Callie could feel the waves of anger radiating from Elias, like a volcanic eruption about to happen.
Why was he angry?
What did any of this have to do with him?
It was her embarrassment, her pain—it had nothing to do with him.
‘Lieutenant Colonel Westwood, this is a hospital!’ Callie’s voice quivered.
‘That night, you could have left me on the street. Why did you save me? Why did you take me home?’ Elias’s gaze locked with Callie’s reddened eyes, his own eyes deep and intense
‘Because, like I told you, I’m a doctor,’ she replied with utmost seriousness. ‘A doctor’s duty is to save lives and heal wounds. What happened that night, I would have done it for anyone.’
Elias’s fingers tightened gradually, conflicting emotions swirling within him.
As he looked into Callie’s red-rimmed eyes, he knew she spoke the truth.
And yet, the knowledge that she would have done it for anyone agitated him.
In the next instant, he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.
Unlike their previous staged encounter, this kiss was real, raw, and filled with longing.
Elias’s tongue explored her mouth with a sense of urgency, leaving Callie feeling overwhelmed and lightheaded.
She struggled to break free from his firm grip on her wrists, but he held her firmly in place, his eyes filled with desire.
Callie mustered all her strength and bit down on his tongue, hard enough to draw blood.
Elias pulled back, panting.
The sight of her lips stained with his blood only fuelled his desire for her even more.
‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ Callie snapped, her voice dripping with anger. ‘Is this how you treat someone who saved your life just weeks ago?’
His gaze lingered on her lips.
‘Callie,’ he began, his voice husky, ‘crying over your ex-boyfriend won’t solve anything.’
Confusion etched across her face, Callie furrowed her brows.
‘Then what will?’ she demanded, her voice tinged with frustration.
Elias leaned closer, his warm breath caressing her cheek. ‘You need to show him what he’s lost. Find a man who’s more handsome, more powerful, and richer than him. Then, make a grand entrance into his life with your new partner.’
Callie scoffed, her eyes rolling in disbelief. ‘Where am I supposed to find someone like that?’
Elias’s fingers gently lifted her chin, locking their gazes together.
‘I can be that man,’ he said. ‘If you agree to be with me, I’ll protect you from any harm, including your ex-boyfriend.’
Flustered and caught off guard, Callie’s mind raced with conflicting thoughts.
Elias, a virtual stranger, stood before her with an earnestness that she couldn’t ignore.
She bit her lower lip, contemplating his proposal.
Revenge against Simon and Abby, her ex-boyfriend and his new flame, had been consuming her thoughts.
Callie’s heart was torn between accepting Elias’s proposal and remaining cautious.
She barely knew him, having only crossed paths with him twice.
Doubt clouded her eyes, and she found herself lost in the uncertainty of the moment.
Elias observed Callie with an unwavering gaze, tenderness gleaming in his eyes.
As a seasoned soldier, he was accustomed to making swift decisions and taking immediate action.
It was a trait that had propelled him through the ranks to become a lieutenant colonel.
But with Callie, he realised the need for patience.
He understood that their connection was still nascent, and he wanted to give her the time she needed to decide.
‘Take your time, Callie,’ Elias said, his voice gentle yet firm. ‘If you’re unsure about this, you have three days to think it over. Rest well and take care of yourself.’
With those words, Elias turned and left the hospital room.
Standing in the hallway, he glanced back through the window and caught sight of Callie pulling the blanket over her face, as if seeking solace or a means of hiding.
A smile crept onto his lips; it was evident that she didn’t remember their first meeting three years ago.
In her eyes, he was merely a stranger.
But Elias didn’t mind.
He remembered her well, every moment of their brief encounter etched into his memory.
He knew there would be ample time for Callie to get to know him better, to discover the depths of his character and the sincerity behind his proposal.
***
Stuart Colman, a middle-aged man with thinning hair and a pair of spectacles perched on his nose, sat behind his polished desk in his spacious office at Rosedale Hospital.
Dressed in a tailored suit, he exuded an air of authority and arrogance.
Before him stood his daughter, Abby Colman, her head bowed and tears welling in her eyes.
Stuart sighed deeply and removed his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose.
He had just scolded Abby for a grave mistake she had made earlier that day.
Her reckless decision to perform an unauthorised thoracotomy had nearly cost a patient’s life, and it was only through the swift intervention of Dr Hawthorne that disaster had been averted.
‘Abby,’ Stuart’s voice resonated with disappointment and frustration. ‘Do you understand the gravity of your actions? You could have killed that soldier today. If I hadn’t used my position as director to suppress this matter, you could have faced severe consequences. Your career as a doctor could have been ruined.’
Abby’s voice trembled as she tried to defend herself. ‘Dad, I only did it because the patient was in critical condition. There was no other qualified surgeon available at the time. I had to try and save him.’
Stuart’s anger surged through his body, causing his voice to quiver with intensity. ‘Abby, if that soldier had died on the operating table, it would have been a catastrophe. Even I, as the director, would not have been able to protect you. You need to realise the consequences of your actions. The soldier belongs to the Special Forces, and this hospital is accountable to them. If your negligence had cost him his life, you could have faced court-martial. Do you understand?’
As Stuart’s words sank in, Abby’s eyes widened with realisation.
The weight of her mistake pressed upon her, and she could no longer deny the severity of the situation.
However, her pride prevented her from expressing gratitude towards Callie Hawthorne.
‘I don’t owe Callie anything,’ Abby retorted defiantly. ‘She only intervened to show off and prove herself better than me. I won’t thank her for that.’Stuart’s frustration deepened, his face reddening with anger. ‘Abby, this is not about your personal vendettas or petty rivalries. This is about patient care and professionalism. You must learn to put your ego aside and acknowledge the assistance you receive, regardless of who it comes from.’Simon, a suave and ambitious surgeon who always had a smooth answer ready, stepped forward to defend his fiancée. ‘Mr Colman, it’s Abby’s first year as a surgical resident. Mistakes happen, especially in high-pressure situations. She was only trying to help. I can assure you that she has learned her lesson.’Stuart glanced at Simon, his expression softened slightly. ‘Simon, as Abby’s future husband, I expect you to take good care of her at work. Ensure that she learns from this incident and improves her practice. We can’t afford any more slip-ups.
Callie’s eyebrows furrowed in surprise, but she maintained her composure.She appreciated Joshua’s straightforwardness, even if his approach seemed a bit cold.She nodded, indicating her willingness to participate.‘How much do you earn per month?’ Joshua asked.‘Well, as a fifth-year surgical resident, I make around five to six thousand dollars a month.’‘Not bad. Now, what about your parents? What do they do for a living?’‘Actually, I don't have parents. I grew up as an orphan.’Joshua scowled. ‘I see. Moving on, do you own any property or are you living in a rental?’‘I currently live in a rented one-bedroom apartment.’‘Fair enough. Last question, are you currently in debt?’‘Well, I do have a student loan of about two hundred fifty thousand dollars.’ Callie shrugged. ‘Medical school loans, you know how it is.’Joshua stood up abruptly and started packing up his belongings. ‘Well, this has been a complete waste of my time. You should know better than to lead people on, Miss Hawth
Despite her tough exterior, Callie was still hurting from the breakup.She had poured her heart and soul into the relationship, only to be betrayed by Simon for the sake of his career.Simon’s face contorted with pain, his voice filled with anguish. ‘Please, Callie, give me another chance. Let me prove to you that we belong together.’He grasped Callie’s wrist, pleading with her. ‘I know you still have feelings for me. I remember the promises I made, that I’d take care of you for the rest of my life. I haven’t forgotten.’Callie’s eyes narrowed, disbelief written across her face.She said mockingly, ‘Take care of me? Really, Simon? With your empty promises and broken trust?’Simon’s voice quivered as he tried to explain himself. ‘You don’t understand, Callie. I’m just a surgeon from an ordinary family. I can’t give you the luxurious lifestyle you deserve. That’s why I had to marry Abby. But it’s only temporary, I promise. Once I have everything I want—the hospital directorship and wea
Abby, clad in her pristine white coat, finished her morning rounds and emerged into the bustling hospital hallway just in time to overhear Callie and Wendy’s conversation.A smug smirk danced across her lips as she savoured the opportunity to stir up trouble.She approached Callie, her voice dripping with false sympathy. ‘Oh, Dr Hawthorne, I heard about your article. Such a shame it got rejected. I thought it was top-notch.’Her tone was smooth and sugary, but her words rang hollow.Callie remained silent, refusing to take the bait set by her ex-boyfriend’s conniving fiancée.Abby continued, unfazed, ‘Maybe it just wasn’t good enough, Callie. It’s too bad. Such a rejection might even hinder your chances of getting your full-time position at the hospital approved.’Callie’s composure remained unshaken. ‘Thank you for your concern, Abby. But as a fifth-year surgical resident, I have offers from other hospitals. Staying at Rosedale isn’t my only option. Besides, you should be more concer
Callie bit her lower lip, her thoughts racing as she tried to gather her thoughts.The demands of her gruelling schedule as a surgical resident had left her with little time for personal matters, and she had honestly forgotten about Elias’s proposal.She looked up at him, uncertainty in her eyes.‘I... I’m sorry, Lieutenant Colonel Westwood, I—’‘Just call me Elias.’‘All right. Um, Elias, the past few days have been a blur. I completely forgot about your, um, your proposal.’ She shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of the decision pressing upon her.Before she could utter another word, her phone buzzed in the pocket of her pristine white lab coat.The caller ID flashed ‘Abby Colman.’Confusion washed over Callie’s face—why would Simon’s new girlfriend be calling her?The two women certainly weren’t friends, given the tension that had lingered since the end of Callie’s relationship with Simon.Curiosity gnawed at her, and she stepped away from Elias, answering the call. ‘Hello, A
Callie’s voice trembled as she demanded to know if he had been eavesdropping on her phone call with Abby.Elias’s gaze never wavered as he spoke, his voice deep and resonant. ‘There were only the two of us up here on the roof, bunny. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. It wasn’t intentional eavesdropping.’His words held a mix of apology and understanding.Humiliation washed over Callie, her vulnerability exposed before this man she barely knew.Her voice broke as she sobbed. ‘Why? Why is she doing this to me? I don’t understand. All I want is to focus on my work as a doctor, to make a difference in people’s lives. Why is Abby persisting in tormenting me?’Elias’s strong presence remained unwavering as he leaned down, his voice a whisper against her ear. ‘Callie, be my woman. Marry me.’His words held a promise of protection, a vow to shield her from any harm that might come her way.He spoke with conviction, his voice tinged with the authority of a soldier accustomed to g
‘I... I didn’t...’ Simon stammered, his voice filled with desperation as he tried to salvage his delusion. ‘I know... deep down, you still have feelings for me. Your indifference only hides the space you’ve kept for me in your heart.’Callie’s patience wore thin as she listened to Simon’s feeble attempts to hold onto a love that no longer existed.She mustered her strength and shot back, ‘Simon, there is no space in my heart for you. You need to understand that and move on.’Desperation tinged Simon’s voice as he persisted, his words slurred and laden with false promises. ‘I want... I want to tell you not to come to my wedding. I’m afraid you’ll be hurt. Don’t worry, once I have everything, I’ll divorce Abby. I’ll choose you over her.’Callie clenched her teeth, her frustration boiling within her.She glanced up to meet Elias’s gaze, expecting to see a hint of disdain or triumph.However, to her surprise, his eyes held a clear, unwavering gaze.‘Give me the phone,’ Elias said, his voi
‘All right,’ Callie agreed, slipping off her white coat and making her way downstairs with Elias.Elias was in civilian clothes, his jacket devoid of any intricate design, yet the man exuded a charm that captivated those around him.His face remained impassive, and his dark eyes resembled the depths of a bewitching night, luring people into their enchanting gaze.As Callie and Elias stepped out of the lift, their mere presence drew the attention of the entire room, with most of the eyes falling on Elias.It wasn’t because Callie lacked in beauty, but Elias possessed a natural magnetism that compelled all eyes to gravitate towards him.Feeling overshadowed by his dazzling allure, Callie instinctively created a distance between them.She attempted to do so discreetly, but as a perceptive soldier, Elias caught onto her actions.Amidst the scrutinizing gazes of onlookers, he took the initiative and gently clasped Callie’s hand.Her hand, petite and delicate, was effortlessly enveloped by