CHAPTER 4

Camilla's POV.

"Make sure he gets 10 milligrams of morphine every four hours for the pain," I sat behind my desk with my hands trembling slightly as I instructed one of the nurses on the dosage of the medication Lawrence would need when he woke up.

I was able to put myself together and perform surgery to save his life. I didn't know how I managed to pull it off but I did, my doctor instinct winning against my emotions.

"And don't forget to check his vitals regularly."

The nurse nodded, scribbling down my instructions on a small notepad.

"Got it, Dr. Camilla. Anything else I should know?"

I shook my head, rubbing my temples to ward off the headache threatening to consume me.

"That should be all for now. Just keep an eye on him and let me know if there are any changes."

The nurse nodded before hurrying off to carry out my orders. As I watched her go, my mind raced with a thousand thoughts, thoughts that ended with decisions causing me to remember I was supposed to submit a resignation letter before leaving the hospital that day.

With a weary sigh, I turned on my desktop and started typing in my resignation letter.

The weight of the decision hung heavy on my heart, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I couldn't stay here, not with Lawrence as the new director of the clinic. His presence will always bring a constant reminder of everything that has happened.

I promised Raymond, that I would join him abroad immediately Lawrence tried to make any attempt to come back into my life. He knew about what happened between me and Lawrence so it was best I kept to my promise.

I made my way to Andrew’s office when I was done. When he saw me enter, he quickly offered me a seat.

"Camilla, you did a really good job once again. You saved Director Lawrence's life; you know?"

I nodded with a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips despite the heaviness in my heart.

"I did what anyone would have done," I said even though I couldn't deny the swell of pride at Andrew's praise.

"You're a hero, Camilla," he said sincerely. "We're lucky to have you on our team."

But his praise only served to reinforce my decision and I didn't waste a second to hand him the resignation letter.

I could feel my hands trembling slightly with nerves. "I'm quitting as I had mentioned earlier on the phone, Andrew," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Camilla, do you really mean what you said?" he asked.

"You're our best doctor, our head of pediatrics. We need you here, especially now with Director Lawrence recovering. You should be in charge of him."

I wanted to tell him that it was because of Lawrence that I was quitting but I couldn't. I simply shook my head stubbornly.

"I'm really sorry, I have made up my mind," I said.

"Camilla, please. We can increase your pay if you want. You are already my deputy here, if not I would have offered you more promotion. Please don't quit now we need you. The director needs the best doctor which is you," he remained adamant with accepting my resignation.

"I wish it is something I can actually reconsider but I can't. I have my personal reasons," I protested, refusing to change my mind.

Seeing I wasn't ready to change my mind, Andrew’s countenance changed and he brought out a document.

"I didn't want to do this but you leave me with no choice, Dr Camilla," he said and pushed the document to me.

I checked it and found out it was the agreement I signed with the hospital when I got the job. I was to work with them on a contract for ten years, and anything that made me ask to resign before the ten years expired, I would pay a huge fine- Ten million dollars.

My heart stopped when I remembered the agreement. Instantly, I knew that my plan of running away was now abortive because it wouldn't work anymore with such a huge penalty involved.

Andrew sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Dr Camilla, I never wanted to do this but I couldn't bear you abandoning us now we need you."

"Also think about the hospital, about the patients who rely on you. You can't just abandon them like this."

“Please Andrew, you can't do this to me now. I really need to move,” I responded pleading but he refused to listen.

“I am sorry but I can't grant you your request when we really need you. We can't watch another hospital snatch you away. So you have to make a choice. To stay back or pay the penalty if you want to go against the contract you signed,” he said, and I sighed, giving up because it was already a done deal.

I didn't have such huge money to pay for the penalty and Raymond had done enough for me already to get him involved so I had to change my mind.

"Okay, I think I will have to follow my agreement with the hospital," I announced and I saw a sigh of relief wash down Dr Andrew's face.

"I'm sorry Dr Camilla things went this way," he apologized.

I couldn't say anything in reply. With that, I turned and left the office.

Getting to the hallway, I found myself face to face with a group of familiar patients waiting for the normal monthly check-up.

Their hopeful eyes met mine, filled with trust and gratitude, and suddenly, something inside me shifted. I hadn't thought about how leaving them so suddenly would have left them feeling. I had been too selfish to have only thought about protecting my family.

"Dr. Camilla!" one of them exclaimed, a bright smile lighting up her face.

"Thank you for everything you've done for us. You're the best doctor we've ever had!"

I felt a lump form in my throat as their words washed over me, a surge of emotion welling up within me.

Despite how I wanted to get away from being entangled with Lawrence again that moment, these patients reminded me of why I had become a doctor in the first place – to help others, to make a difference in their lives.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I looked at each of them, their gratitude filling me with a sense of purpose I hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe Dr Andrew was right.

Maybe I couldn't just abandon them like this.

Then I made a drastic decision.

Since I have changed my mind to stay, I had to do something else, which is keeping my children hidden. Thankfully none of the hospital staff know I have children. I never mentioned them because I had always wanted them to be a secret.

After closing from work that day, I returned home early to pack a few items for George and Mira.

I drove them straight to my younger sister's place in another town, telling them they needed to stay with her because I was going to be away for a while for a business trip.

I made sure I entrusted them in her care with the hope that Lawrence wouldn't ever know about their whereabouts.