Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 311: Cora at Home 

Cora

When I wake up it’s almost eight at night and I groan, realizing that my sleep schedule is

completely wrecked. I’m reminded, suddenly, of my years as a medical resident when this sort of thing was normal – sleeping all day, taking night shifts, living moment to moment rather than a steady, scheduled life.

And quite frankly, right now? That sounds really wonderful, compared against a whole night of empty hours in which I have nothing to do but… think.

Think about what I’m doing in my life, think about my career which has gone in a really weird direction, think about my relationship…s.

About a certain kiss in the woods.

About a sweet doctor who, apparently, wants to build a life with me.

I sigh and sit up, looking around at my sterile little apartment. I never really decorated, I realize as

I look around at the grey and beige furniture, the simple linens, the charmless curtains. Everything is functional and high quality but none of it is… me?

Or is it?

I frown at my space, thinking of Ella’s sweet home that – even though Sinclair picked out most of the furniture before she moved in – still sings Ella Ella Ella in every corner. It’s warm and sweet

and comfortable. What does my space say about me?

I mean, I’m an orphan – I never had any possessions or any control over the environments in

which I lived, so where would I have learned to decorate? I never had a mother to show me how

So where did Ella…

eyes at myself, sick, again, of being jealous of my sister.

happy she has what she wants in her life. But

distraction from these disquieting- thoughts. But when I pick it up the first thing I see

did the

You

2

– I know

from you.

messages away and click through the rest of my phone, trying,

there’s nothing at all from Roger. Not a peep. As I take

mean, this is a little pathetic, but I’m outside. Can you let me in? I

your apartment door…

bit when I see that. Hank. He’s being so sweet and

want – despite what might have passed between us last night, it doesn’t change anything. And

wrong with me? Quickly, I jump out of my bed and dash for

I

a little, his eyes going wide, accidentally dropping the large bag of Chinese on the little mail table I

smiling at him, “I just woke up – we were up all night. It’s – I’m very sorry. I should have texted before

giving me his rare, warm smile. “I get it – you had a busy

frame and gesturing towards

a bit at the

the Chinese spread out around us on the coffee table, eating right out of the containers with the supplied chopsticks, Hank tells me all about his day. He held down the fort at the

he tells me his story, my eyes

in my stomach as I watch him, something that makes me…well, makes- me want to

asks, making me blink and focus on him. “Did you hear

I

squeezing it a bit before sitting back. “I was just curious if you think Ella would want to be more involved in the

dying to be more involved in the clinic,” I respond instantly, looking down at my chicken with broccoli and picking up a morsel. “But she doesn’t have any medical experience. Would she really be

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