Chapter 5 Chapter 5 ( 96 ) 55 vouchers Matilda had come to lay it all on the table and talk divorce , but things spiraled fast - Kathy's life was suddenly hanging by a thread . " But , Brandon , " Shelby said , her voice all soft and worried , " what if she gets all emotional and pushes for a divorce ? " The damage was bad . Even if she pulled through surgery , the odds were she'd end up in a vegetative state . The doctors at Saints International Hospital were spooked by the Grimes family's clout . They didn't want to stick their necks out and end up in hot water , so they steered clear . Mike Goodwin , though , clued Brandon in on a hotshot medical professor , Allen , just back from overseas . Catch was , Allen wouldn't start until tomorrow . Mike slipped Brandon his contact info and said to give it a whirl . An hour later , Brandon was back , looking unusually thrown off . Allen was polite enough , but weird as hell and hard to read . Brandon had called , dropped his name , explained the deal , and offered a big paycheck . Allen's reply ? A calm , " Sorry , Mr. Grimes , you'll need to find someone else . " Not one to back down , Brandon showed up at Allen's place , only for the guy to fixate on the gash on his forehead and ask , " Who did that ? " Allen was thrown for a loop . 'What's that got to do with anything ? ' he thought . ' And how's it even remotely connected to asking him to do Mom's surgery ? ' Brandon stayed tight - lipped , and Allen slammed the door in his face . For some reason , the professor seemed to have a serious beef with him . Daniel wasn't messing around . " This surgery has to be Allen , " he growled , shooting a nasty look at Matilda . " I don't care how you make it happen , but get him here . If Kathy doesn't pull through ... " His voice trailed off , his eyes flicking to Domburgh's House of Heart . The House of Heart was a sanctuary Matilda and Brandon had built under Crossen Technology's name - a home for earthquake survivors who couldn't survive on their own . As Crossen's chairman , Daniel could shut it down in a heartbeat . Matilda's slender fingers curled tight in front of her , her lifeline caught in his grip . Daniel stormed off . Brandon didn't even glance her way , just told Mike to find another doctor . 9:13 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 5 ... He didn't believe for a second Matilda could convince Allen . Hell , Brandon had offered a priceless family heirloom , and Allen hadn't even blinked . Matilda , nursing her scalded arm , called out to Brandon as he headed for the doctor's office . 96 55 vouchers He turned , his gorgeous face cold as ice . " I've got a deal ," she said . " If I can get Professor Allen to do mom's surgery , you agree to a quick , no - drama divorce . " your Brandon's shoulders tensed for a split second . " Let's see you actually make it happen ," he scoffed . Who does she think she is ? ' he thought . ' No guy is gonna jump through hoops for her - especially not me . Not anymore . ' ***** Matilda stared at the phone number in her hand , letting out a long sigh . She thought if she'd known she'd need Allen's help , she would've been way nicer to him last night in Domburgh . Too late for that now - she'd just have to suck it up and try . She dialed . As the phone rang , her usually steady heartbeat went all over the place . It went to the last ring before a smooth , slightly shaky voice answered , " Hey , this is Allen Saunders . Who's this ? " His politeness caught her off guard . " Uh ... it's Matilda , " she stumbled , then added quickly , " We met last night in Domburgh . I helped you and your daughter get out of the cemetery . " " Yeah , I remember you ," he said , his tone warm and easy . Matilda chose her words carefully . " Sorry to bug you , but I need a huge favor . My mother - in - law had a brain hemorrhage . She's at Saints International Hospital- " " I'm on my way, " Allen cut in . " Huh ? " Matilda blinked , sure she'd misheard . " I'll be there in , like , fifteen minutes ." " Oh , awesome ! " she managed , still in shock . She hung up , her head spinning . " That's it ? I just ... got help , just like that ? ' she thought to herself . ' Guess it's because I stepped in to ' save ' Jolene last night . ' Looks like kindness really does pay off with some unexpected luck ! ' 9:13 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 5 ***** A 96 E55 vouchers Matilda hadn't eaten lunch and was pressing a hand to her growling stomach when Allen's voice came from above . " You hurt again ? " She looked up to see him eyeing the blisters on her arm . His sharp , almost too - perfect face had a quiet , refined charm . " Dr. Saunders , " she started , about to dive into Kathy's condition , but he beat her to it . " Let me take care of that first , " he said , his voice warm like a summer breeze . " It's fine , " Matilda said . " There's a way worse case waiting for you . " Allen paused , then said , " I handle patients in order . If your arm's not fixed , I can't focus on the next one ." Matilda raised an eyebrow , thrown off . " Alright , fine ." They walked side by side , keeping it friendly but not too close . A doctor in a white coat spotted Allen and grinned . " Hey , Allen ! Thought you weren't starting till tomorrow ! " The doc's eyes landed on Matilda , a flicker of interest crossing his face . " Wait , isn't that- " Allen cut him off fast . " Hey , Dr. Hammond , I'm with a patient . Catch you later ? " The other doctor smirked , dragging out a teasing , " Oh , got it , got it . " Matilda's shoulder - length curls were tucked behind one ear , showing off a delicate , pale earlobe . She wasn't big on smiling , especially not now , and her cool , keep - your - distance vibe was crystal clear . But Allen was chatty , acting like they'd been friends forever . Out of the blue , he asked if the bruise on her face and the burns on her arm had anything to do with her husband . Matilda wasn't about to spill her drama to a near - stranger . She sidestepped it . " Dr. Saunders , my mother - in - law's had high blood pressure for years . She got upset , and it triggered the hemorrhage . " I'm begging you to do everything you can to make sure she comes through okay , no complications . It's super important to me . " Allen paused while applying the ointment . " You and your mother - in - law ... you two close ? " " Nope . It's a total trainwreck ," Matilda said bluntly . " But please , do your best . I'll owe you big , and I won't forget it ." Allen studied her closely . Her eyes were bright and full of feeling , but there was a cold edge to them , a hint of quiet pain underneath . 9:13 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 5 ' Has life been kicking her around lately ? ' he thought . : ( 96 ) E55 vouchers Brandon stepped out of the doctor's office and called Shelby , knowing his little sister was probably freaking out . Sure enough , she was crying when she picked up , her voice wobbly . " Brandon , how's Mom ? Is your head still bleeding ? " I'm so scared something's gonna happen to you guys . Is Matilda still there ? I wanna come to the hospital , but I'm worried she'll be mad ... " Brandon didn't answer , his eyes glued to a man and a woman nearby . They were standing close - way too close . The guy was leaning down , his shadow practically swallowing her whole . And their shadows , stretched across the floor , blended into one . 田