Chapter 6

The moment I realized it was Ryan, my entire body went rigid.

“I’d like to request for a different assistant.”

I tried to sit, but the surgeon held me down.

“Stop making a fuss. Mr. Ludlow is the best nurse in our department. People would fight to have him assist with their surgeries, and he came here for you personally. You should consider yourself lucky.”

I tried to speak again, but the anesthesiologist had already stepped forward.

“Relax. You’ll be asleep before you know it.”

The cold liquid entered my veins, and my consciousness began to fade.

The last thing I saw before everything went dark was Ryan standing beneath the surgical lights, staring at me coldly.

I had no idea how long I had been unconscious before the pain jolted me awake.

My lower abdomen felt as if a dull blade was twisting inside it over and over. Every breath pulled at the incision.

I opened my eyes to find the hospital room empty except for Ryan, who was recording my postoperative notes.

“I don’t feel well…”

Ryan came over, took one look at me, and said calmly, “That’s normal after surgery. Just get some rest.”

He lowered his head and went back to his notes.

But the cramping pain in my lower abdomen kept getting worse. Even breathing became a struggle, and the monitor suddenly began blaring an alarm.

I struggled to raise my hand.

“Nurse…”

Ryan looked up, his brows drawing together slightly.

“Stay calm. You’re just weak after surgery. We’ll monitor you for a while.”

With that, he turned and left.

My vision blurred as my consciousness slowly slipped away.

Then, through the haze, someone burst into the room.

“Luke!”

It was Evan.

I could no longer speak. I could only grab his hand.

He looked down at the bedsheet and immediately yelled, “Doctor! Call a doctor! He’s bleeding after surgery!”

The room erupted into chaos.

“His blood pressure is dropping!”

“Stop the bleeding!”

“Prepare for a transfusion!”

The sound of hurried footsteps and the clatter of medical equipment filled my ears.

Everything went black.

When I woke up, it was already evening, and I was alone in the room.

I heard a heated argument outside the door.

“Is this what you call ‘handling it properly’?”

It was Evan’s voice. I had never heard him so furious before.

“He suffered severe bleeding after surgery! If I hadn’t discovered it in time, he would be dead right now! Is this how your hospital takes care of its patients?”

After a brief silence, Ryan’s tearful voice rang out.

“I’m sorry. I really thought it was a normal reaction. I’ve seen many patients react the same way before… I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

Evan’s voice shook with anger.

“You didn’t mean for it to happen? Is that supposed to make it okay? He almost died!”

Just then, a familiar voice cut in.

“That’s enough.”

My breath caught.

It was Audrey.

“Audrey…” Ryan sounded as if he had finally found someone on his side, his voice thick with tears. “I really didn’t mean for this to happen…”

Audrey soothed him softly, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

Evan let out a humorless laugh.

“Take care of it? How exactly do you plan to do that? He almost killed him!”

Audrey’s tone grew firm.

“Mr. Ludlow is one of the finest nurses in this hospital. He has never once made a serious mistake. He monitored the patient according to standard protocol, and there’s no evidence of his negligence. I trust his professional judgment.”

Evan’s voice cracked with disbelief.

“Audrey, do you even know who is lying in that room?”

Audrey fell silent for a moment before replying, her voice as calm as ever.

“You’re Luke’s friend, but I won’t show favoritism just because you know the patient.”

She thought Evan was standing up for someone in his own family.

Evan drew ragged breaths and was too angry to speak.

Audrey had already walked away with Ryan, standing firmly by his side. Their footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Then, I heard another round of whispers.

“Dr. Levingston is so protective of Mr. Ludlow. She had his back the entire time.”

“If I were Mr. Ludlow, I’d marry her in a heartbeat.”

“They really are perfect together. They are the best doctor and the best nurse in the hospital. I’m so envious.”

Every word felt like another nail driven into my chest.

The hospital room door opened, and Evan entered with red-rimmed eyes.

The moment he saw I was awake, he rushed over and covered my ears.

“Don’t listen. It’s all nonsense.”

I pulled his hand away and managed a faint smile.

“It’s fine.”

After coming so close to death, what else could I possibly be unable to let go of?

As soon as I finished speaking, my phone rang.

The caller ID showed Audrey’s name.

Evan’s expression darkened.

“She still has the nerve to call?”

I calmly picked up.

Audrey’s displeased voice came through the phone.

“Luke, where did you go?”