Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Taylor added, “Mr. Jackson asked me to let you know our wedding will be on the same day as Wyatt’s. He called you here today for a prenuptial health screening.” She glanced sideways at him. “I don’t just marry anyone, you know.”
Paul scoffed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Meanwhile, Yunice drove with a heavy heart. She had thought about it over and over-Melina was a time bomb. Lauren hadn’t exactly died because of her, but…if you looked closely, Yunice had played a role in it. That’s why she was fulfilling Lauren’s final wish-doing her best to care for Melina in her place.
Thankfully, Melina was blind. She’d touched Yunice’s face many times and long since accepted her as Lauren. Even if someone showed up talking nonsense, as long as Yunice didn’t admit anything, Melina probably wouldn’t believe them.
That thought brought Yunice some comfort.
Just then, the phone on the passenger seat rang-an unfamiliar number. She hesitated, then picked it up. A flat, emotionless voice came through-it was Wyatt. “Come to the hospital.”
Yunice blinked. “Are you hurt? Sick?”
A pause on the other end, then, “Don’t ask.”
Yunice was speechless.
Wyatt followed with a warning. “Don’t defy me twice.” He hadn’t forgotten how she’d ditched him at the banquet hall last time.
“…Got it.” Wyatt wasn’t someone you wanted to provoke. Yunice turned the wheel and made a U-turn.
At the hospital, as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she ran into Jordan-already waiting for her at the door.
Jordan approached with a perfectly polite, professional smile and handed Yunice a thick stack of papers. “Ms. Saunders, here you go.”
Yunice looked down and saw the words “Premarital Medical Exam” stamped across the envelope full of documents. She blinked. “We’re doing a physical exam before marriage?” She’d thought people like these powerhouses usually just skipped everything except the marriage license and the wedding night.
Jordan replied, “It’s best to be sure. That way Wyatt’s at ease, and you are too-right?”
True, Yunice thought. Wyatt probably just wanted to make sure she was clean. In this day and age, it made sense to check.
“Wyatt’s over there,” Jordan said, gesturing.
Yunice followed his hand and spotted a tall figure, head and shoulders above the back of the bench. She hesitated, then leaned in to ask, “Do we really have to wait in line for a premarital exam?” Shouldn’t someone like Wyatt be able to wave his hand and summon an entire streamlined service staff just for the two of them?
“Ms. Saunders,” Jordan replied solemnly, “as citizens, we must uphold public order and refrain from abusing our privileges. Don’t you agree?”
Yunice gave him a look like he’d lost his mind, then turned away and headed toward Wyatt with the paperwork. Unfortunately, Wyatt had his arms crossed and his eyes closed-she couldn’t tell whether he was actually asleep or just resting.
Yunice glanced at the long line ahead. It would be a while before their turn came, so she didn’t wake him. She sat beside him and started scanning the medical forms.
Just then, a man’s voice nearby-grating and unfiltered-cut through her thoughts.
“She’s loose and saggy now, I’d rather do it myself than touch her. When she was pregnant, her neck, armpits, and chest turned black. I swear, it was disgusting. She gained fifty pounds! I had to lift her belly just to-ugh, forget it, I couldn’t even get in…”
Yunice grimaced, eyebrows scrunching in revulsion. She glanced up and saw a slick-haired, wiry man with a leather portfolio under his arm plop down in the row ahead. Holding back the urge to gag, she lowered her eyes and focused on the exam forms, trying to tune him out.
Wyatt didn’t argue and let her hold his hand. Yunice looked up slightly, catching the faintest trace of henbane on him-barely there, but unmistakable.
, Lies, and Unwanted Ties
Yunice had clearly already prescribed detox medication for Wyatt under Dr. Rylie’s identity-so why hadn’t he taken it? Did he not trust her, or did he not want to get better?
Before she could ponder further, the nurse called their names. It was their turn for the exam. Wyatt picked up his cane, and Yunice tucked the documents away and stood.
As they passed the greasy-haired man from earlier, Yunice deliberately leaned toward Wyatt and said, “Later, crush some gardenia seeds and rub them on your face. My cousin swears by it-every guy in the family who used it had a son. Works every time!”
Wyatt cast her a glance, then noticed the man he’d kicked earlier seemed to be eavesdropping.
Once inside the examination room, Wyatt asked without even looking at her, “What’s gardenia seed?”
Yunice tried not to laugh. “A prank ingredient.”
Wyatt gave her a sideways glance-playing games again, huh?
Yunice explained, “That stuff stains. Turns your skin purple-black like you’ve been beaten-and the color won’t fade for months.” She added casually, “With how rotten he is, he deserves a little lesson.”
Wyatt took a couple of seconds to process that, then gave a soft, cynical snort. “You’re devious.”
After their blood was drawn, the nurse pressed cotton balls on both of them. Yunice obediently held hers in place, then looked up and saw Wyatt toss his aside, tugging down his sleeve even though the wound was still bleeding.
She frowned. “Hold it a little longer.”
“No need. It’s annoying.” He had to hold a cane-he didn’t feel like bothering with the rest. The bleeding would stop on its own anyway.
“Then at least wait a bit before we leave. You already waited out there earlier-what’s the rush now?” Yunice rolled up his sleeve again.
Sure enough, male circulation was wild. Her own blood had barely come out, but Wyatt’s had already trickled along his arm in a bright red trail. She quickly pressed the cotton back down. “Look-it’s getting everywhere…”
Wyatt looked down at the top of her head, his expression unreadable. Since when did she start giving him orders?
, Lies, and Unwanted Ties
Taylor, holding her own paperwork, first noticed Paul’s lingering gaze. Then she turned to see Wyatt and Yunice sitting side by side. “Well, what a coincidence.”
Paul quickly looked away from Yunice. A moment ago he’d been in a fine mood-now, something dark stirred behind his eyes. Taylor went off to get her blood drawn, and Paul followed soon after.
Only then did Wyatt murmur, “Paul’s wedding is scheduled for the same day as ours.”
Yunice blinked. Then it made sense-of course, the Powell family had to compete with Wyatt’s every move, even down to the wedding date. She looked subconsciously at Taylor’s back. High-born, poised, beautiful-just standing next to someone like that gave them status. Compared to her, Yunice felt like a downgrade.
As if reading her mind, Wyatt said with a snort, “If you’re standing next to me, no one dares look down on you.”
So quit doubting yourself, he thought. The last thing Wyatt feared was public ridicule. Anyone who dared laugh would just become a future target.
Paul, now done with his blood draw and still holding the cotton to his arm, turned to look back-only to find Yunice’s seat empty.
Taylor tossed her cotton in the trash and smirked. “Don’t bother. She’s long gone. Didn’t even glance at you.”
Paul scoffed, “Who cares?”
Taylor chuckled. “You guys are all the same-don’t cherish her when you’ve got her, can’t stop eyeing her when she’s gone. You think you’re some golden trophy everyone wants to orbit?”
“Shut up.” Just hearing her speak made his skin crawl.
After that, Wyatt headed off to the urology department while Yunice was sent to gynecology. When she came out, she had her head down, reading her results-and walked straight into someone’s chest.
Startled, she instinctively stepped back-only to feel a hand clamp down on the back of her neck. Yunice looked up and locked eyes with Paul. His gaze dropped to her long, delicate neck. If he left a hickey there-what would Wyatt think!
Paul had never known fear. Every mess he’d ever made, the Powell family had cleaned up. He figured Wyatt wouldn’t kill him-so if he wanted to teach Yunice a lesson, why not?
Driven by impulse, Paul leaned down, aiming to bite the side of her neck.
, Lies, and Unwanted Ties
“Paul!” Taylor.
Yunice and Paul both stiffened, hearts hammering with guilt. There was no talking their way out of this situation.
Taylor’s high heels clicked authoritatively against the tile as she marched over and came to a stop in front of them. Then she raised her hand-and slapped Paul hard across the face.
Yunice flinched instinctively and stepped back to distance herself from them. Taylor merely glanced at her coolly and said, “Relax. I’m not here to slap you.”