Chapter 2

I shook my head firmly, crossing my arms over my chest. “No. Absolutely not,” I said, my voice steady, though my heart fluttered.

Dr. Collins looked at me seriously. “Dr. Ford, I understand your hesitation, but listen. Alpha Jaron’s condition is serious. None of the physical therapists who attempted to help him stayed. They walked away because of his attitude. You are the one who can handle him. You are strong and capable. You understand the demands of working with an Alpha.”

I blinked, surprised. Deep inside, I thought, Did they really see me as the better option?

Marga, standing nearby, said softly, ‘Dr. Collins, I think Dr. Ford doesn’t want to be involved with an Alpha again after what happened with her marriage to Alpha Ethan.

I bit my lip. Why would I want to face another powerful, demanding Alpha?

Dr. Collins’s gaze was firm. “Dr. Ford, personal issues and work must be separate. You left this position before because of your history with Alpha Ethan. Now i'm giving you a chance to rebuild and prove yourself. Work is work. Nothing personal. You have the skill and discipline to succeed. Don’t let fear stop you.”

I took a deep breath. Work is work. Nothing personal. I repeated it to myself. I remembered leaving my career behind for Alpha Ethan and the regret that followed. Now I could reclaim it, prove to everyone and to myself that I was capable.

Slowly, I met his eyes. “Alright. I’ll do it. I’ll treat Alpha Jaron.”

Dr. Collins’s face softened. “Thank you, Dr. Ford. I know it’s not easy, but I trust you. You’ll handle this well.”

I nodded. “I’ll do it professionally. Nothing personal. Just treatment.”

Dr. Collins handed me the medical clearance. “Here’s everything you need. Once signed, you can access the VIP Alpha exclusive room.”

I signed quickly, feeling the weight of responsibility. “Thank you, Dr. Collins. I’ll ensure Alpha Jaron gets the best care.”

“You’re welcome, Dr. Ford. Trust your skills. That’s all that matters,” he said and walked away.

I turned to Marga, holding the clearance. “Do you want to come with me?"

Marga’s eyes sparkled. “Yes, I want to see him too.”

I gave a faint smile. “Alright, but stay calm. We are here for work, not sightseeing.”

She nodded eagerly. “Ofcourse, I’ll behave. I just can’t believe we’re meeting Alpha Jaron.”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. Professionalism. Focus. Strength. Nothing personal.

We walked toward the VIP floor. Each step felt purposeful, the air charged with anticipation. I adjusted my lab coat and squared my shoulders.

The hallway outside his room was quiet, almost serene compared to the ER below. Soft lighting, polished floors, faint antiseptic scent. The door to his suite stood ahead, imposing.

I stopped and whispered to Marga, “Here we go.”

She nodded. “You’ve got this, Lia.”

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The room was warm and quiet compared to the busy hospital below.

And there he was, Alpha Jaron, lying in bed. His left arm was in a bandage and both feet were wrapped neatly. Even though he was injured, he looked impossible to ignore. His face was strong, slightly square with a defined chin.

His light-colored eyes, probably blue or blue-green, were calm and piercing. Thick eyebrows framed his gaze perfectly, and his light brown hair fell casually, slightly messy. His lips were medium full with a natural curve. He was handsome, no question, but I reminded myself that this was only a patient.

Marga gasped beside me, and I heard the quiet hiss of admiration escape her lips. “Wow… he’s…”

I cut her off with a shake of my head, keeping my voice calm. “Marga, focus. Handsome face, yes. But remember, he’s an Alpha.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. I just can’t help but be amazed. He has a perfect face, and that’s all,” Marga said.

“It’s important to know our limits,” I replied.

Marga asked, “I know. Anyway, how many months do you think it will take to treat him?”

I shrugged. “It depends on how fast he recovers, but my goal is one month.”

“You’ll be treating him for a whole month?” she asked.

“Yes. It’s part of the job until he gets better,” I said firmly.

She leaned closer and said softly, “Hmm...I hope you won’t fall in love with him.”

I laughed. “Never. How could I, after my ex-husband’s betrayal? My goal is to prove myself as a doctor, not to fall for a man and suffer again.”

Suddenly, my phone rang, piercing the quiet hum of the hallway outside the VIP floor. I glanced at the screen and saw my mother’s name flashing.

“Hold on a second, Marga,” I said, glancing at my phone buzzing in my hand. “I need to take this.”

Marga’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Who is it?”

“My mom,” I replied, already moving toward the corridor. “I’ll be right back.”

I swiped to answer the call. “Hello, Mom.”

“Lia! I just saw the news!” Her voice trembled with fury. “Alpha Ethan… he publicly announced their newborn daughter, and he’s engaged to Camille Raine!”

I took a deep breath. “It’s okay, Mom. I’m okay now. You don’t need to hold on to hard feelings. I’m… really happy for them.”

There was a pause. “But..”

“Mom, please...”

Before she could respond, a loud shout echoed down the hallway. My brow furrowed.

“Mom, talk later!” I said sharply, ending the call.

I pushed open the VIP room door, and froze. Alpha Jaron was shouting at Marga, his voice sharp and commanding.

“Stay away from me, b*tch!”

“Hey! Stop it!” I snapped, stepping fully inside. “You will not speak to her that way!”

He turned toward me, his brows furrowed. “And who are you to stop me?!”