Without sparing the man another glance, Karina let out a breath of relief as the police quickly left, bringing an end to the chaotic ordeal. Just as she thought she could relax, Yvette appeared nearby, making exaggerated winks and smirks, her face practically screaming curiosity. “Do you have a twitch or something?” Karina asked, raising an eyebrow. Yvette rolled her eyes. “Twitch? Who taught you how to talk? And no, that’s not the point! Spill it—what’s going on with you and the director?” Karina blinked, confused. “What do you mean by what’s going on?” Yvette’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you serious? Just now! You two were like all hugged up together! Do you think we’re blind? We all saw it. If you say there’s nothing going on, even a ghost wouldn’t believe you!“I’m telling you, honesty is your best option. Spill the truth now, and our friendship might survive this,” Yvette teased with mock seriousness. Karina’s brain blanked out. Her face flushed bright red
Wilfred looked at Karina, but in the end, he didn’t say what was on his mind. “How much longer are you going to wrap it?” he asked. Karina snapped out of her thoughts and realized she had nearly mummified his hand in bandages. “Oh, sorry! You were talking to me earlier, and I got distracted. Let me undo some of this.” She carefully unwrapped a couple of outer layers, and the bandaging instantly looked much better. Still, Karina couldn’t help her worried expression. “How did you get hurt? Did you grab the knife directly earlier?” Adjusting the bandages to feel more comfortable, Wilfred replied casually, “No, it just grazed me.” Karina’s brows knit tightly together. She felt an urge to storm down to the police station and give the culprit a piece of her mind. At the same time, she couldn’t understand Wilfred’s calm demeanor. He acted as if being injured was no big deal, his expression unbothered, like this was just another ordinary day. She couldn’t hold back. “You
With about two hours left before the surgery, Karina focused intently on reviewing the patient’s information. She had never taken over a major surgery at the last minute before, and she didn’t want to waste a single second. Wilfred didn’t remain idle either. Leaning forward slightly, he pointed to the patient file with a steady hand. “This patient has coronary artery disease, along with several other complications causing vascular blockages. When he arrived at the hospital, he had already lost consciousness.” He continued in a calm, soothing tone, like the gentle flow of a stream. “Since the patient is over fifty, you’ll need to be particularly mindful during the procedure…” His steady voice eased Karina’s anxiety, giving her a sense of calm she desperately needed. When a knock at the door interrupted them, signaling it was time to head to the operating room, Karina felt more composed. Just as she stood, Wilfred rose with her. “I’ll go with you,” he said. “Having me ther
By now, everyone had fully recognized Wilfred’s skills. In fact, when trouble arose, he was the first person they turned to for a solution. With Wilfred around, everyone felt much more reassured.On the way to the operating room, Karina trailed behind him, her gaze fixed on his back. She clenched her fists silently. She had always thought she had made progress, but moments like this reminded her she still wasn’t good enough and still couldn’t quite match his level. She resolved to work even harder and live up to the expectations he had for her. *Karina entered the operating room and prepared to take the lead. When the assisting nurses and doctors inside saw that the surgeon had suddenly changed, they were visibly surprised. But in the sterile silence of the operating room, and with their faces hidden behind masks, no one spoke out loud. Instead, they quietly worried in their hearts. Wilfred found a seat nearby, observing silently. Karina stayed focused, pouring a
Still, as long as she could see the smiles on the faces of patients and their families, it all felt worth it. But when Karina went to the director’s office, it was empty. The quiet room seemed to carry traces of Wilfred’s presence, leaving her momentarily dazed. “Where could he have gone?” she wondered.Just then, someone passing by said, “Are you looking for Dr. Wilfred? I just saw him change clothes and leave. He might have gone home. It’s already past office hours.” Karina glanced outside at the darkening sky and nodded in realization. But something still didn’t sit right. Not to mention, Wilfred always let her know when he was leaving work. Most days, he would even drive her home. If he wanted to go back on his own today, wouldn’t he at least say something? Shaking her head, she gave her cheeks a hard slap—hard enough to make them sting. “What are you even thinking, Karina? Who are you to him, anyway? He doesn’t owe you an explanation for leaving.” Talking hersel
Mrs. Santos glanced upstairs. “Mr. Wilfred went straight to bed after coming home, but I noticed he’s having nightmares again. Honestly, I think you should—"Before she could finish, Karina rushed past her, ignoring the protest.Mrs. Santos tried to stop her, but it was no use. Karina sprinted up the stairs and pushed open the bedroom door, her heart clenching at the sight before her. Wilfred, who was usually so composed and aloof, lay on the bed, visibly distressed. His eyes were tightly shut, his face drenched in sweat, and his lips were pressed together so hard they were turning pale. Karina knelt by the bed, gently taking one of his hands in hers. It was so cold that it sent a chill through her. “Wilfred, can you hear me? It’s Karina. I’m here. Wake up,” she urged softly. But he didn’t respond. Karina took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She placed her palm against his cheek and spoke in a soothing tone. “It’s just a nightmare. That’s all it is. Wake up
Karina stood, but as she took a step, her foot caught on something, and she nearly fell. Before she could hit the ground, Wilfred caught her. The unexpected gesture left Karina more confused than ever. If he was so cold and distant moments ago, why would he help her like this? She wasn’t the only one caught off guard. Wilfred himself was surprised by his reaction. It had been pure instinct. The moment he saw her about to fall, he moved to catch her without a second thought. It was as if his heart acted faster than his words ever could. Before she could ask anything, Wilfred released her quickly, his demeanor detached once more, as if trying to explain away his actions. “Regardless, thank you for earlier.” He hesitated briefly before adding, “Do you have a way to get home? I can drive you if it’s inconvenient.” The warmth Karina felt moments ago instantly turned cold. She forced a bitter smile. “No need. I’ll get home on my own.” She laughed at herself inwardly, a s
Inside the hotel room, the place was a mess. Nina Walker woke up, her entire body sore and achy. She rubbed her temples, preparing to rise, and glanced at the tall figure lying next to her. His strikingly handsome face boasted sharply defined features and deep-set eyes. He remained sound asleep, showing no signs of waking.Nina sat up, the sheets slipping off, revealing faint marks on her fair, sensual shoulders. She got out of bed, bloodstains clearly visible on the sheets.Glancing at the time, realizing she was almost late for work, she grabbed her scattered professional attire from the floor and changed into it. Her stockings were already torn by him. She balled them up and tossed them into the trash, slipping on her high heels. There was a knock at the door. Nina was already neatly dressed, back in her role as an efficient secretary, holding her purse as she headed out. Entering was a pure-looking beauty. Nina had called her. The type that Nash York liked. Nina said, "You ju
Karina stood, but as she took a step, her foot caught on something, and she nearly fell. Before she could hit the ground, Wilfred caught her. The unexpected gesture left Karina more confused than ever. If he was so cold and distant moments ago, why would he help her like this? She wasn’t the only one caught off guard. Wilfred himself was surprised by his reaction. It had been pure instinct. The moment he saw her about to fall, he moved to catch her without a second thought. It was as if his heart acted faster than his words ever could. Before she could ask anything, Wilfred released her quickly, his demeanor detached once more, as if trying to explain away his actions. “Regardless, thank you for earlier.” He hesitated briefly before adding, “Do you have a way to get home? I can drive you if it’s inconvenient.” The warmth Karina felt moments ago instantly turned cold. She forced a bitter smile. “No need. I’ll get home on my own.” She laughed at herself inwardly, a s
Mrs. Santos glanced upstairs. “Mr. Wilfred went straight to bed after coming home, but I noticed he’s having nightmares again. Honestly, I think you should—"Before she could finish, Karina rushed past her, ignoring the protest.Mrs. Santos tried to stop her, but it was no use. Karina sprinted up the stairs and pushed open the bedroom door, her heart clenching at the sight before her. Wilfred, who was usually so composed and aloof, lay on the bed, visibly distressed. His eyes were tightly shut, his face drenched in sweat, and his lips were pressed together so hard they were turning pale. Karina knelt by the bed, gently taking one of his hands in hers. It was so cold that it sent a chill through her. “Wilfred, can you hear me? It’s Karina. I’m here. Wake up,” she urged softly. But he didn’t respond. Karina took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She placed her palm against his cheek and spoke in a soothing tone. “It’s just a nightmare. That’s all it is. Wake up
Still, as long as she could see the smiles on the faces of patients and their families, it all felt worth it. But when Karina went to the director’s office, it was empty. The quiet room seemed to carry traces of Wilfred’s presence, leaving her momentarily dazed. “Where could he have gone?” she wondered.Just then, someone passing by said, “Are you looking for Dr. Wilfred? I just saw him change clothes and leave. He might have gone home. It’s already past office hours.” Karina glanced outside at the darkening sky and nodded in realization. But something still didn’t sit right. Not to mention, Wilfred always let her know when he was leaving work. Most days, he would even drive her home. If he wanted to go back on his own today, wouldn’t he at least say something? Shaking her head, she gave her cheeks a hard slap—hard enough to make them sting. “What are you even thinking, Karina? Who are you to him, anyway? He doesn’t owe you an explanation for leaving.” Talking hersel
By now, everyone had fully recognized Wilfred’s skills. In fact, when trouble arose, he was the first person they turned to for a solution. With Wilfred around, everyone felt much more reassured.On the way to the operating room, Karina trailed behind him, her gaze fixed on his back. She clenched her fists silently. She had always thought she had made progress, but moments like this reminded her she still wasn’t good enough and still couldn’t quite match his level. She resolved to work even harder and live up to the expectations he had for her. *Karina entered the operating room and prepared to take the lead. When the assisting nurses and doctors inside saw that the surgeon had suddenly changed, they were visibly surprised. But in the sterile silence of the operating room, and with their faces hidden behind masks, no one spoke out loud. Instead, they quietly worried in their hearts. Wilfred found a seat nearby, observing silently. Karina stayed focused, pouring a
With about two hours left before the surgery, Karina focused intently on reviewing the patient’s information. She had never taken over a major surgery at the last minute before, and she didn’t want to waste a single second. Wilfred didn’t remain idle either. Leaning forward slightly, he pointed to the patient file with a steady hand. “This patient has coronary artery disease, along with several other complications causing vascular blockages. When he arrived at the hospital, he had already lost consciousness.” He continued in a calm, soothing tone, like the gentle flow of a stream. “Since the patient is over fifty, you’ll need to be particularly mindful during the procedure…” His steady voice eased Karina’s anxiety, giving her a sense of calm she desperately needed. When a knock at the door interrupted them, signaling it was time to head to the operating room, Karina felt more composed. Just as she stood, Wilfred rose with her. “I’ll go with you,” he said. “Having me ther
Wilfred looked at Karina, but in the end, he didn’t say what was on his mind. “How much longer are you going to wrap it?” he asked. Karina snapped out of her thoughts and realized she had nearly mummified his hand in bandages. “Oh, sorry! You were talking to me earlier, and I got distracted. Let me undo some of this.” She carefully unwrapped a couple of outer layers, and the bandaging instantly looked much better. Still, Karina couldn’t help her worried expression. “How did you get hurt? Did you grab the knife directly earlier?” Adjusting the bandages to feel more comfortable, Wilfred replied casually, “No, it just grazed me.” Karina’s brows knit tightly together. She felt an urge to storm down to the police station and give the culprit a piece of her mind. At the same time, she couldn’t understand Wilfred’s calm demeanor. He acted as if being injured was no big deal, his expression unbothered, like this was just another ordinary day. She couldn’t hold back. “You
Without sparing the man another glance, Karina let out a breath of relief as the police quickly left, bringing an end to the chaotic ordeal. Just as she thought she could relax, Yvette appeared nearby, making exaggerated winks and smirks, her face practically screaming curiosity. “Do you have a twitch or something?” Karina asked, raising an eyebrow. Yvette rolled her eyes. “Twitch? Who taught you how to talk? And no, that’s not the point! Spill it—what’s going on with you and the director?” Karina blinked, confused. “What do you mean by what’s going on?” Yvette’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you serious? Just now! You two were like all hugged up together! Do you think we’re blind? We all saw it. If you say there’s nothing going on, even a ghost wouldn’t believe you!“I’m telling you, honesty is your best option. Spill the truth now, and our friendship might survive this,” Yvette teased with mock seriousness. Karina’s brain blanked out. Her face flushed bright red
As soon as the man’s attention shifted, Karina acted without hesitation. She lifted her leg and delivered a sharp kick straight to his groin. The man immediately let go, doubling over in pain. Karina didn’t waste a second. She bolted for the door, grabbing anything within reach—a patient file, a water glass—and hurling them at him as she ran, not even pausing to aim. His curses and shouts echoed behind her as she escaped. Just as she darted out the door, she collided with what felt like a wall of solid muscle. Before she could react, large hands gripped her shoulders, holding her firmly in place. Karina didn’t look up. In her panic, she assumed it was one of the man’s accomplices. Terrified, she yelled, “No! Get away from me!” She tried to repeat her earlier tactic, but this time her attempt was blocked. Her heart sank in despair—until a familiar voice came from above her. “Why are you so shaken up? Did someone hurt you?” Karina froze, then looked up and saw Wil
But Karina still felt embarrassed. Noticing this, Wilfred stopped what he was doing, sat back in the driver’s seat, and fixed his gaze on her. In the light, his usually dark eyes softened to a deep, rich brown. His stare made Karina fidget, her heart pounding in her chest. She was certain her face was already bright red. “What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?” Wilfred’s lips curved into a faint smile, so subtle it was almost imperceptible. “If you really want to thank me, hurry up and write a proper thesis.” Thud!Karina’s heart skipped a beat, and any trace of excitement crashed and burned.She was momentarily speechless. How could someone constantly bring up writing a thesis? Wasn’t that the least romantic thing he could say? She completely forgot how flustered she had been moments earlier, unable to even meet Wilfred’s eyes. *Once the lawyer was arranged, the next step was filing a lawsuit with the court. This was beyond Karina’s scope, so she left ev