RAGING FLAME

I felt an overwhelming exhaustion despite being hugging my pillow in my beloved bed, the luxurious satin bedcover cool against my skin, its matching pillow offering comfort. The moonlight streamed through the window, casting a dim glow across the room, gentle enough to keep my sleep undisturbed. But as I slowly opened my eyes, I became aware of a presence that shattered the stillness—a distinct thud of shoes approaching. Even in my drowsy intoxicated state, I turned my head, my vision hazy, to see a robust figure moving through the shadows. His features were striking, though the dim light and my sleepy eyes made it hard to make out the details. He moved with a casual confidence, unbuttoning his shirt, the fabric sliding off his broad shoulders, then removing his coat and shoes as if he belonged here, as if this were his nightly ritual. I rubbed my eyes, trying to focus, but my body was sluggish, my mind heavy. He leaned over me, his one knee pressing into the bed, his hand reachin

**Amira pov** After attending to a few patients in my OPD, despite my headache and a few lingering concerns on my mind, I made my way to the office where I received a pager from a hospital administrator . On my way,I sent a message on my phone instructing my colleagues to take a break after completing their tasks and to contact me in case of any emergencies within our workforce group, which includes residents Ethan, Sofia, and Eva. Upon entering the office room and noticing the name "dr.Mia Bennett" on the board, I anticipated the purpose of my visit. "Please don’t discussing that. Just t leave me alone," I stated before taking a seat in front of Mia, my closest friend. Mia's immediate response was, "How can you possibly forget everything? What is holding you back?" Without meeting Mia's gaze, I focused on playing with my ring, prompting Mia to notice and inquire, "Is it that ring that's holding you back?" Uncertain, I replied, "I'm not sure." Mia advised, "Amira, you need to

**Amira pov**The next morning, I walked into the hospital with a single mission: avoid Ryan at all costs. I threw myself into my work, taking on as many patients as possible, anything to keep myself busy. I even avoid having lunch with my friends by eating late by engaging myself in work. But every time I walked past the surgical wing, my heart would skip a beat, wondering if Ryan was nearby."Amira, you okay?" Eva asked as we took a quick coffee break together. She was one of my closest friends, someone I could always count on for support."Yeah, just tired," I lied, giving her a forced smile.Yet she managed to read my mind again”Well, you can’t avoid him forever. You need to talk to him, Amira. Ryan’s a good guy. He doesn’t deserve to be left hanging like this," she advised, her tone gentle but firm. Eva reached across the table, squeezing my hand. "Amira, you have to let yourself move on. You deserve to be happy."I nodded, but her words didn’t make it any easier. How could I m

**Amira pov**Every morning not exactly every morning but most of the morning,I woke up with a pounding headache, the stress and guilt manifesting in physical pain. I knew it wasn’t normal, so I scheduled some tests at the hospital without the knowledge of my friends. But the results came back clear, leaving me more frustrated than ever.I consulted with my colleagues in the medicine department, but no one could give me a definitive answer. They suggested it might be stress-related, but I knew it was more than that. It was the weight of my unresolved past, the constant reminder that I hadn’t closed the door on my marriage, that I was living in a limbo of my own making.———————-With my ring out of sight, I allowed myself to fully embrace my feelings for Ryan. We started spending more time together, and our bond grew stronger with each passing day. The chemistry between us was undeniable, and it felt like a natural progression from our friendship.Ryan was always attentive, making sure

**Amira**The cafeteria is bustling with activity, the sound of clattering trays and the murmur of conversation filling the air. But despite the noise, I can’t stop thinking about Ryan, about the way his touch lingered on mine, about the way my heart seems to speed up every time he’s near.“You’re distracted,” Mia says, her eyes narrowing as she studies me.“What? No, I’m not,” I reply, a little too quickly.Eva smirks, leaning back in her chair with a knowing look. “She’s totally distracted.”“By a certain surgeon, perhaps?” Mia teases, her voice light but full of implication.I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment, and I quickly take a sip of water to hide my reaction. “You two are ridiculous.”“Ridiculously right,” Eva quips, her grin widening. “It’s so obvious, Amira.”“There’s nothing going on,” I protest, though the words feel hollow even to my own ears.“Uh-huh,” Mia says, clearly unconvinced. “That’s why you practically light up every time he walks into a room.”I open my m