The Doctor's Playmate

Chapter 23- Her Past

“Sophie…” I mumbled as I checked my phone. Nothing. I was about to call her when I heard a knock on my door. “Come in!” I answered. A few seconds later, the door opened, and Kyle stood tall behind it.

“Sammy…”

“Hey, come inside...”

Kyle sadly smiled. “Hey, bro…I’m here to apologize for what happened earlier…” he said as he walked towards my study table. He sat on my couch and heaved deeply as he looked around my bedroom. “Damn, such a nerd guy you are,” he added, seeing the almost wallpaper of study notes surrounding me.

“Why are you here again?” I snorted, though I felt pity to see the fading bruises and marks on his face.

Kyle chuckled before looking back at me. “I am leaving...”

“Good!”

“No. I mean, I am leaving today to go to Elisha’s hometown.”

My brows creased. “For what?”

“I need to talk to Nana and Ferdi. I want them to join Elisha,” Kyle answered. “I know Elisha didnt want me here, but I am not giving up, bro. I know this is the best thing for her.”

“Sweet. I am glad you finally figured it out. Smart…” I sarcastically replied.

“Samuel, I love her. I love Elisha and will do everything to set things straight and let her know that I will never hurt her again.” Kyle implied.

I shook my head as l looked at my brother. He looked despondent and remorseful, but I didn’t think it was enough. His punishment wasn’t enough. “You should leave Elisha alone. It's for her health and welfare. We can take care of her and her babies without you.” I richly said.

“No, Sammy,” Kyle grittily replied, fist clenching. “She needs me. Elisha needs my help, and I will show you and everyone who loves Elisha that I can take care of her and our babies. She’s my responsibility. I made her life miserable, and I believe I can redeem it again. I only needed your support as my family,” he added.

“Oh, for real?” I scoffed.

“Yes, I didn't want to say this, but I was with you when you f*cked things up with Demi and Jess, Sammy,” Kyle quickly answered and glared back at me.

I was taken aback after hearing Kyle. I knew exactly what he meant, and he was right. Kyle helped me and knew the part of my troubles back then. He was aware of my story with Demi and Jess. “So?” I simply said, although I was aware of the extent to which he helped me and the secrets I had been keeping from everyone.

Kyle looked straight into my eyes. “It’s not about paying back, and I am not saying this to ask for a favor, Sammy. I only wanted you to give me some slack. Sam already hates me. Mom and Dad are upset. I want your side this, my lil bro…” he said.

The brimming tears in Kyle's eyes were evidence that he was serious and unwavering as he pleaded for my support. Kyle and I were typical brothers, and I could feel his pain, albeit I knew he had just made his own bed. “Oh, Kyle...” I puffed.

Kyle stood up. His teary eyes were still on me. “Please take care of Elisha while I am away. I trust you, my brother. Please, let me know and update me on her progress. I wanted to be with her and my babies, but I wanted to ensure her safety in this critical stage of her pregnancy. Nana will be here soon to take care of her,” he stated.

I nodded and gave him a half smile. “I will, of course. Bring the old lady safely here. She will help Elisha big time while Sophie is away,” I said. Kyle’s idea about taking Nana here would help Elisha get better.

“Thanks, bro. See you soon,” Kyle seemed relieved as he left my bedroom.

I rested my back against my swivel chair before taking a deep breath. Kyle mentioned the help he offered me that even Samantha didn’t know about. “F*ck…” I was frustrated. The memories got me again as they played inside my head like a movie.

“This is the name of the pills you need.”

“But we need the signed doctor’s prescription!”

“I can’t, Demi! I can’t use Mom’s medical prescription!”

“Oh, Samuel! You are such a coward! I need to help Jess! She needs them!”

“No…”

“Sammy! You promise you will help me!”

Demi’s frustration and cries truly got me. I knew she needed the prescription for abortion pills for Jess. I asked Mom about the details of the drugs. I was only eighteen when it happened, and since she trusted me and knew my passion for medical studies, she told me everything about the medication. Mom didn’t suspect me needing it for someone. But Demi wanted one under a doctor’s name.

I shouldn’t feel guilty about what happened to Jess. But I made a careless decision that I still regret now.

I didn’t hand Demi the signed prescription that I sneaked out of my mom’s office. However, she was able to buy drugs from someone through my information.

Jess had them, suffered complications, and died because of them—something Demi held against me.

“Demi…” I mumbled, looking at my computer screen. It had been a while since we talked. I suddenly wondered how she was. Her family left the States after her sister’s funeral, and part of it was to continue her dreams of becoming a model in Europe.

We parted ways years ago. Everyone thought we ended our relationship to pursue our dreams and promised each other to see in the future. Yes, it was true, but underneath, lying was the reason to forget our guilt, especially on Demi’s side.

‘Demi Taylor fashion model... I typed her name into the search engine. “Taylor seemed like a very common name,” I mumbled, thinking about Sophie.

I spent the next hour browsing and looking at Demi’s photos and video interviews. I would admit. She had grown beautiful and successful in her chosen field. She made a name for herself in Europe as one of the top models in the industry. I totally overlooked what had happened to her for years. I didn’t surf the internet much, not unless it was all about medical research.

I knew from my parents that she had a great career, but I didn’t expect how big and extensive it was. I couldn’t believe she was mine before, and we were in love.

“Great..great…” I nodded, staring at Demi’s beautiful face. I tried to go over my feelings about her but felt nothing. Her beauty alone would indeed attract me. However, my heart didn’t beat the same way as it did when we were young. It was a childhood love, but I guess it will just be a normal attraction now that we've grown.

I grew tired of listening to her interviews on German television and fashion shows. Everything was plainly visible. She was flourishing and seemed to have moved on from the past.

I was about to continue my studies when curiosity struck me again. I knew Sophie was on social media. At her age, I bet it was common to have apps and pages all over the internet. Sophia Kay Taylor Santos, I typed once more.

Soon, the narrowed result showed on my screen. I could see Sophie’s photos that she uploaded to the media accounts. I smiled as I saw her childhood and teenage photos all over the internet. She was a few years younger than me, and I was never into these accounts.

I continued looking at the screen, clicking on the tagged photos of her friends and loved ones. Even Elisha’s much younger images were there too. I couldn’t believe Sophie was once dressed in emo-style clothing. Party videos and drunk photos were all over the place—quite the opposite of what I was searching for earlier.

I was clicking one at a time on every picture she had posted in public when I noticed a name behind one of her photos. It was when she was a few years younger. “Chase…”

Curiosity got me deeper, and I didn’t stop until I saw his full name and profile on the screen. Chase Donner. The way he looked seemed up to no good.

“Got you…” I snorted, looking at Chase’s profile and wondering who exactly he was. I knew I should quit, but I couldn't stop being nosy.

“F*ck…” I muttered in dismay as I saw a piece of local news about Chase Donner involving Sophie. About four years back. “Damn…” My jaw clenched in anger while reading the rest of the story and the public records about the felony case Sophie and her family filed against Chase.

Now I understood Sophie’s whimpers and fear the night I had her. “Oh… Sophie…” I puffed, leaning my back against my chair. He sexually assaulted her when she was barely sixteen. Sophie was so innocent and naive, and Chase was a monster.

I closed my eyes and imagined her lovely face. I knew it was already in the past, and Chase was already in prison for it, but I couldn't help but feel sadness and pity for Sophie’s traumatic experience.

“Shoot!” My eyes gaped as I checked the time on my screen. It was already half past nine in the evening. I overlooked the time. I was too immersed in reading and absorbing the news and history of Sophie’s life.

“Damn…” I inhaled and exhaled. Luckily, I had no evening shift tonight. I could continue resting until tomorrow. I took my phone and checked for Sophie’s messages. Sadly, there were none. I knew she was having a great time with her loved ones. “Oh, please always be safe, my sweet Sophie...” I murmured, typing a message for her.

‘I hope you are doing alright. Ich bin für dich da, wenn du mich brauchst...

I sent it right away. My eyes gaped after seeing three dots moving on the screen. Sophie seemed to read them right away. For some reason, I would love her to know I would always be there for her.

‘Yes, you are always there for me... Danke!’

‘Goodnight, my sweet Sophie! See you soon! Xx’

‘You’re the best, doc! See you soon!’

I inhaled deeply in relief. “Good night, Sophie,” I mumbled, looking at her smiling photos on the computer screen.

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