Chapter 2

I went home exhausted, my phone kept ringing with calls from Ronny. I deliberately ignored them and tossed my phone onto the bed. My feet carried me to the bathroom, where my mind replayed the moment Liam handed me his handkerchief earlier. My hands moved to remove my clothes, and I stood under the shower. That man's body, his lips when he spoke, and the piercing look in his eyes clung stubbornly to my thoughts.

Oh God, there's no way an omega like me could ever have him. On the very first day in the operating room, I had already embarrassed myself. I scrubbed my body with soap, silently wishing I could graduate from medical school soon and become a great doctor like him.

I leaned against the bathroom wall.

Liam Darkmane—why does that figure keep haunting my mind even though I just lost my boyfriend?

That night my body was too tired, yet my thoughts wouldn't stop replaying images of Liam. I eventually fell asleep on my bed. A moment later, I found myself once again under the bright lights of the operating room. But this time it was different. No patient, no medical team—just Liam and me.

He walked closer, half his face hidden by a mask, but his eyes locked firmly on mine.

I stepped back, but my spine pressed against the operating table. Liam came closer still, until only an inch separated us. His large hand rose, not to grab an instrument, but to touch my cheek.

I wanted to resist, but my body froze. As he leaned down, I could feel his breath on my skin. His lips were only a few centimeters away from mine, and I didn't turn away.

Finally, his lips met mine. The kiss was full of hunger, making my knees weak. His hand gripped my waist and pulled me closer.

I let out a soft moan, caught between fear and surrender. My mind screamed that this was wrong, that I was just an ordinary omega unworthy of him, but my heart refused to resist.

Suddenly, I woke up, breathing heavily. It took me several seconds to realize it had only been a dream.

"Oh God, what's happening to me?" I muttered, covering my face with both hands.

***

The next morning.

I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. My face looked ordinary, but my heart did not. Last night's dream still lingered so vividly—his gaze, his whisper, his kiss that had felt too real. I had even woken up with my heart pounding, and now I had to face him again.

I gripped the straps of my mask tightly, trying to calm myself down.

But the moment I entered the operating room, I immediately saw him standing in the same position as in my dream. The instruments were ready, the medical team waiting for his instructions.

"Cole, are you ready?"

I quickly nodded. "Yes, Doctor."

He glanced at me briefly before refocusing on the patient on the table.

"Retractor," he ordered.

I moved quickly this time, determined not to repeat yesterday's mistake, but my hand trembled slightly as I passed it to him. Whether from nerves or the memory of his hand gripping my waist in my dream, I wasn't sure.

"Focus, Cole," he said again, though his tone wasn't as sharp as yesterday. It sounded more like a gentle reminder.

"Yes, Doctor."

Throughout the surgery, I fought hard to keep my thoughts under control. But every time his voice rang out, my heart pounded harder.

Perhaps to him, I was nothing more than an intern who needed discipline, but to me, Liam Darkmane had already become someone far too difficult to ignore. Especially after last night's dream.

The operation ended successfully. The patient was wheeled out by the nurses to the recovery room. I pulled off my gloves, tossed them into the medical waste bin, and stood a little away from the table.

I adjusted my mask, trying to make a quick escape from the room, but before I could take a step, that deep voice called me again.

"Cole."

I froze, slowly turning. Liam was still near the operating table, peeling off his gloves. He didn't look tired at all, even though he had just led a long surgery.

I lowered my head. "Yes, Doctor?"

He walked closer, until we were less than a meter apart.

"You're better than yesterday, but I noticed your hands were still shaking. Why?"

My throat tightened. Should I tell him I had dreamed about him last night? Impossible! I quickly searched for another excuse.

"Just nerves, Doctor."

He studied me for a long moment, as though trying to read my mind.

"All right. Good job," he finally said.

I bit my lip beneath the mask. If only you knew where my mind had gone last night.

"Thank you, Doctor," I replied softly.

For a second, I thought he would turn and leave. But he didn't. Instead, he stepped a little closer, lowering his face until it was level with mine.

"Don't make me regret this."

My heart raced wildly. His eyes were so close I had to look down to avoid them.

Without waiting for my answer, Liam finally turned and walked out of the operating room.

I stood frozen, my body still burning despite the cold air. A small smile tugged at my lips. I would find a way to catch his attention—not just as a medical student, but perhaps also as someone who wanted to be seen by him as more than just a pupil.

Then I went to the changing room, took off my scrubs, and changed back into my medical student uniform.

As I stepped out, I caught faint whispers. A few other interns glanced at me, then quickly turned to whisper to one another with stifled grins. I ignored them, pretending to be busy adjusting my bag.

My stomach felt empty, so I decided to head to the hospital cafeteria. It was crowded with doctors, nurses, and fellow interns. I chose a seat in the corner with a tray of bread and warm tea, when my friend Agatha suddenly pulled out the chair across from me.

"Sienna, I saw earlier—after the surgery, Dr. Liam called you over first, didn't he?"

I nearly choked. "H-huh? That was nothing. He just scolded me."

"I saw him standing really close to you."

I quickly lowered my gaze, stirring my tea as if deeply focused on it. "You must've seen wrong."

"Everyone knows Dr. Liam is cold. He hardly ever talks personally to interns. For him to call you aside like that—it's strange."

I bit my lip, fighting the storm in my chest.

If only you knew, I even dreamed of him last night.

All I could say was, "I just got extra attention because of my mistake yesterday."

Agatha gave me a suspicious look, then chuckled. "I don't know... but if it's true he's paying attention to you, you'd better be careful. Dr. Liam isn't just anyone. He's an alpha, and you're only an omega. Your worlds are different."

I could only smile bitterly.

"Just an omega, huh?"