Obsession With My EX-wife

Chapter 21: Leonard Makes A Decision

After finishing her rounds, Catherine returned to the children's ward. She went directly to Ryan's room but paused when she got to the door. Catherine pressed her ear to the door, and she could faintly hear Leonard and Ryan chatting. She thought that the reason Ryan never answered her was that he was too shy, but as she eavesdropped now, she knew that wasn't the case. So, what is it? – she wondered – and why is Leonard interfering with my work?

Catherine thought that it was good that Ryan was opening up to someone, even if it wasn't her, so instead of going in, she returned to her office. Once there, she began to review her other patients' medical charts and started catching up on some of the housekeeping she'd been putting off. 

***

Shortly before noon, Leonard sought Catherine out at the Nurses' Station to let her know that he was leaving. Jim had called him, and he needed to get back to work. By the time Leonard had said his goodbyes, Jim was waiting outside for him. 

Leonard got into the back seat of the car and stretched out so that he could get some rest. And think. It had occurred to him while he was with Ryan that the reason Catherine liked the boy so much was that she had lost a child, and she saw herself as a surrogate to him. Thus, she couldn't control her instinctual desire to take care of him. 

Leonard was trying to think of ways to use this conclusion to his benefit when he fell asleep. Next thing he knew, Jim was gently shaking him. "We're here," Jim was saying. "Wake up, Mr. Campbell."

Leonard opened his eyes, but he didn't get up right away. Instead, he remained very still and stared at Jim without blinking. Leonard's vacant gaze scared Jim, and he looked away nervously. 

After a few minutes, Leonard sighed and said, "I have a question for you, Jim. Do you think I should try to get back together with Cathy? You know, as compensation for all the terrible things I put her through."

Jim was speechless. If you want to make it up to her – he thought – you should stay away from her! Jim didn't dare say that, though. If he did, he knew that he would definitely lose his job. So, instead of answering honestly, he said, "That is what I would do, sir, if I were in your shoes." It was an outrageous lie, and he couldn't believe how readily Leonard ate it up – But then again, we all see what we want to. Isn't that right?

"What should I do?" Leonard asked. "How will I win her heart? What would you do?"

"That's hard," Jim admitted. "I suppose you could buy her something nice. Of course, it would help if you knew what she liked… Do you know what she likes?"

"I am sure that she likes the same things all girls like," Leonard replied. "Clothes. Diamonds. Expensive getaways."

 Jim: "I am sure you are right, sir."

They continued to talk as Leonard led Jim to the main entrance of his company, the Campbell Group. 

***

Vivian was more than a little surprised when she learned that Leonard had spent his entire morning at the hospital, visiting with a stranger's child, and she assumed that it had something to do with his efforts to get back with Catherine. Thus, as soon as she got the news, she arranged for the car to be brought around so that she could pay a visit to the hospital and see what the hoopla was about.

Vivian's housekeeper was familiar with her, and she knew that when Vivian got to the hospital, she would stir up trouble and start a fight. So, before the car could be brought around, she tried to abort Vivian's mission. She looked at Vivian and said, "Miss Green, I don't think it is an appropriate time to visit the hospital. Mr. Campbell may be angry with you if you go there."

Vivian glared at her housekeeper. "Why would that be?" she asked. "Is he afraid that I will catch him and Catherine hooking up?"

The housekeeper threw her hands up in the air and said, "Do what you want to do. I don't know why I bother. You never listen to me anyway." 

***

After finishing surgery, Doris changed her clothes and returned to her office. Though it had not been a long surgery, it had been invasive, and she was bushed. Thus, when she walked into her office, it took all of her effort to not start crying when she saw Vivian seated in front of her desk. She let out an exhausted breath, walked around Vivian, and sat in her chair across from her would-be rival. She looked up wearily and asked, "What do you want, Vivian?" 

Vivian smirked and said, "I came here to tell you that I am pregnant with Leonard's baby! So, please stop trying to seduce him. You are embarrassing yourself, and you are making me angry. And you of all people should know better than to piss off a pregnant woman!"

Catherine was at a loss for words. Luckily, she had already been pretending that she didn't care about Leonard, so she was able to hide her surprise. 

Suddenly, it occurred to Catherine that Vivian was lying. After a moment, she said, "Congratulations. You have nothing to fear from me. After all, why should I care? And I think I know something you don't know, anyway." 

"And what is that?" Vivian hissed. She ground her teeth together angrily. She couldn't believe how casual Catherine was being. If their roles had been reversed, Vivian would have been livid.

 Catherine smirked, and for a minute, she said nothing.