CHAPTER 14
Diane watched them drive away from the balcony. She followed the disappearing car until she couldn’t see them anymore.
Joy and sadness mixed inside her heart.
She knew why Wind had been so eager to go with Celise. His protective instincts had awakened, and he didn’t want another cyborg near her.
It meant the transfer was working.
He was becoming Celise’s.
Maybe she wasn’t aware of it yet, but Diane didn’t doubt Wind would make her see it soon enough. A cyborg always felt overprotective of his bound one. It also meant he’d be safe once she was gone. It was a worry Diane had had ever since she’d found out she was sick.
Diane swallowed down tears. She had to stay strong. This was for the best. She was doing this for Wind. He had to live.
Diane took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and allowed a feeling of calmness fill her. Even if things were difficult, they were heading in the right direction, and Wind was so brave.
It was impossible to miss his pain, and that he didn’t want to do this. It had been so obvious yesterday, but today, it seemed easier for him. Diane was grateful for that.
A wave of pain hit her in the chest, making her moan and lean forward. Sweat broke out on her skin, and her body started to tremble. She sat still and tried to breathe through it. One minute passed, two more followed before the agony finally faded.
Diane exhaled and reclined in the chair, exhausted. She always felt so weak afterward, but she’d gotten used to this over the past year. Inflammation had broken out in her body, slowly killing her. Fever was a regular thing for her now. Luckily, today seemed to be a feverless day.
Diane didn’t know how long she sat like that, but she was glad Wind wasn’t there to see. She didn’t want him to see her at her weakest. She wanted him to remember her as she used to be, happy and full of energy.
A memory crossed her mind.
They’d been in Wind’s study, painting on canvases. Or at least, they’d been trying to. Before long, they’d started painting each other instead. It had ended with him taking her on the floor, both covered in paint.
Diane smiled.
She hoped Wind would create such memories with Celise. She prayed he’d be happy with her.
She liked the amazing and intelligent woman, even if Celise was rather shy, but Diane didn’t doubt Wind would make her relax and open up more. Once she got used to him, it shouldn’t be an issue. At least, Diane hoped for that.
The transfer was being made at the last minute.
Diane doubted she had many more months left. Her health had decreased rapidly the last two weeks, and that worried her, but she tried not to think about it. She’d wanted to wait and see if she’d improve, and that had been foolish of her.
Now, all she could do was hope the bond would be in Celise’s hands before she took her last breath.
Diane reached beneath the armchair and pulled out a thick photo album. She opened it, and browsed slowly, looking at each image for a few seconds.
The book was filled with photos of her and Wind. In the beginning, there were images of their time at MedAct, his first month as a newborn. The doctor, Alexander Fleming, who’d created Wind was in several of the images. He’d been in his early thirties back then, and he’d also been the owner of MedAct before Jade Silva.
Wind had been so innocent back then. The calmness he’d radiated had filled her with peace. He’d been just what she’d needed after living a stressful and hectic life for thirty years.
Her cyborg had brought her back to the present and given her a purpose. She’d created him to never feel lonely again, after being abandoned by both her parents and ex-husband.
It had been the best decision of her life.
When Celise had come into their lives a few years ago, Diane had instantly seen her fascination in Wind. It had bothered her at first, but as time had passed by, she’d realized Celise was harmless, and that her love for Wind was pure.
The girl had never tried to take Wind away from her, and today, Diane was thankful for Celise.
Diane remembered Alexander as a gentle soul with kind eyes and a huge passion for his work. It had been amazing to work with him. He’d always been supportive and had answered any questions she’d had. He’d always made her feel safe, and when Wind had opened his eyes, she’d known the right doctor had created him.
When she remembered what had happened to Alexander, a string of sorrow washed over her.
She and Alexander had stayed in contact after she and Wind had gone home. They’d been supervised by him during the first two years of Wind’s life, and he’d also become a close friend, but during those two years, Alexander had changed. He’d gone from being joyful to always looking over his shoulder.
Diane had no idea what’d happened to him, but something had taken away his smile. He’d even stopped spending time with them, but she still remembered their last conversation.
“Are you happy, Diane?” Alexander asked. “Is Wind everything you dreamt of?”
Diane nodded. “He is. I’m so happy to have him in my life. I don’t know where I’d be without him.” She moved away from the front door. “Do you want to come inside for a cup of tea?”
He seemed restless. He licked his lips and wrung his hands as he shook his head. “Thank you, but I just came by to make sure everything is all right.” The doctor paused. “The bond, is it still functioning as it should?”
She blinked. “Of course. You checked it just a few weeks ago. Don’t you remember?”
He seemed taken aback, as if he’d forgotten. “Yes, yes, I remember.”
Diane studied him. “Are you all right? You seem stressed.”
“I’m just having a tough day.” Alexander peaked inside the hallway without moving away from the door. “Is Wind here?”
“He’s upstairs, painting. We’re preparing for a new exhibition in a few months. Our paintings are in high demand. We almost have to work around the clock.” She smiled, but her worry for Alexander didn’t go away.
He nodded, rubbing his hands against each other again. “That’s good. It sounds like you’re both safe.”
Diane frowned. “Shouldn’t we be?”
Alexander didn’t answer. Instead, he whirled toward his car. “I have to go. Take good care of him, Diane.”
She winced. “What is—?”
The doctor raised his hand to interrupt her. “Just take good care of him. And Diane ... remember ...” He stopped and looked her deep into the eyes. “Wind has a choice.”
She opened her mouth to ask what he’d meant, but Alexander hurried away. He got into his car, and before she even had the chance to grasp what’d just happened, he drove away.
Two days later, Alexander was gone.
He’d vanished. Just like that.
His car had been found abandoned along the highway in the middle of the night, but with no trace of the doctor.
Even now, no one knew what’d happened to him.
Diane browsed through the photo album again. She stopped on a picture of him.
A tall and well-built man looked up at her from the photo that’d been taken at his office the day she and Wind had left MedAct. She and Wind stood next to him. Happiness beamed from both of them. It’d been a really wonderful day.
Alexander’s shaggy black hair was combed backward. Strands of gray decorated his head and short beard despite his youth. He wore his white doctor coat and a wide smile on his face. He looked proud, and she knew he’d been that day.
Wind had been one of his finest cyborgs. Alexander had admitted that to her.
Diane closed the photo album and rested her head against the backrest. She closed her eyes. Fatigue swept through her once more. “Where ever you are, my friend, I hope you’re happy.”