Reunion With His Surgeon Princess

Seth hadn’t been as prepared to face Kaja as he’d thought. For some reason he’d thought he’d fly out here, do the job he was required to do and, once he’d seen her, all that past hurt and betrayal would melt away. He’d got it into his head that facing her would make him realise everything had turned out for the best. After all, if Kaja hadn’t run out on him he wouldn’t have slept with someone else on the rebound or had Amy as a consequence. While he regretted the hasty marriage, he’d never be sorry for his daughter’s existence. She was his everything.

He’d known the minute he’d set eyes on Kaja again closure wasn’t going to be achieved so easily. It didn’t matter that five years had passed, that they’d both married, and divorced, since, or that he’d become a father. In that moment, seeing her again had transported him back to the day he’d proposed. When she’d rejected him, packed her bags in the middle of the night and disappeared without a trace. All the confusion and fear of that time was tied up in the memory. Along with the anger and sense of betrayal he’d felt when he’d seen her on the news as word of her mother’s death had spread. A princess. He’d had no inkling of her heritage, couldn’t imagine Kaja as anything other than his busy surgeon girlfriend. Until now.

She’d swapped her green scrubs and sneakers for pink silk and diamonds but she was as beautiful as ever. As though her fairy godmother had waved a magic wand and enhanced her natural beauty for the oblivious prince who’d needed it spelled out to him what an amazing woman she was. It was unfortunate her real Prince Charming had turned out to be anything but, according to the papers. Seth took no pleasure in reading about her heartache but perhaps there was something to be said for the commoner she’d snubbed after all. Seth had loved her for who she was, or, at least, who he’d believed she was, with no need for a substitute.

He knew what it was to be hurt and to think you were inadequate. After all, he’d been abandoned by a teenage mother who’d thought having a baby would ruin her life and a wife who’d pretty much thought the same about him and their daughter. Kaja hadn’t even bothered to give him a reason why his love wasn’t enough for her.

Despite their personal history, Kaja had deserved better than being cheated on. Just as he’d deserved better than being ghosted.

‘I mean, when it comes down to health matters we’re no better off than the average person. We can fly the best renal surgeon out here to perform the transplant but there’s no guarantees my father and brother will survive. If anything happens to them I’ll have no one left in my life.’ Her voice broke. It was at odds with the cool composure she’d shown at the airport. He’d known in that instant she hadn’t regretted her actions when she’d seemed so personally unmoved by seeing him again. Meanwhile his insides had been churning as though he’d hit turbulence even after he’d stepped off the plane.

For a split second he’d wondered if she’d missed him or what they’d had together. She’d quickly shut down that idea, letting him know it was her family she was getting emotional over. He should’ve known better. Kaja’s family was all she’d cared about in the end. It was a pity he hadn’t known about their existence until it had been too late to do anything.

‘Hey, have a little faith in your transplant surgeon. Nothing’s going to take them away from you. Besides, don’t you have a whole country to keep you company?’ Since his gran had passed he’d been more aware than ever of his limited social circle. With his time no longer eaten up talking to carers or visiting the home, outside work Amy was his whole world. While he was content with that, he knew it wasn’t healthy for a four-year-old. Before that cruel disease had robbed her of cognitive thought, Gran herself had made him swear to get a life of his own after she’d gone. To take Amy to see the world and have adventures.

Kaja’s call for help had been a well-timed gift, an easier way out than forging new friendships in a place where he’d happily existed on the periphery of society. His busy life as a renal transplant and general surgeon made it challenging to balance work and home life. As a result any thoughts of another romantic relationship had gone on the back burner in favour of spending time with his daughter and grandmother when he could. Now he’d packed up and fled the country with his daughter so he didn’t have to face life without the woman who’d been the only constant in his life. This trip had been the cowardly way out of his grief and he knew that sense of loss would be waiting for him on his return.

Kaja might be feeling sorry for herself now but she had no idea what it truly meant to be abandoned by the ones you loved. He’d been abandoned by his own mother and wife. Whereas she was the one who did the abandoning.

Kaja disputed his take on her life with a, ‘Hah!’

‘Daddy, look!’ Amy was straining to see out of the window. He leaned over to see what had caught her attention.

His mouth dropped open as they drove up a winding avenue lined with blush-pink cherry blossoms and crystal-clear dancing water fountains.

‘Home, sweet home,’ Kaja mocked as the imposing mansion at the end of the drive came into view.

Gleaming white stone pillars, marble steps and balconies on every level of the ornate building gave it the appearance of a grand, layered wedding cake. A congregation of immaculately dressed people spilled out to meet the car. Seth immediately unbuckled Amy’s seat belt and took her hand so she didn’t get lost in the throng.

‘Baby, we’re not in Cambridge any more.’

CHAPTER TWO

‘I’LL GET THAT for you, sir.’

‘Let me take your bag for you, sir.’

The car had barely come to a halt before there was a flurry of helping hands refusing to let Seth so much as open the door on his own. He clutched Amy closer in case she was spirited away by Kaja’s staff with his luggage.

‘Hold my hand so you don’t get lost, sweetheart.’

‘I suppose it is all rather much.’ Kaja winced.

It hadn’t been his intention to make her self-conscious about her life here. She must have preferred it to the one they’d had together as she’d left it behind so readily.

If they were going to spend the next few weeks under the same roof they were going to have to get along. All issues—personal or socio-economic—would have to be set aside in order for him to treat her father. His patients’ backgrounds were none of his business unless it impacted on their health. From everything he’d seen so far, Kaja’s father had the best of everything money could buy. Including health care. However, his status wasn’t going to affect Seth’s ability to do his job. He always did his best regardless of wealth or the status of his patients.

‘I’m sure we’ll get used to it.’ He flashed her a grin. Reassurance that they could make this work. It was his duty to put the minds of his patients’ family members at ease where he could. Even if these were unusual circumstances.

‘Daddy? Can we have a sleepover in the princess castle?’ Amy tugged on his shirt, her eyes wide as she took in the majesty, the likes of which he’d only seen in picture books.

‘See?’ he said to Kaja with a laugh. ‘I think we’ll fit in just fine.’

‘Good. Why don’t we go in and I’ll show you to your rooms.’ The worry lines marring her forehead evened out into a smile matching his daughter’s.

Now that the palace staff had disappeared inside with his belongings it was slightly less intimidating. At least, until they walked through the doors.

The ‘wow’ escaped his lips before he could temper his reaction. It was difficult to say anything else when faced with the sheer opulence of the décor within the palace.

The rich purple and silver colour scheme combined with the draped silks and brightly coloured tapestries lining the walls was how he imagined the genie’s pad inside the magic lamp looked.

When the imposing oak door swung shut, echoing through the halls, it made the situation very real. The heavyset dude who shadowed Kaja’s every move without saying a word remained on the outside acting as a sentry.

‘Your apartments are this way.’

Not room, he noted as Kaja led them up a flight of steps to the ‘apartments’.

‘There is an elevator should you wish to use it but I prefer to take the stairs otherwise I’d never get any exercise.’

The Kaja he’d known would’ve been bored rigid at being chauffeured everywhere, barely allowed to lift a finger. Like him, she’d been someone who’d thrived on being busy, being needed, and had enjoyed her privacy. The alone time they’d spent together had been more precious than he’d realised.

‘I don’t think you have anything to worry about on that score.’ He could see she’d lost weight and some of her curves but none of her beauty. She had an elegant grace about her now befitting a princess. That look-don’t-touch vibe was so different from the warm, tactile Kaja he’d planned to marry.

She paused on the steps with her hand resting on the mahogany bannister and slowly turned to look back at him. It was then he realised her backside had been in his eyeline when he’d made that last comment, and he attempted to backtrack.

‘I mean, I’m sure you get a workout simply moving from one room to another in here. A few circuits sprinting up and down these steps every morning will help keep me in shape too.’ It wasn’t a total lie to cover his tracks. He’d let his gym membership lapse when he’d been busy running between Amy’s childcare and Gran’s nursing home. He’d have to begin a fitness regime when the hospitality thus far had been so effectively displayed. Getting fed around here didn’t seem as though it was going to be a problem. Especially when there were silver dishes piled high with juicy citrus fruit and pastel-coloured almonds dotted around the palace at regular intervals.

‘Uh-huh.’ Kaja gave him a disbelieving look then carried on up the staircase.

Amy broke away from him, sprinting on up to reach the landing first. Not waiting for the adults to catch up, she bolted down the corridor, giddy at having so much space to go wild in after being cooped up in a plane for so long.

‘Amy, keep the noise down and don’t touch anything.’ He had visions of her bursting in on an unsuspecting dignitary and causing an international incident as she treated the place like her own. A child her age had no comprehension of the complex relationships going on around her. Only the scope of the place for potential fun and mischief. Seth didn’t know if Kaja understood what she was in for hosting his daughter.

‘Oh, don’t worry. You’re the only ones on this floor apart from me and the staff. She won’t disturb anyone. Bruno and father are already at the private hospital where you’ll be working. I’ll take you to see them later. I’m sure you and Amy would appreciate some time to settle in first.’

‘Thanks. That’s very kind of you. I think a nap might be in order.’

‘No problem. I know at your age you need all the sleep you can get.’

The jibe caught him off guard, as did the mischievous grin she was sporting. It was a glimpse back at the girl who’d teased him constantly about being a whole three years older and of the close relationship they’d once had.

‘Ha, ha. I was thinking more of Amy.’ He would never admit the day had taken its toll on him as well, albeit on a more emotional level than he’d anticipated. If Kaja remained unaffected by his presence after all these years as she seemed, there was no point in letting her know he still had unresolved feelings surrounding their past.

He’d only jumped into the relationship with Paula because he’d been so desolate without Kaja and he’d needed someone to provide the company, the intimacy he’d lost with her gone. In hindsight he could see that by rushing headlong into that relationship he’d opened himself up to further rejection from Paula. They hadn’t known each other long enough to survive a pregnancy and a marriage so soon after meeting. Perhaps he’d been so keen for the family he’d pictured with Kaja he’d transferred those dreams unfairly onto his spouse. In some way perhaps he’d also wanted to prove his absent mother wrong, prove that it was possible to have a successful career and children. And that someone could love him and want him in their life. Though as of now, the only person who did was his daughter.

‘Of course you were…’ She patted him on the shoulder with the tease but he noticed the flare of panic in her eyes when she realised what she was doing and snatched her hand away again. It was too late for him to forget her touch now he had physical proof this wasn’t a dream and she was real after all.

‘Now, this is where you will be staying.’ She snapped back into courteous hostess mode and opened the ornately carved oak door etched with leaves and flowers, leading to a suite so big Seth feared he’d lost Amy already. The gold and cream colour scheme wasn’t easy on the eyes as it screamed money. Along with not being childproof.

‘Just us? I’m sure we could fit in a few more single-parent families if you wanted to open this up as a holiday retreat.’ He wasn’t trying to be facetious but this one room would swallow up his entire house and still leave enough space to build another.

Kaja ignored the comment, picked up a porcelain bell from the glass table just inside the door and gave it a tinkle. Immediately, one of the staff he’d seen outside appeared in the doorway.

‘This is Nils. If you need anything ring the bell. He’s here to assist you in any way he can.’

‘I really don’t think that’ll be necessary.’ He wasn’t aware how long it had taken Kaja to get used to having people running around after her but he was sure it was longer than a few weeks.

His home with Kaja in Cambridge had once been their oasis away from the outside world. A private place to be themselves away from the stresses of hospital life and people who wanted something from them. That hadn’t changed for him. He was still in the same house and it remained his safe haven. No matter how luxurious Kaja’s residence was, he wasn’t going to trade his and Amy’s privacy to take advantage of the perks offered.

He couldn’t imagine Kaja slobbing around in her PJs here on a day off, eating cereal out of the box and binge-watching her favourite TV shows. Mind you, he couldn’t see this perfectly polished princess knowing how to chill out at all any more.

‘It’s no trouble at all, sir. I’m at your disposal.’ The deferential bow didn’t go any way to assuaging Seth’s discomfort at having someone at his personal beck and call.

‘I think that will be all for now, Nils.’ Kaja dismissed her employee on his behalf. It was disconcerting to find she could summon this impressive male specimen at the mere ring of a bell. Although Kaja’s personal life was nothing to do with him any more. He was here in a professional capacity. To perform a life-saving operation, then get the hell out of fantasy land and back to the real world.

‘Seth, I know you value your privacy but you’re going to need help. With Amy, at least. It’s not a comment on your character to accept some assistance. Think of it as a perk.’

‘Daddy, come and see my room. It’s got toys and everything.’ Amy appeared and grabbed him by the hand, tugging him away from Kaja and any chance of a meaningful conversation.

‘We got a few things in to make your stay more enjoyable. I’ll arrange transport over to the hospital when you’re ready. Amy is welcome to help herself to the toys.’

‘I appreciate you going to all this trouble for us.’ She’d gone to a lot of effort to make them comfortable. Some might say too much. He couldn’t help but think it was due to a guilty conscience and was beginning to wish they’d booked into a hotel instead.

Kaja excused herself and left the room. With the door closed behind her, separating her from Seth and Amy, she let out a long, ragged breath. Seeing him again was never going to be a straightforward meet and greet when theirs had been much more than a professional acquaintance. She’d known that. Yet, she hadn’t been prepared for the tumultuous emotions seeing him again would churn up.

Her entire adult life seemed to flash before her eyes in the short time since they’d been reacquainted. All the mistakes she’d made, the regrets, and, almost worst of all, the good times she’d had with Seth, came flooding into her brain. Cuddled up together back then, there’d been none of this awkward formality she’d adopted to protect her status in her home country and her heart.

When she’d heard he had a daughter he intended to bring with him it was undeniable evidence that Seth had been in another serious relationship. A marriage no less. Except Amy, the spitting image of her father, was completely adorable and Kaja had fallen in love with her the second she’d taken her hand.

Now it was going to be doubly hard not to get personally involved with her house guests. The sooner she got Seth settled at the hospital to oversee her father’s kidney transplant, the better. Then her whole focus would be on her family’s survival.

‘Is everything all right, ma’am?’

‘Yes, Fatima. I’m going to retire to my quarters now. Perhaps you could bring me some tea.’

‘Right away.’ Her faithful lady-in-waiting was more of a friend and a confidante, the only person Kaja could talk to, but when it came down to it, Fatima was paid to listen. Just as Seth was being paid to be here. It appeared the richer she was, the higher status she had, the lonelier she became. She didn’t want to be alone in her ivory tower any more and would give anything to be back in England where she’d had work colleagues, friends, neighbours and a loving boyfriend. But she’d given it all up to do her duty to her country and could never go back.

Even here in her own home she couldn’t simply take a duvet day for some time out of her duties. There were always people coming and going, expecting an audience with her without offering any real, personal interaction. She also had an image to maintain, if only in the presence of the palace staff. Sometimes she wondered if Seth was the only one who’d ever truly known her but she hadn’t been honest with him either about who she was or where she’d come from.

Now he knew the truth, Seth would see right through her to how unhappy she was in this life she’d left him for. It was karma, she supposed, for what she’d put him through. Not only had she lied to him but she’d abandoned Seth and the life they’d had together as though it were nothing. The truth was it had been everything.

CHAPTER THREE

‘FATIMA’S GOING TO mind you while Daddy’s at work. I’ll see you when I get back, okay?’ Seth kissed his baby on the top of her head then joined Kaja at the front door.

‘She’ll be fine, Mr Davenport. Amy and I have this whole house to play in. We can make some cookies for everyone to enjoy later too.’ Fatima separated the clingy youngster from her father’s trouser leg.

‘You’ll enjoy that, Amy. Fatima makes the best cookies in the country.’ When she had free time, Kaja helped Fatima bake too. It took her mind off matters outside the kitchen and she got to comfort eat afterwards.

While it didn’t help maintain her trim waistline, whipping up a few biscuits went a long way to clearing the clutter from her mind. Worries, memories, regrets—it was better to bake them in the oven than spend another night locked away in a room with them.

‘I’ll see you later, sweetie.’ Seth gave Amy one last hug then Fatima distracted her with one of the new toys they’d bought so she wouldn’t fret after him—a bright yellow convertible car to drive her dolls around in was just the thing to draw her attention.

‘If there are any problems, call me. You’ve got my phone number, right?’

‘Yes, Mr Davenport.’ Fatima was smiling but she probably just wanted them to leave so she could get on with taking care of her charge. She loved children and helped raise Kaja and Bruno. They’d preferred her company over any of the nannies their parents had ever employed and she’d become like their second mum. As someone who’d devoted her life to looking after others, the prospect of spending the day with an excitable four-year-old was undoubtedly preferable to her usual housework routine.

‘Don’t worry. The Royal Alderisi Hospital is only five minutes down the road.’ There were some advantages to ruling such a small country and having access to the best health care money could buy was one of them.

She led Seth outside where the afternoon sunshine cast a golden glow on everything it touched, illuminating the immaculately manicured gardens and showing off her country in the very best light.

‘Can’t we walk? It’s a beautiful day and, well, I’m finding everything a little stifling in there.’

Kaja understood. Between the staff, and their history waiting patiently to be unpicked, it was claustrophobic. There was barely room to breathe despite the size of the place. However, when you were royalty simple things such as a walk alone weren’t possible. Another thing she missed about England, where people were too busy, too involved in their own lives to be concerned with hers.

‘Sorry.’ She shrugged, continuing to apologise for the way she ran her life here. ‘It’s a security issue. With the amount of preparation it would take in advance, it’s quicker and easier to take the car. Perhaps we can work something out for tomorrow.’

Seth sighed and approached the limo already waiting for them with the doors open and the chauffeur readied. He’d obviously tired of the regime after only a couple of hours but seeing it might help him understand why she’d left in the first place and moved to Cambridge.

‘It doesn’t matter. I’m being a nuisance. It’ll take a bit of time to get used to things here, that’s all. You don’t have to keep apologising for everything.’ He gestured for her to get into the car first and once the door closed she wished that walk were a possibility. Now there was no escape from confronting their troubled history.

‘Don’t I?’ If she said sorry every day for the entire time he was here it wouldn’t be enough to cancel out the wrong she’d done him.

‘It’s your life. You shouldn’t have to apologise for the way you live. I’m only here in a professional capacity after all.’ He’d sat at the opposite end from her on the back seat. For all her worry about being enclosed in here with him, now she wanted to close some of that emotional distance that had settled between them.

‘That’s not strictly true, is it? I got you here to carry out my father’s kidney transplant because I know you’re the best, but it would be remiss of me not to address what happened five years ago.’

‘I don’t want to drag that up and cause any ill feeling that might impact on the job I’m here to do.’ Seth’s attempt to evade the subject only succeeded in making Kaja feel worse by admitting there was lingering resentment on his part. She didn’t want to create a toxic environment at the hospital, or in her home, but neither did she want to keep acting as though they were strangers. In her opinion it was better to get things out and clear the air instead of tiptoeing around each other faking congeniality.

‘That’s why I thought it best to tackle it now and explain myself. It’s the least you deserve.’

He didn’t argue any further, proving her right. She took a deep breath and settled her hands in her lap in the hope they would stop shaking.

‘I should have told you about my family from the start. I am sorry about that.’ Along with everything else, but apologies couldn’t alter history.

‘Why didn’t you, Kaja? We had a life together. I thought I knew who you were.’ When he did look at her the pain shining so brightly in his eyes took her breath away. All this time she’d convinced herself he’d got over her was rendered a convenient lie when he was clearly still so affected by her actions.