Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 424

The room was quiet, the curtains swaying gently in the night breeze. Outside, rain began to fall—a fierce summer downpour that misted in through the open window. A nurse was making her rounds, checking to make sure all the windows were closed against the storm.

Just as she reached Noreen’s room, a loud clap of thunder startled Noreen awake.

“It’s okay, just some thunder,” the nurse explained quickly. “I was just checking the window.”

“It’s open,” Noreen said, her voice groggy. “It was stuffy this afternoon, so I opened it for some air.” She glanced toward the window.

And then she paused. It was closed.

The nurse saw it too. “Another nurse must have closed it for you. It’s all right, you can go back to sleep.”

After the nurse left, silence returned to the room. Noreen figured she was right and thought nothing more of it. As she lay back down, she noticed the air conditioner had been set to 26 degrees Celsius—her favorite temperature. She had turned it down when she opened the window and had forgotten to adjust it back. The nurse must have done it when she closed the window. The staff at this hospital really was attentive.

The next morning, Sophia arrived early to accompany Noreen to a series of follow-up tests.

“Did you sleep well, Noreen?”

“Well enough.”

“That’s good. I was worried last night’s thunderstorm might have kept you up.”

Even at this early hour, the hospital’s diagnostic department was already crowded.

“Noreen, you sit here and wait. I’ll get in line and call you when it’s our turn,” Sophia said, finding her a seat.

Just as Noreen sat down, she saw Seth in the queue. He must have arrived very early, as he was near the front. She didn’t pay him much mind, quickly looking away and opening a document on her phone to get some work done.

She had only reviewed two files when Sophia called, telling her it was her turn.

*That was fast,* she thought.

“Thank you for the kind offer, Dr. Wynne, but perhaps another time. I’ll make an appointment specifically to see you.”

“All right,” Dr. Wynne said. “Take care of yourself.”

Just as Noreen bid the doctor farewell, Dylan arrived.

“How were the results?” he asked, immediately taking over for Sophia and offering Noreen his arm for support.

“They won’t be out until this afternoon. Why are you more anxious than I am?” Noreen teased with a smile.

They walked side by side, looking for all the world like a couple. This warm, harmonious scene unfolded in full view of the two people behind them. Noreen’s expression was gentle as always, her face tilted up toward Dylan, a smile playing on her lips as she spoke. Dylan seemed to lean in closer, as if to catch her words.

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