All Chapters of BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

As Celeste returned to their table, Pauline’s eyes immediately locked onto her with eager curiosity. “What did he say to you?” she asked, her tone light but charged with anticipation. Celeste felt a flicker of unease but kept her expression steady. She carefully set down her bag and the few things she had been carrying onto the table, then pulled out the chair she had left earlier and sat down. Her brows knitted together in a subtle frown as she raised an eyebrow and replied with innocent feigned ignorance, “Who are you talking about?” hoping to dodge the question with a hint of playfulness.But Pauline was far too experienced with Celeste’s evasions to be fooled so easily. She rolled her eyes dramatically, the gesture showing both amusement and mild exasperation. With a teasing grin, she gave Celeste a knowing smile that said she was onto her. “Oh, come on,” Pauline said with a casual shrug, clearly enjoying this little game of cat and mouse. “Don’t pretend you don’t know who I’m tal

“Ah, and when you ask questions, you sound like an investigator,” Celeste replied, still trying to hold back a grin. But instead of dodging the question entirely, she paused for a second, thoughtful. “Why are you so obsessed with my love life anyway?” she said lightly, hoping the change in tone would make Pauline drop the topic. But judging from the mischievous twinkle in her friend’s eyes, she knew she wasn’t off the hook yet. Pauline had found something intriguing, and Celeste could already tell this wasn’t going to be the last time she’d have to explain—or deny—her feelings about a certain charming professor.Celeste heard Pauline sigh dramatically, the kind of theatrical sigh meant to make a point. Then, with exaggerated flair, Pauline closed the book in front of her and turned fully to face her. The shift in her posture alone signaled that she wasn’t letting this go anytime soon. “Just answer my question,” she insisted, eyebrows raised with mock impatience. “Because earlier—don’t

“I haven’t heard anything about her either, hija. Your grandfather also forbade me from speaking with anyone close to Marcus or to you,” Eva replied softly. Her tone carried the same restraint Celeste had grown used to from everyone around her—measured, cautious, as if even their words could shatter something fragile. But there was something else beneath her words, something Celeste couldn’t ignore: regret. Eva, who had been more than just a housekeeper—more like a second mother—sounded like she, too, had been bound by this unspoken oath of silence. And though she never disobeyed, Celeste could hear it in her voice: she wished things had been different.“It’s been so long,” Celeste said. “Ten years now. Maybe even just a casual—” But she couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence. Because she knew it was just a dream. A lofty dream that felt too far out of reach. That was why, even though she herself had just admitted it had already been ten years, she still couldn’t see any cert

“Yes, Sir Marcus?” Celeste responded, glancing at Pauline—who, upon hearing the voice on the line, had clapped a hand over her mouth and was now giggling softly, obviously thrilled.“I got your number from the index card,” Marcus explained.He didn’t need to say that—she hadn’t even asked. But it was as if Marcus had read her mind, because that was exactly what she’d been wondering ever since he introduced himself on the call. The index card he was referring to was the one they submitted during the second day of class, which included a one-by-one ID photo, personal details, and their phone number.“Alright, Sir,” she replied simply.“I called because I saw your index card was blank. You know what I mean, don’t you?”There was no trace of anger or even mild irritation in Marcus’s tone. Still, for some reason, Celeste suddenly felt her throat go dry. She instinctively swallowed, her chest tightening all at once. She was nervous—and she didn’t quite know why.“Hello? Miss Montemayor?” Ma

For a moment, silence seemed to pass between the two of them. Celeste had nothing to say, while Marcus appeared momentarily preoccupied with something on his laptop.“Okay,” Marcus finally said, breaking the short but deafening silence. “As I have said, I want to give you a chance,” he continued, locking his gaze directly onto her eyes.Celeste didn’t respond. But in her mind, a side comment formed—the way he said that, it’s like I owe him something big. And she couldn’t exactly deny that there was truth in that.“I want you to prepare a presentation. I think you can manage it by the day after tomorrow,” Marcus said, his tone surprisingly considerate. And even if she had a history of annoyance toward him, she had to admit—she appreciated this gesture. Something that, if Pauline ever found out, would surely lead to endless teasing from her best friend.“What topic, Sir Marcus?” she asked in return.Even though Celeste was looking straight into Marcus’s deep, dark eyes, she still wasn’t