Some distance away, the emergency room buzzed with activity as doctors and nurses hurried past, their scrubs swishing in a flurry of purpose.
But the hallway outside the operating theatres was quiet.
Callie leaned against the wall, her white coat wrinkled and stained with blood.
She tried to compose herself, wiping away the remnants of tears that stained her cheeks.
Elias didn’t release his grip on Callie, his eyes penetrating into her soul.
‘What happened?’ he asked, his concern seeping through the sternness in his tone. ‘Why were you crying? And what’s with the blood on your arm?’
Callie’s guard shot up like a fortress wall.
She wiped away her tears, determined not to let a stranger witness her vulnerability.
‘It’s none of your business,’ she snapped, her voice tinged with defiance.
Elias moved closer, his gaze unwavering.
Callie’s breath hitched as she felt his proximity, his presence engulfing her.
‘Maybe it is my business,’ he countered, his voice low and commanding. ‘I don’t like seeing tears in those beautiful eyes.’
Callie’s cheeks flushed, her heart pounding against her ribcage.
She wasn’t accustomed to such directness.
Her instincts told her to step back, but a small part of her longed for the solace of a comforting touch.
Her voice trembled slightly as she met his eyes. ‘It’s nothing, really.’
‘Then why are you crying?’
‘It’s nothing,’ she repeated, her voice shaky. ‘Just a bad day.’
Elias moved closer, his gaze unwavering.
Callie’s heart skipped a beat, and she stumbled over her words. ‘I-I really can handle it myself,’ she stammered, flustered by his proximity.
‘Did you donate blood?’ Elias demanded. ‘Is that why you have a bandage on your arm and why you look so pale?’
Callie looked away nonchalantly, dismissing his remark. ‘I don’t have to explain myself to you.’
Elias leaned in, his lips dangerously close to hers.
Flustered, Callie took an instinctive step backwards, bumping into the wall behind her.
Her breath caught, and her mind whirled with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Just then, a familiar voice pierced through the tension, cutting through their conversation like a knife.
It was Wendy, the spunky nurse with a fiery spirit and a knack for speaking her mind.
‘Callie!’ Wendy exclaimed, rushing towards them. ‘There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you. How are you feeling? You lost so much blood. Are you all right?’
Callie managed a weak smile. ‘I’m fine, Wendy. Really. Just a little tired, that’s all.’
Wendy’s eyes narrowed, her frustration evident in her tone. ‘Abby is such a pain, you know? Always acting like she knows everything. If it weren’t for you, that soldier wouldn’t have made it. She needs to learn her place.’
Callie patted the nurse’s arm. ‘Wendy, calm down. It’s not worth getting worked up over. Let’s focus on the patients.’
‘That despicable Abby Colman!’ Wendy’s teeth clenched, still seething. ‘I don’t understand how Simon could choose Abby over you. You two had plans to get married next year, and your relationship seemed so solid. If it weren’t for Abby’s meddling, everything would have worked out perfectly. Simon is such a jerk. He must be after that witch’s wealth and status...’
Wendy’s words struck Callie’s heart once again, breaking it further.
She intervened, speaking softly, ‘Wendy, that’s enough. Their relationship has nothing to do with me. I saved that soldier not to prove a point but because I’m a doctor...’
Elias watched the interaction between Callie and Wendy, his gaze shifting from one to the other.
A pensive expression played on his face as he assessed the strength and resilience in Callie’s eyes, and the unmistakable anguish in her voice.
Thoughts of the photo he had seen in her apartment haunted him—the despicable ex-boyfriend Simon, he concluded.
However, the fact that the photo was discarded in the trash can brought him a sense of relief.
Elias studied Callie once more, his eyes lingering on the bandage adorning her arm.
Nurse Wendy’s words told him that it was a result of a blood transfusion.
Impressed by Callie’s dedication, Elias couldn’t help but be drawn to her.
She had not only performed life-saving surgery on one of his subordinates but had also donated her own blood for the patient’s recovery.
Meanwhile, Wendy, engrossed in conversation with Callie, couldn’t help but notice the tall, muscular man standing nearby.
Her eyes widened, and she almost let out a wolf whistle.
Clad in a tight-fitting black t-shirt and black pants, the man exuded a commanding presence.
His striking features and intense gaze were enough to make anyone weak in the knees.
Wendy nudged Callie, pulling her aside.
‘Callie, girl! Do you know who that hunk of a man is?’ Wendy gushed, her eyes filled with excitement.
Callie shook her head, her expression wary. ‘I have no idea, Wendy.’
Wendy swooned, her voice laced with admiration. ‘Look at him! He’s like a walking work of art. I mean, seriously, have you ever seen anyone so good-looking?’
Callie sighed, cautioning her friend and colleague. ‘Wendy, you have to be careful. Just remember, the prettier they are, the more dangerous they can be. It’s like in nature—beautiful creatures are often the deadliest.’
Elias, standing nearby, caught wind of their conversation and couldn’t help but smirk.
Callie warned Wendy to keep her distance, and yet, here she was, praising his appearance.
Elias found her contradictory statement amusing.
Unconvinced by Callie’s words, Wendy pressed for evidence. ‘Come on, Callie, you can’t just judge a book by its cover. Is there any proof that he’s dangerous?’
Callie almost revealed the truth, her thoughts drifting back to that rainy night weeks ago—the torn blouse, the forceful kiss.
But she caught herself just in time, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
She deflected Wendy’s curiosity, dismissing it as nothing.
Just as Wendy pressed her for an answer, a soldier in combat gear approached, drawing their attention.
Both Wendy and Callie saw him, but paid him no heed.
Rosedale Hospital, where they worked, had close ties to the military.
It was not uncommon to see soldiers there.
The soldier came to a halt before Elias, saluting sharply.
He addressed Elias as ‘Lieutenant Colonel Westwood’ and reported that the injured members of their squad, who had been admitted to Rosedale Hospital, were now in stable condition.
Elias nodded in acknowledgement, his military instincts taking over.
Callie and Wendy exchanged amazed glances, struggling to process the revelation.Callie couldn’t help but feel a sense of astonishment at Elias being a soldier, as he wasn’t dressed in uniform.But then, it would explain all the bullet wounds and scars on his body.Lieutenant Colonel—a high-ranking position, she assumed, given the young soldier’s respect.There was something undeniably alluring about a man in uniform.Wendy, always the romantic, seized Callie’s hands, her eyes shining with excitement. ‘Oh my gosh, Callie! Are all soldiers that ridiculously attractive?’Callie was about to respond, but a sudden wave of dizziness crashed over her like a rogue wave.Her head spun, the world blurring into a whirlpool of confusion.And then, without warning, her legs buckled beneath her, and she slumped to the ground in a heap.‘Woah, hold up!’ Wendy lunged forward, but before she could catch Callie, a pair of strong arms swooped in and cradled her limp form.‘Callie!’ Wendy reached for Ca
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
‘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