LOGINEveryone in the department knew Nora didn't gossip. The scrub nurses let the topic drop.But Nora still found out. Back in the office, Zoe told her."You two have no subtlety! I was sweating bullets trying to cover for you with Summer yesterday. And you just handed your luggage to him?"Nora winced. "I didn't know he was going to use it like that."If she'd known, she never would have agreed.Fair point. Adrian didn't need a secret marriage. Zoe shifted to a different worry. "But him walking around with your luggage — could someone recognize it?""No. I just bought those."Zoe exhaled. "Okay. Good."A pause. Then, quieter: "Actually, his approach is pretty smart. Keeps Quinn Sterling's dignity intact. Kills the rumor in one move."Nora hadn't thought of that. She was too tired to process."So." Zoe nudged her. "Suitcases are gone. When are you moving?"—Sunday.Winter ER traffic c
The two nurses nearly jumped out of their skin. "Chief—""What are you talking about?" Adrian's tone was mild. Almost smiling.The nurses exchanged a look and shook their heads so fast it was a blur. "Nothing. Nothing at all."Adrian didn't press it. He walked away.The moment he was out of earshot: "We should have taken this to the group chat.""He didn't seem mad. If things get weird, we can ask Dr. Sterling to put in a good word tomorrow—""Dr. Sterling's close with the nurses?"Leo Hart had been dragged in by a late-night call from the chief. He'd thought he'd slept through an emergency consult and a patient had died on his watch. He was already halfway to a prison cell in his head.Turned out it was just about Dr. Sterling.His blood pressure had hit 160 for nothing.He wasn't sure what Adrian was getting at. He stole a careful glance. "Pretty close, I'd say."Anyone with eyes could see Dr. Sterling's interest. Leo couldn't believe Adrian hadn't noticed.Adrian hadn't noticed.Hi
"...What fish?"The pivot was too fast. Nora's brain didn't catch up."Oh. The merit rabbit?"She turned and clicked the icon twice. The rabbit reappeared. Knock. +1 Merit."It's a widget. Not auto-launch."Something flickered across her face. She spun around. Pointed at Adrian."I just remembered. The day we admitted bed sixteen — you didn't knock the fish."Now Adrian was the one caught off guard."...That's on me?""It is." Nora looked genuinely displeased. "The endpoint of medicine is superstition. How else do you explain that monthly triple-department consult arriving out of nowhere?"Adrian laughed. Had no comeback.The last person who'd pinned him like this was Vivian.Long shifts, chronic exhaustion. Derek's voice in his head — take care of your wife.Adrian looked at Nora. Held out his hands. "Email me the file. I'll knock."Husbandly duty.Nora tested the waters. "You're on call tonight. Want to knock now?"She pushed the laptop toward him.Adrian paused. Relented.Long fing
Elective surgeries. When a procedure was going smoothly, surgeons talked. Gossip. Jokes. Kept the mood up and the hands steady.Deputy Director Wang had the table today. Nora was first assist.The second assist started it. "Saw Dr. Sterling by the scrub sinks again. She's been in our department every day for two weeks. Hasn't missed one, has she?"Wesley shook his head. "She missed the day Dr. Cross was at the branch."The perfusionist, who worked with Adrian constantly, chimed in. "Our center finally gets a young hotshot, and before we can even recruit internally, another department's circling. I veto this.""Wang, you're vetoing something?" The deputy director was amused. "We have two female doctors. Is Zoe Harper going to compete with the dean's niece?"Quinn Sterling was the dean's niece?Nora hadn't known.The perfusionist shot back. "If Zoe's out, we still have Nora.""Leave Dr. Vaughn's student alone," Deputy Director Wang said, protective.The surgeon caught himself. "Nora, I
Black Monday earned its name.Dr. Vaughn's clinic day. The department chair only saw patients one day a week — maybe a dozen slots. Every single case was a puzzle other hospitals couldn't solve. Every single one got admitted.With scheduled consults on top, Nora didn't sit down all day. Eating bread required an appointment.Zoe patted her shoulder. "Chief. Think of it as the universe's final test before your term ends."Nora handed her a container of peach gum — Vivian's morning delivery. "I accept the universe's test. I just want zero emergency consults before end of shift."Zero emergencies. Impossible.She'd barely finished the peach gum."Dr. Ward. Multidisciplinary consult. Fourth floor. Thirty minutes.""Cardiac Surgery again?" Zoe caught the voice on the phone.Nora nodded. "Neurosurgery too this time."Dr. Zhao was at a conference out of town. Adrian was carrying the whole department.Thirty minutes of waiting — enough for him to get back from the branch hospital.In the consu
"Nora."Warren's voice was low. "I know you don't want to see me. But there are things I need to say in person.""I didn't come to your room that night with any intention."Nora looked up.She hadn't meant to meet his eyes. But she did.Black wool coat. Rimless glasses. The look behind them was fiercely restrained.He gave a faint, bitter smile. "Do you remember the first time we met? The year you got into med school. You walked in behind Phoebe. White dress.""A house full of strangers. You weren't intimidated at all. Phoebe said 'call him brother' and you just did. I thought you were adorable.""Before you, I thought all girls were like Wendy — noisy. Selfish.""You were different. Quiet. Always reading. You knew Wendy was trying to provoke you and you never cared. Just stayed in your world, buried in those medical textbooks.""For years I really wished you were my blood sister."He let out a low laugh. Then his gaze found her."Believe it or not. Back then — I really did see you as







