Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Yunice’s hand stayed pressed to her ear as the situation inside spiraled out of control. The simp claimed he only had one pill, saying it was wasted on a hostess. Morgan insisted the woman take it. The woman sobbed, torn but too scared to defy Morgan. In the end, she swallowed it. Morgan still didn’t take the bait, and now the simp was stuck.
Just then, a voice spoke up beside Yunice.
“Get her a different juice,” Wyatt said casually as he moved Yunice’s wineglass to sit in front of him instead.
Yunice’s heart jumped-she almost gasped out loud. Shocked and alarmed, she turned to look at Wyatt. Why was he here? Had he figured out her plan? Or was it just a coincidence?
Wyatt glanced at the lone glass on the table, then looked up at her. “Came alone?”
Yunice hesitated before giving a soft “Mm.”
Wyatt asked, “Why didn’t you call me?”
How could I call you when I’m doing something shady? she thought.
When she didn’t answer, Wyatt pressed his lips together, his striking eyes fixed solely on her. He reached behind her neck and leaned in, closing the distance between them. “Are you mad at me because I’ve been distant lately? Your brother’s eating and sleeping well inside. No one’s messing with him. But if you keep frowning for his sake, I might have to reconsider.”
So he thought she was here drinking alone, upset about Oscar. Since he said it that way, Yunice figured she might as well play along. “Then let him out, and I won’t worry anymore.”
Wyatt crossed one leg over the other and leaned back on the couch. “The police station doesn’t belong to your husband, you know. Don’t make things hard for me.”
Funny how eager you were to clear Morgan’s name, Yunice thought.
Just then, the waiter arrived with her juice. Yunice kept still, trying not to move too much-afraid Wyatt would notice her hidden earpiece. If he caught her listening in on Morgan, that would be far worse than just being seen with an earpiece. She wanted to turn it off but hadn’t found the right moment.
Then Wyatt’s phone rang. He glanced at it and declined the call.
Yunice’s eyes flickered. “You here for business?”
Yunice had never asked about Wyatt’s schedule, so she had no clue what he did each day. But not asking was a not-so-subtle way of saying, “Go do whatever it is you’re supposed to do; just stop bothering me.”
But Wyatt either didn’t catch on or ignored it completely. He stayed seated beside her, steady as a rock. Yunice had no idea what he was thinking.
Moments later, his phone rang again. Yunice glanced at the caller ID and gave him a quiet reminder. “You should answer that. What if it’s urgent?”
Wyatt casually tossed the phone into her lap. “You answer it.”
Yunice was speechless.
She picked it up, and Jordan’s anxious voice immediately came through. “Wyatt, you need to get over here now! Mr. Jordan’s leaving-I can’t stop him!”
Yunice looked up at Wyatt. She’d put the call on speaker, so he definitely heard every word.
Jordan sounded desperate, yet Wyatt didn’t budge. What was he playing at?
Yunice could only step in. “Mr. Jordan, tell Mr. Jordan we’ll be there right away.”
Jordan seemed surprised to hear her voice on the line.
He hesitated but didn’t press. “Then please, talk some sense into Mr. Wyatt.”
After hanging up, Yunice looked at Wyatt, who still lounged without a care in the world. “What? Do you want me to beg you?”
Seriously, what kind of twisted logic was this?
If she weren’t trying to keep things smooth for Jordan’s sake, she wouldn’t waste a word on him.
Wyatt chuckled. “Wow, so now you do care about what I do?”
Yunice had no reply for that.
People could be so frustrating sometimes.
She stood up and tugged on his arm, finally getting him to move his royal behind. He rose and walked with her.
As he stood, Yunice used the moment to discreetly remove her earpiece and slip it into her purse. Whatever was happening on Morgan’s end-she’d have to let it go.
When they reached the room Jordan had mentioned, Yunice saw two men struggling at the doorway.
Jordan was gripping a middle-aged man by the waist. “Mr. Jordan, I swear I’m not lying-Mr. Wyatt will be here any second. He really will!”
Mr. Jordan retorted, “Mr. Jordan, I truly can’t help you with this. Please stop putting me in this position.”
Jordan insisted, “Mr. Jordan, you’re one of the most renowned neurosurgeons in the world. If even you say you can’t help… then there’s no hope left!”
“Mr. Jordan…” Yunice called out as she approached.
Both men turned. Jordan looked confused, clearly wondering why Wyatt had brought Yunice along.
Mr. Jordan stepped up to Wyatt, speaking earnestly. “Mr. Wyatt, I told you three years ago that I couldn’t treat Nora’s condition. I’m telling you the same thing now. I can’t help her. Please stop pushing me.”
Nora?
So this was who Mr. Jordan had been brought in for.
Yunice’s chest tightened. She turned her head slightly-only to see Wyatt watching her closely, as if reading her reaction.
She frowned and pretended he didn’t exist.
Wyatt spoke. “Why are we still standing out here? Let’s go in and talk.”
Mr. Jordan, who had just been arguing moments ago, lost his edge immediately.
Not knowing Yunice’s identity, he spoke freely in front of her. “Mr. Wyatt, I’ve reviewed Nora’s brainwaves multiple times. Her brain is fully functional. In my professional opinion, it’s psychological. No drug or surgery will help.”
Jordan, noticing Wyatt’s silence, guessed he might be holding back because of Yunice’s presence. So he jumped in, speaking on Wyatt’s behalf. “So what you’re saying is… Ms. Nora doesn’t want to wake up?”
Mr. Jordan replied, “There are cases like this internationally. Some people, under immense psychological stress, choose to escape from reality. They fall into a mental slumber, retreating deep into their minds. It’s a psychological disorder.”
Yunice added, “I agree. Last time I checked her pulse, her body functions and brain signals were perfectly normal. Her health is well maintained, and her eye nerves don’t twitch involuntarily. She seems more like someone who’s just asleep.”
Mr. Jordan glanced at her. She was young, but her explanation earned a nod of approval.
Yunice continued, “If she really doesn’t want to wake up, what about a shock-based therapy? Pain can trigger the body’s self-defense instincts. It might wake her up.”
Jordan asked, “What’s pain therapy?”
Yunice answered bluntly, “Using intense pain to stimulate her-targeting her most sensitive pressure points, for instance.”
As she spoke, she watched Wyatt from the corner of her eye, wondering if this suggestion would anger him.
Mr. Jordan considered it. “It’s a viable method. And it won’t physically harm Ms. Nora.”
Wyatt replied coolly, “Easy for you to say. She’s in a vegetative state, not dead. You think she can’t feel pain?”
Yunice frowned. Wyatt might’ve been addressing Mr. Jordan-but the jab was clearly meant for her.
Yunice was clearly upset. She turned her head only to find Wyatt still staring at her.
It was like he hadn’t looked away the entire time she’d been talking to someone else.
And he never made any effort to be subtle when looking at people-his gaze was always direct, almost intrusive, like he had no regard for how others might feel.