Chapter 4

Camille froze, her eyes locked on Julian in disbelief. "Me? Go after Kimberly?"

He'd come all this way for Kimberly?

"She's your supervisor. No matter what's happened, you don't humiliate her in front of everyone."

Julian was all business with her—cold, distant, completely without affection.

Camille swallowed the sting rising in her chest and let out a sharp laugh. "You haven't forgotten, have you? I'm the surgeon here. Isn't that my right?"

Julian's smile curved with a mocking edge. "And have you forgotten that I have the right to replace the surgeon?"

Her heart lurched violently, as if a hammer had smashed into it.

Unlucky for him, she'd already put in a transfer request. Whether he replaced her or not was no longer her concern.

"Never—"

She cut him off. "Mr. Hatcher, if you want to replace me, then go ahead and do it."

Julian's smile froze. He stared at her, his gaze darkening inch by inch.

She'd always called him "Mr. Hatcher" in front of others. Behind closed doors, though, she never used that formal title or kept any distance between them.

"What did you just call me?"

"Mr. Hatcher," Camille said, perfectly calm. "Isn't that what you wanted me to call you?"

Julian's brows drew together.

Just as he was about to speak, a nurse came rushing over. "Dr. Stowell! A patient's family member is causing a scene with Dr. Walsh. I don't know what happened!"

Camille barely had time to react before Julian darted off, vanishing from sight. She snorted, struck by the absurdity of seeing him so tense over Kimberly. He'd never shown this kind of nervousness for her.

Meanwhile, outside the hospital room, Dianne Guillen, Michael's mother, was in a heated argument with Kimberly, though the reason remained a mystery to everyone around.

When Camille rushed over, Kimberly's screams cut through the air. She pushed her way through the crowd and found Julian holding Kimberly protectively.

He'd blocked Dianne's hand before it could strike Kimberly, while Kimberly pressed herself into his chest, her face a mask of terrified helplessness.

Dianne faltered, shrinking back under Julian's commanding presence. "W-who are you?"

Julian shoved Dianne back. "Can't we handle this like adults instead of throwing punches?"

Dianne jabbed a finger at Kimberly. "Why don't you ask her what she did? My son just came out of surgery, barely making it through.

"And she, a doctor, has the nerve to act like his wounds are disgusting while making her rounds? If she can't handle this, maybe she shouldn't be a doctor at all!"

"It's not what you think…" Kimberly shook her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she met Julian's gaze. "I ate something bad this morning. That's why I feel nauseous. It has nothing to do with the patient."

Julian let out a low hum. "I've got this."

He turned to Dianne. "She was feeling unwell. It wasn't intentional. Look, how about this? I'll cover your son's hospital bills."

Dianne, simmering with anger, suddenly realized there was no room to press the issue. She let it slide.

"Unbelievable!" she spat as she stepped back into the hospital room.

Kimberly's eyes were full of worry. "I'm sorry, Julian. I caused you so much trouble. You didn't have to step in. What if you'd gotten hurt?"

Julian gave a faint smile. "As long as you're okay, that's all that matters."

"Dr. Walsh… Mr. Hatcher is your boyfriend, isn't he?"

Kimberly lowered her eyes, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "No. Don't go making things up..."

"Come on, you can't deny it. You and Mr. Hatcher are perfect together!"

The others laughed and cheered, egging them on.

Julian's gaze swept across the crowd.

When Camille's eyes found his, her chest constricted as if a vice had clenched around her heart. A sharp wave of bitterness surged through her.

Her husband looked so right with another woman.

She didn't belong there.