I returned to the hospital after lunch and went straight to the operating preparation room. The nurses were already arranging the sterile instruments, and in the middle of the room stood Dr. Helena Blackwood. Even with half her face covered by a mask, her eyes shone with confidence.“Cole,” she said smoothly, “you’ll be with me today. Prepare yourself. It’s an appendectomy with mild complications. Not as complex as Liam’s cases, but enough to train your precision.”I nodded quickly. “Yes, Doctor.”We stepped into the operating theater. The patient was already under anesthesia, monitors beeping steadily, the anesthesiology team in position. I stood awkwardly at one side of the table while Dr. Helena took her place, slipping on her sterile gloves with practiced ease.“Retractor,” she ordered.The nurse passed it to her, and the surgery began. The atmosphere was calm, broken only by the rhythm of the monitors and Helena’s occasional instructions.“Look closely at this incision. Surgery i
Lunch break arrived. I stepped out of the hospital building, trying to calm my restless thoughts. I decided to cross the street to a small convenience store.I sat on a long bench under the shade of a tree, unwrapped my food, but for some reason my appetite was gone. Dr. Adrian’s words still echoed in my mind. Before I could touch my spoon, my phone vibrated. The name on the screen made my chest tighten. Mother.My fingers trembled as I pressed the green button. “Hello, Mom?”“Sienna? Finally, you answered. I’ve been trying to call you.”I wiped the corner of my eye. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’ve been busy at the hospital.”“Where are you living now? I went to your old place and it was empty. The neighbors said you moved weeks ago. Why didn’t you tell me?”“I did move, but I can’t explain it over the phone.”Her voice grew more anxious. “Why not? What’s going on? Don’t hide things from me. You know I only want you to be safe.”“I am safe, Mom. Please believe me. I’m just living closer to the
I closed Dr. Adrian’s office door with trembling hands. My breath caught in my throat, my chest tight. My legs felt heavy, but somehow I managed to drag myself toward the hospital’s emergency stairwell.There, I sank onto the lowest step. The tears I had been holding back finally broke free.Why does everything have to be this way?I only wanted to become a doctor. That was all. I had worked so hard, studying day and night, sacrificing sleep, enduring the jeers of my classmates. Yet every door still seemed to slam shut simply because I was different.And now Liam.I scrubbed my face with my hands, frustration burning in my chest. He always barged in with his own way: forceful, commanding, uncompromising. I knew he meant to protect me, but sometimes it frightened me. What if his way only pushed me further into isolation?The sudden creak of the stairwell door made me jump.I turned. It was Liam.Quickly, I wiped at my tears. “You’re finished already?”He descended two steps and stopped
I had just stepped into the clerkship room, clutching a folder of weekly reports, when one of my classmates shoved a bill into my hand.“Sienna, buy me coffee from the café downstairs. Hurry!” she said, eyes glued to her laptop screen as if I were her personal assistant.I stared at the money, then placed it back on her desk.“Get it yourself. I’m not your servant.”She snapped her head toward me, her eyes narrowing. “You dare refuse?”“I have work to do. We’re all equals here. Don’t treat me any differently,” I replied firmly.Clara’s lips curved into a sly smirk as she lifted her phone. On the screen, I saw a photo—me and Ronny kissing on campus months ago.“Delete that!” I shouted in panic, reaching for her phone.But Clara was quicker. She shoved my shoulder, making me stumble back.“How dare you touch me, Cole? Don’t forget, without Ronny, you’re nothing.”“What do you mean?” I demanded.“Ronny told us all. You’re finished. So now you’re free game. Anyone can treat you however th
The car stopped in front of the apartment. The ride home had felt endlessly long, even though it was only a few minutes. I did not dare say anything, and Liam remained silent as well, but his cold aura made my body stiff.As soon as the apartment door closed behind us, he walked ahead and placed the keys on the table. I still stood at the doorway, clutching my bag tightly."Cole."That voice startled me. I looked at him, my heart pounding fast."Why did you let Ethan hold your hand?""I did not let him! He was helping me when Ronny dragged me! I could not refuse!"He stepped forward quickly, his towering frame right in front of me."You should know what that means in the eyes of others. Everyone could see it, and they will think the Luna of the Darkmane Alpha can be touched so easily. Do you realize how dangerous that is?""What was I supposed to do?! I could not fight Ronny alone! You were not there!" I cried."Even if I am not there, you must protect yourself as if I am. That is you
Sundays were usually peaceful, but not for me.Early in the morning, I was already dressed in a thin white coat, my hair neatly tied, and my bag filled with notebooks and weekly reports slung over my shoulder. As I stepped out of my room, I found Liam already standing in the living room.He wore a plain black T-shirt and casual trousers, his face fresh despite the clear lack of sleep.“You’re up this early on a day off?” I asked.“I don’t like lazing around. And I’ll pick you up later when you’re done.”“I can go home on my own,” I replied.He shook his head. “I don’t like those words. I’ll pick you up.”I could only nod quietly.Minutes later, his private driver was waiting in front of the apartment. I got into the car, giving Liam a small wave from the balcony. His face was serious, as if emphasizing that his words weren’t just a promise.At the hospital, the atmosphere was quieter than usual. The wide corridors looked empty, only a few nurses and doctors on duty walking around. Man