Page 9 of A Prescription to My Heart

Talia sighs, setting her glass down. “Relax, Your Highness. Nina had an emergency and tried to call you, but I guess you’re too busy being brilliant to notice. I heard her getting frantic while unpacking groceries. I came over and explained that we work at the hospital together, and Marigold explained that she knows me. It really was an urgent situation. Something you probably should’ve picked up the phone for…”

I hesitate, wanting to check my phone to prove her wrong, but she goes on.

“Ninaalsotexted you, just so you don’t get angry at the poor girl. After Nina left Marigold saw I had lemons, got excited, and asked if we could make lemonade. What was I supposed to do? Say no?”

“Yes.”

She rolls her eyes. “Right. I should’ve turned away the tiny eight-year-old with big, pleading eyes.”

I exhale through my nose. “She doesn’t talk to strangers.”

Talia smirks. “Well, good thing I’m not a stranger.”

Something sharp twists in my chest. Idon’tlike that answer.

Marigold doesn’t get attached easily. She clings to routines, keeps people at arm’s length. It took her nearly ayearto let my mother hug her without pulling away. And yet, here she is, warming up to Talia like she’s known her forever and not just for a few vaccines.

I don’t trust it. I don’t trusther.

Talia stands, stretching lazily. I force my gaze away, back to her face. She catches it. Of course, she does.

Her smirk deepens. “Something wrong,Doctor?”

I grit my teeth. “I don’t need you interfering.”

She cocks her head, faux-thoughtful. “Funny. Because from where I’m standing, you could use the help.”

I take a step closer, crowding her space. She doesn’t move back.

“You don’t know anything about me or my family,” I say quietly.

Talia’s eyes flicker, something unreadable passing through them. “No,” she agrees. “But I know your daughter. And she likes me.”

That shouldn’t bother me. But it does.

More than it should.

I exhale sharply, stepping back. “Stay out of my family’s business.”

Talia’s lips twitch. “Maybe if you moved, I could leave.”

But before I can react, she brushes past me. I catch the scent of lemons and something softer—lavender, maybe.

I turn, watching her walk through the gate, the easy sway of her hips, the effortless confidence.

I don’t need this. Yet, as she disappears inside her house, I realize my jaw is clenched. When I realize I’m still staring after the spot where she disappeared, I exhale sharply and force myself to turn away.

How is Talia Vance getting under my skin so easily?

Chapter 3

Talia

ThemomentIstepinto Pediatrics, I know something’s wrong.

The air is thick with tension, voices sharp, urgent. Nurses move quickly, hands full of supplies. The steady beep of monitors fights against the panicked sounds of patients and family.

Just then, the door to Room 8 opens and Gina, another nurse, pokes her head out. She spies me immediately.

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