A New Discovery

Emma’s p.o.v.:

I returned to work, my mind still swirling from the intense conversation with Daniel. I needed a distraction, something to focus on. During a break, I overheard two colleagues excitedly discussing an upcoming medical conference in Santorini, Greece. The conference would focus on hematology, and I realized it could be a perfect opportunity for professional growth and a chance to combine it with our planned trip.

The idea sparked a renewed sense of purpose. I decided to submit my case study on cold agglutinin disorder due to CMV infection. If accepted, I could become a speaker at the conference, significantly enhancing my portfolio. I approached the head of the internal medicine department with my plan.

"Dr. Patel, I’d like to submit my case study to the hematology conference in Santorini. If it gets accepted, I could present it and represent our hospital," I said, trying to contain my excitement.

Dr. Patel looked up from her desk, a thoughtful expression on her face. "That’s an excellent idea, Emma. Your work on that case was impressive. This could bring a lot of positive attention to our department and the hospital. Go ahead and submit it."

I felt a rush of adrenaline. "Thank you, Dr. Patel. I’ll get on it right away."

As I prepared my submission, I couldn’t help but notice the mixed reactions from my colleagues. Some looked at me with jealousy, while others, especially the trainees, seemed to admire my aspiration. It felt good to be a source of inspiration, but it also added pressure to succeed.

Later that day, I headed home with a sense of accomplishment. When I walked through the door, Daniel was waiting for me, his expression curious. "How was your day?"

"I submitted my case study to the hematology conference in Santorini," I said, unable to hide my excitement. "If it gets accepted, I’ll need to be there in a month. The conference lasts for five days, and after that, we could spend the rest of the holiday together."

Daniel’s face lit up with genuine happiness. "That’s amazing news, Emma! I’d love to go with you. It’ll be good for us to spend some time together, and I can’t wait to see you speak at the conference."

Seeing the glimmer of hope in my eyes seemed to warm his heart. It felt like a small step towards mending our fractured relationship. But then, one of his work phones lit up. He glanced at it and his expression changed. "I need to take this. It might be urgent."

He accepted the phone call and moved to the next room to speak. For the first time, I noticed something that had never bothered me before. Daniel had too many phones. I counted at least three. Why did he need so many?

As he spoke in hushed tones, curiosity gnawed at me. I couldn't hear the conversation, but the secrecy was unsettling. When he returned, his demeanor had shifted slightly, as if he was carrying a weight he couldn't share.

"Everything okay?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Just some work stuff," he replied with a reassuring smile. "Nothing to worry about."

But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Later that evening, when Daniel was in the shower, I noticed one of his phones lying on the desk. It wasn't his usual work phone, nor his personal one. This one was different, and I had never seen him use it openly.

A gnawing suspicion began to grow. Why did he need so many phones? And who had called him so urgently at this hour?

I decided not to confront him directly yet. Instead, I resolved to keep an eye on things, to see if there were any more clues. The prospect of the conference in Santorini gave me something to look forward to, but now, there was a shadow hanging over my excitement.

The next morning, I sent a quick email to the conference organizers, eager to know if my case study had been accepted. As I went about my day, the anticipation was mixed with an underlying tension. Whatever Daniel was hiding, I intended to find out. For now, though, I had to focus on my work and the possibility of a new beginning in Santorini.