I found another letter in the post. It's bothering but I just proceeded on  arranging the tray and adding the letter to it.

I smiled as I saw the contents of the letter. The post usually arrives after three days so they must be here. I suppose I should prepare.

As soon as I've finished preparing the table. The doorbell rang.

I wiped my hands and went towards the door.

"Felix, hun? It's me, Linda. I'm with the kids. Could you please open the door for us? It's cold out here."

It seems that a weight has been taken off my chest when I heard what she said.

"Coming."

I hurried towards the door and opened it. 

They were shocked the moment the door opened. I'm confused, I'm sure I greeted them with a smile.

Have I been smiling too wide?

"Bonjour. Quel semble être le problème?"

They stared at me in silence.

"You... don't speak French? That's fine. My bad. I should have known."

I chuckled.

"I'm sorry but this feels awkward. Why are you staring at me like that?"

"I suppose we must've misread the location. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

She turned and is about to leave when I grabbed her hand.

"Are you looking for Felix? Dr. Felix Cambridge?"

She looked at me with eyes so dark and full of longingess.

"You've come to the right place. Pease, do come in."

She hesitantly walked to the door, clutching the baby on her left arm and holding a five-year-old kid on another.

"How do you want your tea blended? The journey must've been long and tiring, sit down and take a rest. The croissant is soft and best eaten hot."

"Where's my husband?"

"Dr. Felix is-"

"Are you his mistress? Is that why he hasn't been writing me back because he's busy enjoying your bread and choosing the flavour of tea that you'd be brewing? There hasn't been even a 'hello, I'm fine' since the moment he left. I'd totally understand why'd he choose you over me because, look at you, so beautiful, so endearing."

She paused to breath while trying to hold back her tears.

"While I look like some witch with two children. I just wish he told me he was fine so I haven't been worried sick while waiting for him."

"I am not his mistress, ma'am. I am his nurse, Anne. Ravi de vous rencontrer"

She looked at me with confusion so visible to her face.

"Oh, I always forget that you don't speak french. I meant, nice to meet you."

"No, not that. What do you mean with 'you're his nurse'?"

"Your husband, Dr. Felix did not come here for a business trip like what your letters says. He came here to get treated for cancer. He has been bedridden since he got here and did not have the energy to speak or to move much so he cannot write back to you. I see that he yearns to reply to every letter you send but he couldn't even finish speaking a sentence even if he tries."

"How is he?"

I shook my head.

"W-where is he now?"

Her nose started getting runny and her hand is trembling.

"He's upstairs, mademoiselle- i mean, ma'am."

"He's inside one of the rooms?"

I went and took the baby from her before replying,

"There is only a single room,"

She immediately turned from me and went upstairs.

"What about you two? Are you hungry?"

"Is daddy going to be okay?"

The kid asked me with teary eyes.

"I hope so, honey."

I reached to her and wiped her eyes.

"How old are you?"

"I'm five."

"What about this handsome boy that I'm carrying?"

"One."

"Oh, you are the eldest sister, huh?"

"I'm bigger than him. Can't you tell?"

I laughed.

"Alright. Alright. Let's go stuff ourselves while we wait for mama, okay?"

She nodded, went to the table, said grace and started eating.

"You're a good cook." 

She says while poking the cream in her chocolate drink.

"Of course I am!"

The two went asleep at the fireplace after finishing their food. I went upstairs to check on Dr. Felix.

I entered after a knock.

"Anne's your name right?" Mrs. Cambridge says.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Do you have kids?"

"No, ma'am,"

"A lover?"

"No, ma'am."

"How do you see your job?"

She is kneeling at the side of the bed, near his husband's chest and hasn't turned to me once. I find it odd but answers her anyways.

"I am passionate of it, ma'am."

"That's nice. Well, I hope you can take care of my children the same way you have taken good care of my husband."

She finally turned to me and I stared in pure horror. 

A pole has been struck at the middle of her collarbone, the sternum, and has been pushed so deep that I could see the other end peeking at her belly.

I rushed to her as blood started pooling because of her movement.

"D-don't move, ma'am. the damage is widening. I'll go get a doctor. Please don't move."

I stood up but she took my hand. I couldn't risk taking it from her grip as it may cause a strain in her body.

"Ma'am! I told you not to move!"

"I'm a lost cause. I trust you with the children."

She finally lets go of my arm and I hurriedly tapped the alarm intended for Dr. Felix's attending doctor. 

Thrice of it signals an emergency.

"They'd be here in five minutes. Just-"

I saw Dr. Felix sliced to a perfect half. I've handled a lot of patients but I've never been in a crime scene. I'm starting to get dizzy.

I saw Mrs. Cambridge mouthing something but my hearing has been ringing.

The moment it went back, the first thing I heard is,

"Nurse Anne, run!"

Merde, there are children in this house.