All Chapters of OFFSIDE HEARTS: His Dr. Anchor : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

MayaChloe finally speaks. Her voice remains perfectly composed. "I have no intention of making you uncomfortable, Ethan. I think we've both moved on." The words are gentle. Too gentle; something about them feels rehearsed. "I certainly hope we can spend one evening behaving like adults."Ethan doesn't answer. He simply holds Chloe's gaze, and something in his expression closes off completely.After what he told me last night, I understand the silence differently. Chloe seems to understand that too. Her pleasant smile remains perfectly in place.Alistair closes the portfolio and gathers the remaining documents. "I've heard your objection, Ethan. I'll raise it with the events team, but until you're told otherwise, assume the current arrangements stand."Ethan's jaw tightens, but he doesn't argue."Marcus will receive the final programme once everything is confirmed," Alistair continues. "That covers what I needed to discuss."He looks toward Chloe. "We should go."Chloe reaches for her

Maya By six o’clock on Friday evening, preparations for the gala have taken over the penthouse. Stylists move in and out carrying garment bags while security officers speak quietly into their phones, and Marcus strides from room to room with a clipboard in one hand and his phone in the other, somehow keeping the chaos organized without raising his voice."This is your final briefing," he announces as Ethan and I step into the living room.He points at me first."You'll exit the car before Ethan. Smile, but don't stop walking unless I signal. No comments about transfer rumours, no comments about Chloe Vance, and absolutely no comments about Julian." He turns toward Ethan. "You already know the rules.""I know.""Do you?" Ethan answers him with a look. Marcus sighs dramatically. "I'll take that as a 'probably not.”A stylist appears beside me carrying my navy-blue gown. "Doctor Bennett?" I disappear into the guest room to change. Ten minutes later, I stare at my reflection in the mirro

Ethan I know something is wrong before Maya says a single word.She steps out of the ballroom with her phone pressed to her ear, her shoulders stiff as she disappears beyond the open doors. Even from where I’m sitting, I can see the way her fingers tighten around her clutch.Whatever she’s hearing, it’s bad.I push my chair back.Before I can reach her, Alistair’s voice rolls across the ballroom through the microphone.“Ladies and gentlemen, before tonight’s charity auction begins, I’d like to recognize the man whose support made this event possible.”A spotlight swings across the room and lands squarely on me. Applause erupts. I barely hear it. My eyes remain fixed on the doorway Maya has just disappeared through.Marcus appears at my side before I can take another step. “Sit down,” he murmurs. “Every camera in this room is on you.”“Something’s happened.” I start toward the doors.Marcus moves with me. “I think so too."“I’m going to check on her.” Frustration coils inside my chest

Maya “The verification has been restored, Doctor.” For a moment, I can only grip the phone. The words echo in my ears as if I’m afraid they’ll disappear the second I let myself believe them.I end the call and sink back into the chair, closing my eyes for just a second. Every muscle in my body feels heavy, drained by hours of fear and frantic phone calls. Leo is going into surgery tomorrow. After the last hour, that is the only fact I need to hold on to.The business centre door opens behind me. “Well?” Marcus doesn’t have to ask what happened. I look up at him, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face.“We did it.” Relief softens his features. “I knew you would.” He steps aside and holds the door open for me.“Come on. Let’s tell Ethan before he drives himself insane.”A quiet laugh escapes me. “He probably thinks the surgery’s already been cancelled.” Marcus smiles as we walk into the corridor. “He always assumes the worst when it comes to people he cares about.”The words

Ethan Maya does not come out of her room for the rest of the day, and by evening I have become painfully aware of every sound from the guest wing.The plate of food I left outside her door has gone completely cold, so I pick up the tray without knocking again. The first time I tried, she had asked for space. The second time, she had answered my knock with an absolute, unyielding silence.A third attempt would only be about making myself feel better, and Maya has already asked me for space.The velvet box sits directly in the center of the kitchen island; I can’t stop looking at it. At one point, the sight becomes too loud, and I shove the box deep into a drawer, determined to clear it from my line of sight. Ten minutes later, I take it back out. Hiding the velvet doesn't change the tactical layout of what happened yesterday. It only makes the rest of the apartment feel emptier.By midnight, I’m still awake. I lie on my back staring at the ceiling, but every time I close my eyes, the