…” Morgan sighed, admitting something he couldn't remember ever telling anyone else “I didn't have the courage. Because I had had enough of his indifference, I didn't need or want him to look down on me for ruining his entire investment company, since I was the only available heir. But beyond all that... I was hopeful that if I became a successful investor like him and made him proud... Then we could finally be real father and son. Maybe he would finally open up to me.

“So, I tried my hardest during every moment of every day, until I was 26 years old, to prove to him that I deserved that post. That I was the son he wanted to have and that I deserved him to act like a father to me… like he used to when my mother was alive. “ Morgan sighed, fighting the lump in her throat. “I've spent so long soaking in the knowledge that we could become a family again, if I just did enough... But then, one day, I was in the middle of a meeting. and his secretary called me from the hospital, saying he had a heart attack while making a connection while on a business trip. I got out of there as quickly as possible, but when I got to the room... He was already dead.

"I'm so sorry…" Charlie hugged him even tighter, murmuring against his shoulder.

“ But the worst thing about all this... “ he spoke again, after a moment of silence, although his voice was nothing more than a whisper “ Is that, when he was finally buried and I found myself alone... I realized that what I wanted so much would never happen. He was no longer there for us to connect again and all that was good in him were the uncertain memories of a distant childhood. I waited for so long in silence, not taking the step to approach him just because I thought I had to achieve something unreachable first... And suddenly none of that mattered anymore. He left without us being able to build a real father-son relationship. And I had spent my entire life building a career and a name that I didn't even really care for.

“That's why I always say you brought joy back into my life, Charlie. “ he caressed her face, at the same time tucking an unruly lock of her hair behind her ear “ Between the time my father died and the day we met, there were six long years where I just was existing, doing everything automatically, without truly feeling anything. I even wonder... If this is how my father felt, after my mother was gone... " Morgan muttered, thinking about it for the first time " Empty and with no reason to live, but still feeling forced to move forward and do what others expected of him. At least, that's exactly how I felt, living just between my office and my apartment... Until a fiery girl jumped into a fountain in the middle of a gala and made me realize that life could be so much more. livelier and more luminous than I could have imagined. “ he nuzzled hers, making her blush.

“Well, I hear that girl is also like that, about you. “ she smiled beautifully “ If it weren't for you, she wouldn't have endured what she went through in the last three years...” she hesitated for a moment, before continuing, hugging him so that her face was pressed against the crook of his neck “ You are my safe haven, Morgan. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you, especially in times like this. You are my calm, my security and my strength.

“And you are my joy and my light, Charlie. “And also her heart, but he managed to stop himself before he ended up revealing that to her“ That's why I will always be with you, as long as you want me. Please never forget this.

“Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan? “ a female voice interrupted their embrace, making them turn around to see a woman in a white coat and calm appearance smiling at them “ Are you the owners of the orange and white fur cat called Sawyer?

" Yes we are. Morgan replied, getting to her feet, but Charlie was faster, closing in on the vet at lightning speed.

“ Are they okay? “She asked and he could see the tears welling up in her eyes again, probably out of fear of the answer.

" Yes, he is fine. “ the doctor calmed her down, so that Morgan had to run to hold Charlie, when he realized that her legs had softened, due to the relief “ Your kitten will be fine. What the tests we did showed that he ended up ingesting some kind of toxic substance and that made him feel terrible. Fortunately, however, we were able to do a stomach pump in time and apply the proper medication. With rest, medicine, and the right diet, he'll get better soon. “ she assured, making Charlie sob with joy.

“I'm relieved…” his wife sniffled, practically squishing against him, with no strength left in her arms or legs.

“I am glad, Mrs. Sullivan.

“Do you have any idea why this might have happened, Doc? “Morgan asked, remembering the feeling she had that something wasn't quite right about the situation.

“Well, there are many possibilities, Mr. Sullivan. It may be that he ended up coming into contact, by mistake, with some toxic substance for the organism of cats in your own house. Or, perhaps, if you are in the habit of allowing him to leave the house and walk alone in the street, it is likely that someone ill-intentioned could have intentionally poisoned him. " the vet sighed, disgusted " Unfortunately, these kind of people are everywhere...

“ But Sawyer hasn't been out in the street since we adopted him... “ Morgan pondered, more and more suspicious “And my wife is a veterinary student. If there had been any substance dangerous to him in our house, she certainly would have noticed.

“Well, I think it would still be best to do a little more thorough inspection when you get back home. " the woman suggested, politely " Which reminds me: Sawyer will be here with us for a little while longer, under observation, to make sure the symptoms are really gone and he is responding well to the medication. So you can leave for today. We'll call you right away to let you know if anything happens.

“Thank you, Doc. “ Charlie sniffed, now a little more composed “ Thanks for saving Sawyer.

“It is a pleasure, Mrs. Sullivan. “ the doc gave Charlie's shoulder a sympathetic squeeze “ I didn't even have to examine your cat too much to realize that he has very affectionate and responsible owners. So she doesn't feel guilty. “She advised, as if she already understood everything just by the expression on Charlie's face“ These fatalities happen when we least expect it and are almost never someone's fault. Now please go home and rest. With luck, in a few days Sawyer will be able to return home.

With grateful and exhausted smiles, both said goodbye to the veterinarian and Morgan concentrated only on taking his wife to the car, snuggling her slumped body in the passenger seat and giving her a loving kiss on the forehead, before returning to their apartment. However, on the way, Charlie ended up falling asleep, looking so fragile that he even wondered if it was a good idea for her to attend her second college class the next morning. It was an introductory week, after all. Her health and rest were worth infinitely more than any notes she might lose.

Carefully picking her up in his arms so he could carry her inside, Morgan was surprised when she didn't wake up even when he opened the door and Matilda started to bark, pulling herself out from under the sofa cushion she'd destroyed and starting hitting her ass. around, while trying to find them.

“It's all right, Matilda. “ he whispered to her, trying to calm her down as he laid Charlie down on the couch, so she could rest a little while he took care of that mess “ Let's let Charlie sleep a little, yes? It's been quite a day, but at least your brother is fine and you'll get to know each other soon.

Saying that, he gave her a cuddle session, before settling her in one of the armchairs over there and leaving her to nap next to Charlie, while he collected the feathers that had flown all over the room and found a garbage bag. to place the ruined cushion. However, once he went to the back door of the apartment, which led to the corridor of the building where the garbage cans were located on that floor, he noticed something strange: in the opening where the heater was fitted to the wall, very close to one of the shelves full of cleaning products there, a crack was open between the wall and the appliance. It was narrow, but still narrow enough for a cat the size of Sawyer to get through if it wanted to...

Had he been leaving the house all this time without them noticing?

Opening the back door and realizing that, in fact, the crack was deep enough to reach all the way to the other side of the wall, which led to the outside, Morgan walked on, looking around to try to find something that the help her understand what had happened to her cat... And that was when her eyes landed on something small over there by the dumpsters, almost hidden between the thick metal beams.

Moving closer and even crouching down to get a better look, Morgan felt his teeth clench automatically when he realized it was an open can of tuna pâté. However, the whitish paste was full of small, indeed almost imperceptible, flakes of some coal-black substance, which had apparently been mixed with the food.

Who was the bastard that he had dared to come up to his floor and purposely leave that there, so that his cat could eat it and get intoxicated?

“Morgan? “ Charlie's apprehensive voice sounded behind him and Morgan turned to see her there, standing a few feet away, looking as if she'd just woken up and followed him to the other side of the back door, which was still open. what's that?

“Unfortunately, I think it's evidence. “ he growled, trying to contain his fury so as not to upset Charlie further “ I'm still not sure what exactly is mixed in that tuna paste or who put it in here, but I promise you I'll find out.

“Are you saying someone did this on purpose? “ Her eyes widened, filled with anger and fear “ But, why just Sawyer? I've only been here for a short time, but I know that there are other families with pets and everyone knows that this entire floor has only their apartment... My God, we need to let the superintendent know, in case this person decides to do this again.

“And we'll let you know, don't worry. “ Leaving that crappy can aside, he went to her and hugged her, hating that that discovery had made the concern return to her expression, after everything she had been through that day “ I will find out who did this and he will get the proper punishment. I promise you."