If You Dare

"Doctor West, I have the results that you asked for." The voice cut through the sterile silence of the office. Dr. West looked up, his piercing gaze landing on the younger doctor, who hesitated at the threshold, an envelope clutched in his hand.

"Come in, put it down here," Dr. West commanded, his tone allowing no room for argument as he gestured to the clutter-free expanse of his mahogany desk. The other doctor complied, laying the envelope down as if it were fragile cargo.

"Though, why did you ask me to run the test without the other party?" The inquiry was tentative, almost fearful of breaching some unspoken protocol.

Dr. West's fingers grazed the envelope, his expression unreadable. "Well, I didn't want the young lady to have hopes."

The words hung heavy in the air, like a thick fog that refused to dissipate. They were sentences that passed with the finality of a guillotine's blade, leaving behind an oppressive silence. As Dr. West tore open the envelope, his hands steady despite