Timmy was taken aback.

Leonel overdid it with the booze last night, Landing him with a case of acute gastritis. Anika showed up to nurse him back to health.

Despite wanting to push her away, he remembered his words to Alexis.

Whether out of spite or needing company, he didn't turn Anika down.

Having her around didn't seem so bad to Leonel.

Sure, maybe Anika liked his wallet more than him. So what? At least she obeyed him and wouldn't stray.

He let Anika stick around, tacitly approving her as his company.

It was time to officially cut ties with Alexis.

But now, seeing the bartender from Last night, Timmy, in his doctor get-up, Leonel noted the change in demeanor. Timmy seemed all business, not playing games.

He was a doctor?

It was Timmy's first official encounter with Leonel. He introduced himself casually, “I'm Timmy Hawks, a licensed therapist. Mr. Douglas, I've heard about you. But you got it wrong last night. Ms. Fowler is just my patient."

Leonel, already sick, went paler.

He stared at Alexis in disbelief.

Patient?

What was up with Alexis?

Before Leonel could ask, Olivia, beside Alexis, spoke up. Stone-faced, Olivia laid into him. "Leonel, you're a real piece of work. Alexis has been getting treatment for autism for over two months. How dare you accuse her of fooling around with other men? And why flaunt your new girl all over to rub it in? Even if you don't give a damn about your family or kids, at least show some decency to Alexis. The Fowlers didn't take you in for you to backstab them one day, for crying out loud."

Olivia's eyes welled up, recalling their past closeness. "I'm disgusted by you."

Anika, fearing being left behind again, tried to speak up, but Olivia slapped her hard. "You've got no say here. We didn't do anything to you because Alexis wants to end things gracefully. And don't think the Fowler family's got nobody left. We can handle you just fine. Your man can't protect you at all!"

Anika trembled, eyeing Leonel for support.

But Leonel shoved her away.