Emma

I leaned against the wall of the bustling hospital corridor, my weary eyes fixed on the clock above the nurses' station. The seconds ticked by slowly, each one carrying the weight of countless sleepless nights and endless hours of dedication. My white coat, clung to my tired frame.

Beside me, Dr. Michael Reynolds, another junior doctor, leaned against the wall tied and the anticipation etched across his face. We had shared the trenches of medical training.

I turned to Michael. "Can you believe it, Michael? This is our final night as juniors. We've made it through the long hours, and the steep learning curve. We should be fucking celebrating right now!”

"You're right, Emma. We've come so far, and tonight marks the end of an era. It's been a wild journey, but I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Our conversation was interrupted by the distant sound of ringing phones and the hurried footsteps of medical professionals. Life buzzed around us, a symphony of urgency and dedication.

I had dreams and aspirations beyond the endless night shifts and the relentless demands of the hospital. I longed to specialize, to make a difference in a specific field of medicine. Tonight marked the turning point, the threshold between the familiar and the unknown.

As we exchanged stories of the patients we had encountered, our laughter mingled with the echoes of footsteps echoing through the hallway.

"Remember that time when Mrs. Thompson thought she had an alien growing in her stomach? We were so green back then, but we managed to keep a straight face."

Michael chuckled,"And that time when Dr. Larson caught us practicing sutures on that stuffed bunny? We thought we were so sneaky."

The clock ticked closer to the appointed hour, each passing second bringing us closer to the precipice of change.

I straightened my posture and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "Here's to the end of sleepless nights and the beginning of a new chapter. We've earned it."

Michael raised an imaginary glass, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "To the  countless lives we've touched along the way. It's been an honor to navigate this journey with you, Emma."

As our voices blended with the symphony of the hospital, our words carried the weight of dreams realized and a future yet to be discovered.

As the clock struck the hour, Michael and I exchanged a knowing look,  of exhaustion, relief, and hope. Our time as junior doctors may had come to an end, but our passion for healing and our commitment to making a difference burned brighter than ever.

With a final embrace, we stepped away from the safety of the hospital walls, our footsteps echoing with the echoes of countless doctors who had come before us. The night air whispered promises of new beginnings, a symphony of possibilities waiting to be explored.

Michael and I walked side by side, our hearts brimming with anticipation, ready to embark on the next stage of our journey—one filled with uncertainty, growth, and the unwavering belief that we had the power to change lives.

And as we stepped into the night, a chapter closed behind us, and what lay ahead beckoned us forward, united in our pursuit of healing and the unyielding desire to make a difference.

Just as the clock struck the hour of my release, my phone rang. My heart skipped a beat as I glanced at the screen. The name flashing across it sent waves of panic crashing through me. Olivia.

"Olivia? What's wrong?"

The line crackled with distress as Olivia's shaky voice reached my ears. "Em, it's... it's bad. I've been in a car accident. Ava's with me."

My grip tightened around the phone. The weight of my sister's words sank deep within me. "Where are you, Liv? I'm coming. Tell me where you are."

Olivia's voice trembled with pain. "I... I'm in Ridgeport. It's a four-hour drive from where you are. Please hurry."

With my heart pounding, I hastily grabbed my car keys and raced through the hospital corridors. Thoughts raced through my mind as I imagined the unimaginable, praying that my sister and niece would be safe.

The long drive to Ridgeport seemed never-ending. My foot pressed firmly on the gas pedal as I weaved through the night, navigating the lonely roads that stretched before me.

Finally arriving at Ridgeport General Hospital, I rushed through the doors, my eyes frantically searching for any sign of my sister. I found myself in a sterile waiting room, filled with anxious faces and the faint aroma of antiseptic. It was there that my eyes met my parents', etched with worry and fear.

I approached them, my voice trembling. "Mom, Dad, what happened?"

Her father's voice cracked as he spoke. "The accident was severe, Emma. They brought Olivia in, but..."

The words hung heavily in the air, leaving me numb with disbelief. Without wasting a moment, I followed the nurses to the morgue. The sterile coldness enveloped me as I stepped into the room, my breath catching in my throat.

The medical examiner gently lifted the sheet covering Olivia's lifeless body, allowing me to say my final goodbye. Tears welled in my eyes as I reached out to caress my sister's cold cheek, our once-vibrant bond now severed by tragedy.

Amidst the overwhelming grief, a nurse approached me, her voice filled with compassion. "What about Ava? Is there anyone we can contact for her?"

My heart raced, my mind grappling with a secret I had held onto for so long. I took a deep breath, my voice quivering. "Ava is... she's my daughter, not Olivia's."

The nurse's eyes widened, her expression a mix of surprise and empathy. "Oh, my dear. I'm so sorry for your loss and for the weight you carry. Let us help you through this."

Tears flowed freely now, as the realization of the truth pierced my soul. I had concealed Ava's true parentage from Olivia, fearing the consequences and the impact it would have on our relationship. Guilt surged through me as I acknowledged the weight of my actions.

In the depths of my despair, my gaze met the nurse's. "I need to be there for Ava. She needs me more than ever now."

With understanding in her eyes, the nurse nodded and guided me through the labyrinthine hallways to find my daughter.

As I held Ava tightly in my arms, I vowed to be the mother Ava deserved, to navigate the challenges that lay ahead. I had completed my medical degree, and I planned to look after Ava, like I should have done from the start. My sister had done me a favor after finding out that I was pregnant whilst trying to complete my medical degree.

Now, she was gone, and I couldn’t thank her, as I’d done a million times for bringing up my daughter and having the life that she deserved. I couldn’t do it, now that she was gone. I cried not only for robbing her for the last four years of her life, but for never being there the one time that she really needed me.