Chapter 69

Tom showing up didn't shock me one bit. I knew he'd come. The cops had already told the family after everything went down.

When they carried Tammy out of the house, all the neighbors were out there, watching and gossiping. Some even blamed Zack, saying George and Tammy had raised an ungrateful kid.

Someone had already called him, cursing him out with all kinds of nasty words. There was also a lot of anger towards Tom, but most of it was probably about the crappy compensation from the Sand Village demolition case.

When Tom saw me, he hesitated, his eyes darting around, but he still walked over. This was the only way to get to Tammy's ward.

"Should I call you Zack or Tom?" I looked him up and down. He was all dressed up, but then he took off his gold-rimmed glasses and rubbed his eyes, looking exhausted.

When he looked up again, I noticed something off about his eyes. His right eye was red, like he'd been crying, and his left eye seemed kind of dull, not as sharp.

I got it, it was a fake eye.

Just like Tom and Zack, one real, one fake, one dead, one alive.

"Just call me Tom. Alan used to call me that too. We came up with the name together. I only go by Zack in Sand Village." Tom put his glasses back on and smiled. "The doctor said the critical period is over. Thanks for everything. I'll go see my mom first."

He was very straightforward, and I didn't say much. Since he accepted who he was, the next steps would be easier.

I followed him. Zoey, who was taking care of Tammy, saw Tom come in and stepped out, standing with me at the door.

There was no dramatic scene like on TV, where the devoted son rushes to his mom's side, crying and making everyone emotional.

Tom sat on the chair by the bed, took off his glasses, and held Tammy's hand to his cheek, gently rubbing it like he was still a kid.

Then he buried his face in the blanket, his shoulders shaking a bit, crying silently.

Zoey and I exchanged a look and left the doorway, waiting in the hallway.

About ten minutes later, Tom came out. He was about to take off his glasses, but seeing Zoey next to me, he adjusted them and put his hand down.

"Who's this?" Tom asked.

"My apprentice, Zoey Taylor. She was with me when it happened," I said flatly.

Tom thanked her and handed her his business card, saying, "If you need anything, just let me know. I'll help however I can."

Zoey didn't take it, raising an eyebrow, "I heard you asked Mr. Martin to buy insurance. I don't dare to accept it."

I was taken aback for a moment, remembering that day at dinner when Howard vividly recounted how Tom had intimidated him. But Howard, undeterred by threats, had risked angering a business partner for the sake of Alan's case.

Zoey probably knew Howard's temperament and figured he had likely exaggerated the story, but she remembered the part about Tom asking Howard to buy insurance.

Howard's care for Zoey hadn't been in vain; she was already standing up for him.

Tom was caught off guard for a moment, then it clicked, "You're Howard's niece?"

He sighed and waved his hand, "Forget it. With your master's skills, it was only a matter of time before he figured out who I am. Howard was just venting. I'll apologize next time I see him."

He handed the business card to Zoey again. "Now you can take it, right? There are a lot of ways I can help in Silverlight City. This is my way of saying thanks. If you need anything, I'll do my best to help."

Seeing Zoey accept it, Tom nodded and said, "Alright, I'll discuss some other matters with Mrs. Smith. If you need anything, call me. And don't worry, I'll apologize to Howard."

It seemed Tom still didn't fully trust Zoey. The business card and promise were partly to thank her and partly to make sure she wouldn't interrupt our conversation.

He was a sharp guy, but he had this vibe like he had everything under control, which I didn't really like.

This hospital was one of the top three in the city and among the best in the entire northwest region. The medical tech was top-notch, and the facilities were great, providing a good environment for patients' families.

After leaving the inpatient building, there was a big plaza with rest areas and dining options, a nice spot for patients' families to chill.

Tom and I walked to a café and sat on the outdoor chairs.

Tom took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, looked up at the midday sun, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to relax.

From the hospital hallway to the café, there was a stretch of about 150 feet with dim lighting. Tom's breathing was heavy and slow. Despite his efforts to control it, I could still hear the rough, muffled sound.

I suddenly remembered that during the trial, Tom had mentioned he had claustrophobia. Had it gotten so bad that he felt this uncomfortable in the dark?

It might be related to his childhood experience in that child trafficking camp.

Plus, there was a detail. Tom seemed to only take off his expensive gold-rimmed glasses and reveal his prosthetic eye in front of people he trusted.

"You must have looked into Tony and Anna's situation when you went to Sand Village." Tom took out a pack of cigarettes from his clothes, "Mind if I smoke?"

I shook my head.

"No need to act all refined. It feels great to smoke whenever I want." Tom squinted, skillfully lighting a cigarette. Thin smoke slowly drifted from his mouth.

He paused and said, "I know about Anna's past. I know what kind of person she is. I know why she wanted to marry Tony despite knowing about his condition."

"Lally said Tony thinks highly of you. You should have advised him." Seeing Tammy lying in the hospital and Anna doing this for the insurance policy, I couldn't help but say.

"Fate's a funny thing." Tom shook his head slowly, his face showing bitterness, "Tony's character is still like my dad's. No matter how big the issue, he keeps it to himself. Once he makes up his mind, no one can change it."

"Who do you think Anna looks like?" Tom asked.

She looked like who? Why ask this suddenly?

The only people who had contact with Anna were Tony and Tammy. I didn't know anyone else.