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51: Grief and distraction

Author: mooncake_o07
last update Last Updated: 2025-05-05 18:13:56

Aria had buried herself in work, using each patient, each task, as a distraction from the grief that clung to her like a shadow. The loss of her unborn child had left a hollow ache in her chest that no amount of busyness could fill. Every passing moment risked awakening memories too painful to bear. And when they came—uninvited, sharp, and cruel—they shattered her all over again.

A knock at the door stirred her from her silent struggle. She blinked away the fog in her eyes as Harold leaned into view, a gentle, concerned expression on his face.

"Hey," he said softly. "How are you, Dr. Aria? I think you missed all the fun outside—cake in the lounge, some awful music playing." He offered a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Aria forced a polite smile in return, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "I’ll excuse myself, Dr. Harold," she said, her voice quieter than usual, as if she were afraid it might crack.

Harold stepped into the room, closing the door behind him with care. "You don’t ha
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