Chapter 1

‘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.’

**********************************************

Elias Westwood, billionaire heir turned professional solider, a commanding presence on the battlefield, conceals a tender heart that beats for only one woman——Callie Hawthorne, a fearless surgical resident, possesses an innocent charm and wields her skills like a warrior in the operating theatre.

Their first encounter thrusts them into a dangerous game of deception. Elias uses Callie as a pawn, their lips locked in a passionate kiss, fooling his pursuers. In that moment, Callie feels the allure of the enigmatic soldier, and a strange connection sparks between them.

An impulsive decision seals their fate—a hasty marriage to escape an arranged union and prove Callie’s readiness to move on from a past love.

Little did they know, this act would propel them onto an unforeseen path.

Will Elias and Callie emerge unscathed from the shadows, or will their sacrifices shatter their dreams forever? Discover their fight for a future filled with hope, trust, and the promise of a happy ending.

Chapter 1 Robbed at Her Doorstep

‘Who the hell are you? What are you doing? Let go, mm—’

Callie’s protest was silenced by the man’s rough hand clamped over her mouth.

Who would’ve thought that after finishing her night shift and returning home, she’d get ambushed right at her doorstep!

No black belt in self-defence here, but if this guy thought she’d be easy prey, he was dead wrong!

Callie swallowed hard and chomped down on the man’s palm, hoping to inflict some serious pain.

To her surprise, the man didn’t even flinch, not even a tiny groan.

Instead, he tightened his grip.

What was wrong with this guy?

Maybe her bite wasn’t quite ‘chompy’ enough?

Just as Callie geared up for another bite, she heard approaching footsteps and men’s voices.

More accomplices?

Since when did muggers operate in groups?

A man’s slightly nasal voice said, ‘I just got word from HQ. He killed Viper! This time, we can’t let him slip away.’

‘Don’t worry! He’s wounded, ain’t going far.’

‘But if he does escape, we’re screwed!’

…

Callie’s heart pounded so loudly in her chest, she was surprised the men didn’t hear it.

Wait, could the ‘he’ they were talking about be the jerk holding her hostage right now?

Unbelievable! Not only was he injured, but he was also on the run for murder—wait!

So this wasn’t a mugging?

But that didn’t make Callie feel any better.

If anything, it was worse.

This guy might just kill her to cover his tracks!

Just as Callie was panicking, the man leaned close to her ear.

His voice was hushed and ice cold, devoid of emotion. ‘Play along. Or both of us die here tonight.’

Play along? With what?

The man didn’t give Callie time to react.

The moment he finished speaking, he spun Callie around to face him, his hands firmly pressing her against the wall.

Callie was trapped between his warm chest and the cold concrete surface, with no wiggle room.

And then he forcefully claimed her lips, swallowing her objections.

What in the world was happening?

Callie’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she wanted to resist, but the man had arms like steel cables, bulging with strength.

Plus, the conversation she’d overheard and the man’s not-so-thinly-veiled threat gave her pause.

Perhaps it was best to play along, for now.

Reluctantly, Callie placed her hands on the man’s back, seizing the opportunity to give him a hard pinch.

Apart from the scowl on her face, the scene between them almost looked like some kind of wild, hungry lovers going at it in the dead of night.

‘Jesus, please, make time fly!’ Callie prayed silently.

As the footsteps drew near, her heart jumped from her chest into her throat.

Suddenly, she felt the man’s strong hands move to her back and ripped her blouse apart with one swift move.

‘B*stard!’ Callie pounded his back, eyes blazing with anger.

Exposed to the chilly night air, she felt goosebumps crawling up her skin.

The man didn’t make a sound, his lips still glued to hers.

Ignoring her frustration, he just kept going, making the fake make-out scene even more intense.

Their bodies were bathed in moonlight, creating a passionate tableau.

The man cupped Callie’s face with both hands and pushed her deeper into the shadow cast by the wall.

‘What’s going on over there?’

‘Can’t you tell? They’re getting frisky!’

‘Still staring? Stop it! This is no time to get horny.’

‘I just want to see who’s the lucky guy. D*mn, that’s some slick move! Gotta try it sometime!’

‘Don’t disturb them. We’ll be in deep sh*t if the lovebirds call the cops.’

Gradually, the footsteps faded away.

With the coast clear, Callie gave the man a hard shove.

She wasn’t surprised to see the dark liquid seeping from the midsection of his shirt; she had detected the familiar copper smell of blood the moment the man came close.

Callie gently brushed her lips, their swollenness testament to the intense encounter with the stranger.

She wiped them with the back of her hand, her eyes narrowing as she finally got a good look at him.

His hair tousled by the wind, his eyes holding a glimmer of wariness, the man exuded an air of danger and aloofness that sent shivers down her spine.

And yet, there was something mesmerising about those cold, piercing eyes.

Callie had never come across such a captivatingly dangerous man before.

Even the air around him seemed degrees colder.

Elias Westwood was sizing her up just as she was him.

Callie noticed a subtle change in his expression as his gaze lingered on her.

It was a mix of surprise and something else she couldn’t quite place.

Elias hadn’t expected to cross paths with her here, in this moment.

It seemed that she didn’t recognise him at all.

As guilty as he felt for forcing a kiss upon a stranger, as a way to throw off his pursuers, he couldn’t deny the jolt of joy when he realised it was her.

At the same time, he was concerned.

The men after him wouldn’t think twice about eliminating witnesses, even if they were innocent civilians.

Elias blinked and was about to speak, but dark spots started swimming in front of his eyes.

Wounded, bleeding and hunted, he had been running on fumes, powered by nothing but survival instinct and adrenaline.

But now that the immediate danger had passed, he couldn’t hold on any longer.

His consciousness slipped away, and he collapsed.

‘Hey!’ Callie gave a yelp of alarm.

Her knees buckled with the stranger’s 6 feet 3 inches frame weighing down on her, making it hard to breathe.

Callie let out an expletive.

Not only had the b*stard kissed her, but he had also torn her clothes apart.

Now he conveniently passed out without even an apology.

The thought of it made anger well up within her, tempting her to abandon him right then and there.

Yet, she hesitated when she considered the wound in his abdomen.

She was a doctor, after all.

Chapter 2 Scars All Over

Despite her distaste for his cold, domineering manners, Callie couldn’t stand by and watch him bleed to death.

Besides, there was a certain fearlessness in his actions, a determination to shield her from harm.

Callie sighed, giving in to her better judgment.

Suppressing the urge to leave him behind, she decided to carry him back to her place.

Despite the cool, drizzling autumn night, beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she struggled under the weight of his unconscious body.

By the time she manoeuvred him onto the bed, her face glistened with perspiration, and she was panting heavily.

But Callie didn’t allow herself much rest.

She bent down, pulling out the emergency medical kit stowed beneath the bed.

Initially, she had planned to rip open his blood-soaked shirt just as he had done to hers, but her strength failed her.

With a sigh, she resorted to cutting his shirt open with a pair of scissors.

As Callie glanced down, she was met with a sight that almost drew a wolf whistle from her.

From a doctor’s perspective, the man’s physique embodied near perfection, a testament to dedication and hard work.

His shoulders were broad and muscular, with well-developed deltoid muscles giving them a rounded appearance.

His arms showcased strong biceps and triceps, exhibiting a noticeable size and definition.

The forearm muscles were well-toned, displaying strength and muscularity.

His chest was broad and well-developed, with sculpted pectoral muscles that were firm and toned.

The abdominal region featured a defined six-pack, with an enticing V-shape tapering down to his waist.

However, the otherwise perfect body was marred by at least half a dozen scars etched across it, with a two-inch long gash below his left sternum, still bleeding.

Old wounds, now healed, but still visible, spoke volumes about the tumultuous experiences he had endured.

Callie’s eyes were drawn to a gunshot wound, a mere half-inch from his heart, a perilous reminder of how close he had come to losing his life.

The bullet must have torn right through his body, leaving a star-shaped scar both front and back.

Despite working at a hospital affiliated with the army, she had never personally treated a patient with a gunshot wound or witnessed such an injury before.

All her knowledge was limited to what she had read in medical textbooks.

Callie couldn’t fathom who had tended to this wound, but one thing was certain: even with a skilled surgeon, this man’s survival was nothing short of a miracle.

The scars raised more questions.

Within the borders of Engalia, guns were strictly prohibited for civilians.

For this man to be tangled up with folks who had firearms, he was either one of the angels—law enforcement or military, or one of the bad guys.

His ambush of her pointed the possibility to the latter, but the lack of any real harm done to her pointed to the former.

For some inexplicable reason, Callie couldn’t resist the compulsion to touch the star-shaped scar.

Her fingertips tingled from the warmth radiating from the man’s chest, as a fever coursed through his body.

The man was an enigma.

How did he end up with such a severe abdominal wound, likely made by the tip of a sharp dagger?

Who were those assailants after him, and why?

A barrage of questions swirled in Callie’s mind, her suspicions growing with each passing moment.

Despite her doubts, though, Callie’s duty as a doctor overrode any judgments.

Regardless of his past, she was determined to do her best to treat him.

She brushed aside thoughts of his identity, focusing on her role as a healer.

With steady hands, she applied a clean gauze to the bleeding gash, desperate to stem the flow of blood.

The pain from her action failed to rouse the unconscious man or elicit even a groan, but his hand instinctively gripped her wrist with a strength that felt capable of crushing her bones.

Callie winced, but didn’t pull away.

She continued to apply pressure to his wound, determined to save his life.

Only when she removed the blood-soaked gauze did he release his grip, allowing her a brief respite.

Massaging her sore wrist, Callie continued her task, threading a needle and skilfully stitching up the wound.

Luckily, the man remained still this time, allowing her to swiftly close the wound and wrap it with a bandage.

Exhausted, Callie slumped against the edge of the bed, gazing at the unconscious stranger.

He had a handsome face, but she was in no mood to appreciate its striking masculine beauty.

‘You had the nerve to assault me and ruin my clothes!’ Her voice, hoarse with fatigue, held a mix of annoyance and weariness. ‘If you weren’t injured and passed out, I’d send you straight to the police!’

Her body ached from the ordeal of carrying a man twice her size and treating his wounds.

Callie couldn’t fight off the urge to rest any longer and soon succumbed to sleep, her weary body finding solace on the edge of the bed.

***

The moment dawn broke, Elias jolted awake, his eyes darting around the room, taking in the unfamiliar sight of pastel pink walls.

A touch to his bandaged abdomen confirmed that someone had tended to his wound.

Turning his gaze, he discovered Callie slumped against the bed, sleeping soundly.

Her breaths were even, and her long lashes fluttered with each inhale.

There were dark circles under her eyes; last night’s events must have drained her.

Without any makeup, her lips, slightly swollen, retained a captivating cherry-red hue, enticing him to lean closer and steal a taste.

In slumber, her face lost the guardedness she displayed when awake, revealing innocence and vulnerability.

She must have foregone involving the police, instead taking it upon herself to nurse him back to health.

Which was just like her, Elias thought with a smile.

She was the kind of woman who would go out of her way to save a stranger, just like she did the first time they met.

Chapter 3 Scoundrel Supreme

Elias’s eyes zeroed in on a dark bruise marring her pale wrist.

It was a stark reminder of the pain he had caused her unintentionally, when his mind was fogged by agony.

Elias touched her wrist, feeling guilty.

Though she didn’t recognise him, he remembered her very well.

He couldn’t resist the urge to caress her lips gently, savouring the memory of their sweet taste from last night.

But his touch interrupted Callie’s peaceful slumber, and she responded by biting down on his finger in annoyance.

Surprisingly, the sensation sent a jolt of arousal through Elias, his body instinctively responding before his mind could process the complex mix of emotions coursing through him.

Reluctantly, Elias withdrew his hand.

He got out of bed and stood.

She was still wearing the same blouse from the night before.

Its back was ripped open, exposing her fair skin to his view.

Elias swallowed hard and forced himself to look away, a difficult task.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but feel a little exasperated.

In her eyes, he was but a stranger.

Did she always let down her guard like this in front of strangers?

Baffled by her audacity, Elias frowned, but he couldn’t bring himself to disturb her rest.

Gently, he lifted her and settled her comfortably onto the bed, draping a cute quilt with little pandas over her.

Her petite frame felt light as a feather in his arms.

Glancing at the drizzle outside, Elias knew the rain last night had likely erased his tracks and thrown off his assailants from the Misehell Organisation.

Yet, he couldn’t stay here.

Her safety was at risk if he lingered.

Just as he was about to leave, a photo frame sticking out from the trash can caught his eye—a picture of Callie with another man, leaning into his arms, looking radiant with joy.

A feeling Elias had never experienced surged within him, and he longed to know what it was like to be genuinely happy like that.

With a final look at Callie, Elias left, closing the door gently on his way out.

***

Callie awoke in a daze, only to find herself in her own bed.

The stranger was gone, leaving her both puzzled and relieved.

But something bothered her more—how had she ended up on the bed, covered with the quilt?

She couldn’t remember doing that herself, which meant the stranger must have done it.

As she pulled away the thin quilt, she realised the sorry state of her clothes, barely hanging onto her body.

Her frustration grew at the realisation that the stranger might have seen her nearly n*ked.

‘Ugh! I’m never buying anything from that online boutique again!’ Callie ground her teeth, furious.

Why were her clothes so easy to tear, while his seemed indestructible?

Right then, Callie’s phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts.

Callie dug around the pile of quilts until she’d unearthed her phone.

‘Hey, Cece, I’ve set up a blind date for you. You better go and give it a shot!’ The voice on the other end belonged to Lily Hartwell, Callie’s best friend and a B-list actress.

‘Hey, Lilypad!’ Callie made a valiant effort to change the subject. ‘So, what exotic location are you off to this time for your ad shoot? Can you hook me up with some freebies? I need them for the orphanage—’

Lily cut her off with a booming voice, ‘Quit dodging the topic, Callista Hawthorne! I’ve set you up on a blind date. You better show up, got it?’

Callie yawned and grumbled, ‘Lily, seriously? I’m only twenty-five. Why do you always act like my mom and meddle in my love life?

‘If I had a clueless daughter like you, I’d give her a good shake.’ Lily’s words dripped with sarcasm. ‘How can I meddle in your love life when you don’t even have one?’

‘I had one,’ Callie protested.

‘Notice the use of past tense.’ It sounded like Lily was grinding her teeth. ‘That jerk Simon cheated on you, and now he has the nerve to invite you to his wedding. Don’t you think it’s time to show him what he’s missing? Going alone would be admitting defeat. Not going is even worse, and I know you’re better than that.’

Simon…

The name brought on a fresh wave of pain Callie thought she had long put behind her.

Simon Moncrieff was her colleague at Rosedale Hospital and her boyfriend for three years.

Well, ex-boyfriend now.

He also held the dubious title of ‘jerkwad,’ in Lily’s words, which had been upgraded to ‘Scoundrel Supreme’ status after he broke up with Callie, betraying her trust by having an affair with the hospital director’s daughter.

The wounds were still fresh, but revenge wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

Callie struggled to find the right words, but Lily seemed pressed for time. ‘Listen, I have to go now. I’ll have my assistant send you the details for the blind date later. You may act tough, but don’t think you can hide under your covers and cry just because I’m out of town. Stay strong, my girl!’

With that, she abruptly hung up, leaving Callie with teary-eyed frustration.

How did Lily always manage to see through her defences when she wasn’t even in the room?

Callie fell back into bed, staring at the ceiling.

She had turned down other blind dates in the past, but this time, she couldn’t refuse.

It was Lily’s way of looking out for her.

***

Time marched on.

The enigmatic stranger from that fateful night had vanished without a trace, as if he were a figment of Callie’s imagination.

Her demanding work as a surgical resident left her no room to dwell on him anyway—morning rounds at 6:30 am, assisting in surgeries from 7:30 till 11:30, afternoon clinics and consultations from 1 pm, then afternoon rounds at 3:00, followed by medical conferences at 5:00…

Meanwhile, Simon and Abby, his fiancée, seemed to revel in flaunting their relationship in front of Callie.

Chapter 4 Critical Condition

Callie made a conscious effort to focus on her work, refusing to engage with Abby’s taunts.

At least she had the satisfaction of not giving Abby the reaction she desired.

But fate had a way of throwing unexpected challenges her way.

One day, after finishing her gruelling morning shift, Callie was looking forward to heading home and catching some shut-eye.

Just as she was about to change out of her white coat, she received an urgent notice, summoning her back to duty.

The hospital had received an order from the military, requiring all available doctors to attend to a group of patients.

These were no ordinary patients—they were soldiers wounded in a daring mission, their injuries severe and their lives hanging by a thread.

The army made it clear that every effort must be made to save them.

Callie hurriedly donned a pristine white coat and dashed into the bustling emergency room at Rosedale Hospital.

Inside, she found a total of nine patients being triaged.

Four soldiers were in critical condition and required immediate surgery, while the remaining five faced less severe injuries.

Simon was there, issuing instructions to nurses to wheel two of the four critically wounded soldiers into an operating theatre.

Abby was by his side, seemingly ready to assist.

Simon, already stretched to the limits by taking on two surgeries, couldn’t handle the load alone.

Meanwhile, the other board-certified surgeons were still on their way back to the hospital.

Callie, though just a fifth-year surgical resident, had to step up.

Simon’s voice was grave as he addressed Callie, ‘Dr Hawthorne, you’ll have to do this without an attending surgeon. Can you handle it?’

‘I’ll have to, won’t I?’ Callie was already checking on the third soldier in critical condition, getting him prepped for surgery.

‘I’ll leave it to you, then.’ Simon jogged off towards the suite of operating theatres.

‘What about the fourth one?’ a nurse asked anxiously. ‘He won’t last long out here.’

The soldier was lying on a gurney.

One glance told Callie that he was suffering from penetrating thoracic trauma.

His chest and possibly his lungs were punctured by a sharp object, likely a projectile.

His breathing was becoming increasingly laboured.

‘Just keep him alive for as long as you can,’ Callie said to the nurse. ‘Control external bleeding, if any. Try emergency decompression if you see signs of a collapsed lung. I’ll come and get him after I’m done with my patient, or hopefully one of the other surgeons will have come back by then.’

Abby interjected, ‘Dr Hawthorne, there isn’t enough time to wait for either you or the other surgeons. We have to operate on him right now, or he dies. How about I take him?’

‘You?’ Callie felt her temples throbbing at Abby’s ridiculous request. ‘You are a first-year resident, practically just out of medical school.’

‘So what?’ Abby raised her chin. ‘You are a resident as well.’

‘I’m fifth year, and I’ve performed almost two hundred supervised surgeries. If I remember correctly, that number for you is…what, two, three? All I can recall is it’s a single digit.’

Abby opened her mouth, about to retort, but Callie cut her off. ‘Just stay here and keep an eye on Number Four. Monitor his condition. Stop the bleeding. Administer pain relief if needed. And I hope you still remember how to perform an emergency decompression. Brief the other surgeons once they’ve arrived.’

Then she dashed off into Operating Theatre Two, where patient Number Three was already prepped and waiting.

Abby shot a venomous glare at Callie’s back.

How dare that woman call her incompetent?

And in front of so many other people?

She was the hospital director’s daughter.

So what if she was just a first-year resident?

She practically grew up in a house full of doctors!

She’d show that woman that age and experience meant nothing!

Abby scoffed, turning to the nurse by her side, Wendy, and ordered brusquely, ‘Fetch me a set of scrubs. I’ll perform Number Four’s surgery.’

‘Um, Dr Colman, Dr Hawthorne explicitly said that...’ Wendy, aware of Abby’s position as the director’s daughter, tried to reason with her. ‘You can’t perform the surgery without the permission of a supervising surgeon.’

‘I can’t?’ Abby sneered, her tone laced with derision. ‘Wendy, do you even know what you’re talking about? If I say I’ll do it, then I will. I’ll take full responsibility for the operation. Enough with your nonsense, come and assist me.’

As a seasoned nurse, Wendy understood the impropriety of the situation, but then, she had limited power compared to Abby, who could get her fired with just one phone call to Director Colman.

Reluctantly, she helped Abby change into a set of scrubs, and they entered the third operating theatre together.

Abby confidently took charge of the surgery on the anesthetised soldier.

To her, the emergency thoracotomy wasn’t that challenging.

Though she had not personally performed one before, she had watched plenty of training footage.

With a scalpel, she made a midline incision on the patient’s chest wall, then gained entry into the thoracic cavity with a pair of retractors.

She evaluated the lung injuries, deemed them to be manageable, and confirmed her suspicion that Callie’s denial of her request to perform the surgery stemmed purely from personal bias.

She was doing fine, wasn’t she?

Wendy stood by her side, watching with bated breath, handing her the necessary instruments as they were needed.

The surgery progressed relatively smoothly.

Despite some minor flaws, Abby managed to stop the internal bleeding and repair the lung lacerations.

However, just as Wendy began to relax, bright red blood squirted from the patient’s open chest, splattering onto Abby’s face and hands.

Abby gasped, feeling the warmth of the blood against her skin despite the protection of the mask.

The patient’s face rapidly turned pallid, his breath growing shallow and rasp-filled.

‘Dr Colman!’ Wendy’s voice trembled as she observed the alarming drop in the patient’s vital signs on the monitor. ‘His blood pressure is plummeting! Heart rate’s spiking! He’s in severe tachycardia! We have to stop the bleeding!’

Chapter 5 Medical Mishap

‘Shut up! Shut up! I know!’ Panic washed over Abby as she futilely attempted to staunch the unrelenting flow of blood with surgical sponges, then suction devices.

The bright red colour of the blood meant she must have nicked an artery somewhere, but with so much blood flooding his chest cavity, it was hard to identify the exact location of the leak.

‘Sh*t, sh*t, sh*t!’ Abby’s hands shook violently.

Her confidence had misled her into believing this surgery would be a breeze.

Disregarding Callie’s warning, she had taken matters into her own hands, operating without proper authorisation.

And now, everything had spiralled out of control.

Not only had she violated the hospital’s rules, but she had also caused a medical mishap.

To make matters worse, the patient lying before her was a soldier.

What if he died on the operating table?

The weight of the consequences pressed upon her, leaving her paralysed with fear.

Her trembling hands failed to halt the bleeding, rendering her helpless.

Wendy, though just as flustered, knew she couldn’t afford to panic.

She tried to keep her voice steady as she admonished Abby, ‘Dr Colman, this is not the time to freeze. The patient’s going to bleed to death if you don’t do something!’

‘I... I...’ Abby’s voice wavered, her distress seeping through her words. ‘I... I don’t know. What should I do?’

Wendy swore under her breath and fought the urge to shake some sense into the young woman.

Abby was the doctor here, even if she was just a first-year resident.

If she didn’t know what to do, what hope was there for a nurse like Wendy?

But Abby was clearly incapable of acting right now.

Wendy shoved her aside, used suction devices to remove excess blood and fluid from the patient’s chest cavity and tried to locate the bleeding source.

But there was simply too much blood.

And even if she did find it, she’d need a surgeon to help stop the bleeding.

Abby stood by the side, watching helplessly.

Wendy shot her a glare of frustration before hurrying off to Operating Theatre Two.

She shouted into the intercom. ‘Dr Hawthorne! We need you in Theatre Three!’

Callie was drenched in sweat, having just closed the patient’s pericardium with absorbable sutures and the chest incision with surgical staples.

She was about to place drains to evacuate any fluid or blood that may accumulate postoperatively.

Continuing her work and without looking up, she asked, ‘What?’

‘Dr Colman performed the emergency thoracotomy alone. Midway through the operation, the patient started haemorrhaging profusely. He’s in tachycardia, and none of his vital signs looks promising.’

Callie’s movements momentarily faltered, but within seconds, she recovered and picked up her pace. ‘Wendy, prepare for a blood transfusion immediately. I’ll be there in three minutes.’

‘Dr Colman, that’s the other problem! The patient is blood type A, MNSSU. We don’t have that in our blood bank. And compatibility test with blood types A or O takes time.’ Wendy’s voice was hoarse from shouting. ‘As far as I know, you’re the only one in this hospital with that exact blood type.’

Callie bit her lip, her grip tightening around the chest drain tube. ‘Is Dr Moncrieff available?’

‘No. I looked into Theatre One. He’s just getting started on patient Number Two.’

Which meant Callie had to do both: treat the patient and donate blood.

There was a flicker of unwavering resolve in her almond-shaped eyes as she repeated herself, ‘Wendy, I’ll be there in three minutes. Set up the transfusion pump. As soon as I find and close the bleeding site, we’ll do the transfusion.’

‘But Dr Hawthorne—’

‘Go. Now!’

With that, she shut out Wendy’s protests, diving back into her patient’s care.

Abby’s disregard for her instructions and unauthorised surgery had caught Callie off guard.

But this was no time for pointing fingers.

That would come later.

Callie picked up her pace once more, closed the incision site, then left instructions for the surgical nurse to apply sterile dressing before darting out of Operating Theatre Two into the adjacent Theatre Three.

She scrubbed up and stormed into the theatre.

‘Is the blood pump ready?’ she asked Wendy, not sparing a glance at Abby, who stood frozen to the spot.

‘All set.’

With Wendy’s help, Callie examined the patient’s chest cavity, gently manipulating the surrounding tissues and structures to identify the injured artery.

It took her about twenty seconds to find the bleeding spot.

With a pair of vascular clamps, she clamped down on the artery until there was no more blood seeping out.

Then she sutured the artery with a curved surgical needle.

Once haemostasis was achieved, she relaxed slightly.

She turned to Wendy. ‘Let’s do the transfusion.’

She sat on a stool and rolled up her sleeve. ‘Let’s do 300cc first.’

‘Got it.’

Wendy drew Callie’s blood with practised ease, collected it into a sterile canister, then processed it in the blood salvage machine to separate the red blood cells from other fluids.

Once separated, the red blood cells were washed with a sterile solution to remove any contaminants, then filtered to get rid of any remaining impurities or clots.

Finally, it was transferred to a blood bag and immediately administered to the patient with a transfusion line and a blood filter.

Throughout the process, Callie kept her eyes on the monitor, observing the patient’s vital stats.

They had stabilised somewhat, but his systolic blood pressure and oxygen saturation level were still dangerously low.

‘Draw another 500cc,’ she said to Wendy, who did as told.

‘Another 300cc,’ Callie said after the second transfusion was done. ‘His oxygen saturation level is still below ninety per cent.’

The nurse sighed when she noted Callie’s increasingly pallid face, but she carried out the order without protest.

It wasn’t until the patient’s oxygen saturation level was brought back up to a healthy 98% that Callie finally stopped.

She rose to her feet, swayed and saw black dots swimming in front of her eyes.

Chapter 6 Well-deserved Slap

Wendy shot out an arm to steady her. ‘Are you all right?’

Callie blinked away the black dots. ‘I’m fine. Just needed a sec.’

Her entire left arm felt numb, like she had a dead tree branch attached to her body.

Enduring the weird sensation, Callie removed her mask with her right hand and walked towards the door. ‘Wendy, let me know if anything changes.’

‘Will do, Dr Hawthorne.’

Callie beckoned at Abby, who had not made a sound since she entered the operating theatre. ‘You. Come with me.’

Abby hesitated, her expression a mix of fear and defiance.

But she had no choice but to follow Callie out of the room.

Wendy shook her head as she watched the two women leave.

Though both were surgical residents, in her mind, only one of them could be called a doctor.

As they stepped into an empty hallway, Abby braced herself for a dressing-down. ‘I was only trying to—’

Smack!

Before she could finish her sentence, Callie’s right hand connected solidly with Abby’s cheek, leaving a fiery mark behind.

The sharp sound of the slap reverberated through the hallway.

Abby recoiled, her hand flying to her stinging cheek.

The pain mirrored the shock on her face as she stared at Callie, disbelief written all over her features. ‘You...Did you just hit me?’

Callie stood tall, her eyes blazing with a fire that couldn’t be extinguished. ‘Did you not listen to a word I said? You could’ve killed the patient!’

Abby, her tears welling up, mustered a feeble defence. ‘But he didn’t die, did he?’

‘No thanks to you.’ Callie sneered.

Abby bit her trembling lower lip. ‘Fine, I made a mistake! But that doesn’t give you the right to hit me! You are not my superior! You are just a resident!’

‘Senior resident,’ Callie reminded her.

‘But you still work for my father. He owns this hospital!’ Abby seethed. ‘What do you think he’ll say if he finds out you hit me?’

‘What do you think he’ll say if he finds out you almost killed a patient?’ Callie shot back. ‘A soldier no less?’

Abby couldn’t find a reply to that sharp remark.

So she changed the topic. ‘You just have it in for me because you are jealous! You picked on me because your boyfriend chose me over you! This is revenge!’

Callie’s eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin.

She wasn’t about to let Abby’s words deflect from the real issue. ‘I couldn’t care less if you’re the director’s daughter or my ex-boyfriend’s new squeeze or the queen of the universe. You deserved that slap, and you’ll deserve more than a slap if you keep repeating stupid mistakes like the ones you made today.’

Before Abby could react further, a familiar figure emerged from Operating Theatre One.

Simon, fresh out of two back-to-back surgeries, approached with weary steps.

His gaze flickered between Callie and Abby, sensing the tension in the air.

‘Abby, what happened?’ he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

His protective instincts kicked in as he noticed the red mark on Abby’s cheek. ‘Did Callie do this to you?’

Abby, tears streaming down her face, nodded pitifully. ‘My face hurts!’

Simon turned to Callie, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He couldn’t fathom why she would resort to violence. ‘Callie, why did you hit Abby?’

‘Why don’t you ask her why I did it?’

Simon looked at Abby, who averted her eyes.

He turned back to Callie, scowling. ‘Even if she did something wrong, violence isn’t the answer!’

Callie, physically and emotionally drained from the exhausting surgeries and the blood loss she had endured, inhaled deeply.

She hadn’t slapped Abby because the woman had taken Simon away from her, but because Abby’s irresponsible actions had put a patient’s life in jeopardy.

Yet, Simon jumped straight to Abbey’s defence without even bothering to find out why.

Callie couldn’t believe this was the man who had been with her for three years, who’d made the most solemn vows to her.

‘Dr Moncrieff, I did slap her. And I’d have done a lot worse if the patient had died.’

‘What patient?’ Simon scowled.

‘Why don’t you ask her?’ Callie turned away. ‘Go comfort your precious girlfriend. Just make sure she never sets foot in the operating theatre again!’

She left before Simon could see the tears welling up in her eyes.

The pain of being admonished by Simon, who seemed more concerned about Abby’s face than the truth, hurt worse than the blood draw.

Callie couldn’t help but wonder: what about the three years they’d spent together?

She had placed her trust in Simon, not just as a colleague but also as a boyfriend, believing that they would eventually build a future together.

Even if their breakup led her to revise her opinion of him as a man, she never doubted his professional integrity.

Simon was a competent doctor.

Yet, it was obvious that he didn’t have the same faith in her.

Tears blurred Callie’s vision, making everything before her appear hazy.

Under a brave facade, her heart throbbed with pain as if it had been ripped in half.

She hurriedly walked with her head down, not wanting anyone to witness her sorrow and disarray.

Lost in her thoughts, she collided with a man at the corner, her face taking the brunt of the impact as she stumbled backwards.

Just as Callie thought she was about to crash onto the ground, a pair of strong arms caught her waist, saving her from the fall.

She found herself leaning into a man’s comforting embrace, feeling a warmth in her ear as his breath brushed against her skin.

Blinking, Callie mumbled, ‘Um, sorry. And thank you.’

She looked up and stared into a pair of deep, unfathomable eyes.

‘We meet again.’ Elias’s lips curved slightly.

He hadn’t anticipated running into her here; a pleasant surprise amidst a hectic and tragic day.

‘Um.’ Callie blinked away her tears, her gaze fixated on Elias, trying to place the familiar face.

Then her eyes widened with recognition and surprise. ‘It’s you!’

Chapter 7 Beautiful and Deadly

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.

Chapter 8 Recipe for Disaster

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 Callie’s hand.

Elias, his brows furrowed with concern, shot Wendy a stern glance. ‘Seriously, nurse? You should know how to handle this situation.’

Wendy covered her mouth, her eyes wide with astonishment as she watched Elias embrace Callie protectively.

His voice dripped with annoyance, tinged with an underlying worry.

The man cared, that much was obvious.

Pulling herself together, Wendy found her voice. ‘Right, follow me.’

Elias scooped Callie up effortlessly, his strong arms cradling her gently as he followed Wendy’s lead.

The trio made their way through the hallways of Rosedale Hospital, Elias’s powerful strides matching Wendy’s hurried steps.

***

The sterile white room hummed with the soft sound of medical equipment.

Callie’s eyes fluttered open, and she found herself lying on a hospital bed.

The scent of disinfectant filled her nostrils, and she noticed the IV needle secured to her arm, administering a mixture of saline and glucose.

She sat up, feeling exhausted and disoriented, her head throbbing.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Nurse Wendy hurried over, placing a pillow behind Callie’s back. ‘Easy there. You fainted, remember?’

Callie rubbed her temples, trying to recall the events that led to her current predicament. ‘Fainted? But why?’

Wendy removed the IV needle carefully and tended to the puncture on Callie’s hand.

She scolded Callie gently, ‘You shouldn’t have been moving about after donating so much blood.’

A sigh escaped Callie’s lips as she leaned back against the pillow. ‘I guess I pushed myself too far. Two surgeries and donating blood—it was a recipe for disaster.’

Wendy nodded, her face etched with a mix of admonishment and concern. ‘Girl, you should know better. Your blood sugar must have tanked after all that. Seriously, as a doctor, you should take better care of yourself. If Lieutenant Colonel Westwood hadn’t caught you in time, you’d have bashed your head against the floor.’

‘Lieutenant Colonel Westwood?’ Callie muttered the name.

‘Yeah, Elias Westwood, that’s him! A commander in the Special Forces,’ Wendy answered casually. ‘The soldiers admitted here earlier are his men. And let me tell you, he’s got quite the high rank. You should’ve seen the way Director Colman fawned all over him.’

Wendy rolled her eyes. ‘But our director never said a word about the medical mishap his precious daughter caused earlier. Almost killed one of the soldiers when she nicked the wrong artery during surgery.’

Callie let out a resigned sigh. ‘Let’s not dwell on that. The important thing is that the soldier survived. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let it slide.’

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation, and Callie beckoned the person inside.

It was none other than Elias Westwood himself, striding into the room with an air of commanding confidence.

Callie’s grip tightened involuntarily around Wendy’s hand, nerves fluttering in her stomach.

Wendy withdrew her hand with a playful wink. ‘Dr Hawthorne, you have no idea how worried Lieutenant Colonel Westwood was about you. I thought he might explode with anger if anything happened to you. I’ll leave you two to chat. Rest up, Callie!’

With a knowing smile, Wendy discreetly slipped away, leaving Callie and Elias alone in the hospital room.

Elias closed the distance between them, his steps deliberate and purposeful.

With a low, almost whispered voice, he uttered a heartfelt ‘Thank you.’

Callie, taken aback, furrowed her brows. ‘Thank me? For what?’

‘For saving my men.’

Not only did she step up and perform the surgeries, she gave her own blood to one of his soldiers who otherwise might not have made it.

‘Oh, that.’ Callie shrugged. ‘You don’t have to thank me. I’m a doctor. It’s my job to save the patients in any way I can.’

Elias’s gaze softened, his eyes lingering on her calm expression, his mind wandering back to the image of her tear-stained face.

This woman, who shed tears for others with such sadness, treated herself with such ruthless disregard.

It stirred an uncomfortable feeling within him.

‘Why did you cry?’ Elias’s voice held a trace of coldness, tinged with a flicker of anger. ‘Just because of the man who betrayed you?’

Callie’s fingers tightened around the glass of water, a flicker of pain flashing through her puffy eyes.

She had always clutched her emotions tightly, not wanting anyone else to witness her sorrow and amplify her misery.

Yet, this man kept barging into places where he had no right to be.

‘I didn’t cry! I didn’t!’ Callie’s voice rose, her eyes welling up with tears once again.

She couldn’t understand why her eyes stung and tears flowed so easily.

‘What’s the big deal with crying anyway? It’s none of your business!’ Tears streamed down Callie’s face as she defiantly confronted Elias.

His irritation grew as he stared at the tears on her face, a maddening sensation overpowering his reasoning.

It made him want to shatter the fragile vulnerability of this woman standing before him.

In a sudden burst of anger, Elias seized the glass from Callie’s hand and set it down on the bedside table with a loud thud.

Callie, startled, glared at him.

Elias’s hands closed in around her, his long legs pressing against hers, trapping her against the bed.

It was a stark contrast to their previous encounter, where he was the one lying in bed and she the one standing.

Chapter 9 Peculiar Proposal

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.

Chapter 10 Blind Date

‘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.’

Simon nodded earnestly. ‘You have my word, Mr Colman. Abby’s growth as a doctor is important to me, and I’ll do everything in my power to guide her.’

Stuart sighed, a mix of concern and resignation evident in his voice. ‘Abby, I hope you understand the seriousness of your mistake. Your future as a doctor rests on your ability to learn from it. Do not disappoint me.’

Abby, chastened by her father’s words, nodded solemnly.

Stuart had always been sceptical of Simon and Callie’s past relationship, but now, as he watched Simon passionately defend Abby, he felt a sense of relief wash over him.

‘Simon, I must say, your loyalty to Abby is commendable,’ Stuart said, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. ‘I have no doubt that you will take excellent care of her. And if you continue to perform well, the future here at Rosedale Hospital looks bright for you.’

Simon’s eyes sparkled behind his stylish gold-rimmed glasses as he soaked in Stuart’s words.

This was the moment he had been waiting for.

The position of director was within reach, and marrying Abby would provide him with the fastest path to the top.

He knew he had to play his cards right.

‘Thank you, Mr Colman,’ Simon replied, his voice dripping with calculated charm. ‘I assure you, I’ll give my utmost dedication both as a doctor and as Abby’s husband. Rosedale Hospital has been my home, and I’m determined to contribute to its success.’

Abby, her cheeks flushed with happiness, intertwined her fingers with Simon’s, relishing in her father’s approval.

She had always been daddy’s little princess, and this validation meant the world to her.

Stuart leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting between Abby and Simon.

His mind danced with thoughts of the future, his cunning and self-serving nature beginning to take shape.

He had long contemplated retirement and leaving his prestigious position as director in capable hands.

Now, with Simon’s ambition aligning with his own desires, he saw a golden opportunity.

‘You know, Simon, I’ve been considering my future here at Rosedale,’ Stuart mused, tapping his fingers on the desk. ‘When the time comes for me to step down, I believe you have what it takes to lead this institution. I’m confident that you can continue the legacy I’ve built.’

Simon’s eyes widened with excitement, though he tried to maintain a composed facade.

He had always yearned for power and recognition, and the prospect of becoming the director of Rosedale Hospital was a dream come true.

He nodded eagerly, his mind already plotting his ascent to the top.

‘Mr Colman, your faith in me means the world,’ Simon replied, his voice oozing with sincerity. ‘I won’t let you down. I’ll ensure that Rosedale Hospital thrives under my leadership and that Abby’s happiness remains my top priority.’

Abby’s heart swelled with pride, her love for Simon blinding her to the ulterior motives that swirled beneath the surface.

She had always admired his ambition and determination, believing that he would always put her first.

Stuart returned Abby’s smile, a glimmer of satisfaction dancing in his eyes.

His plan was falling into place, and the future looked promising.

***

Callie took a deep breath as she entered the café, her heart pounding with anticipation.

This blind date, set up by her friend Lily, had her feeling a mixture of reluctance and nerves.

She glanced at her watch and realised she was running late, leaving her no time to freshen up after her long day at the hospital.

She hoped her casual attire wouldn’t be a deal-breaker.

Scanning the room, Callie’s eyes landed on a man sitting in a corner booth.

He matched the photo Lily had sent her earlier—a gentleman with dark, tousled hair and a sharp jawline.

She approached the booth and offered a warm smile.

‘Hi, I’m Callie,’ she greeted, extending her hand.

The man made a noncommittal sound, not bothering to look up from his laptop screen.

Callie’s surprise flickered across her face, but she quickly composed herself.

She took a seat across from him, deciding to wait patiently for his attention.

Ordering an iced coffee, Callie tried to ease her nerves by savouring the cool beverage.

The café buzzed with conversation around them, but the man remained engrossed in his work.

It wasn’t until Callie was nearing the end of her drink that he finally closed his laptop, breaking the silence.

‘Sorry about that. I tend to get carried away when I’m working,’ he offered a perfunctory apology, his eyes meeting Callie’s briefly.

She sensed the insincerity in his tone but decided not to dwell on it.

Instead, she maintained her polite demeanour, brushing it off with a smile. ‘No worries. We all have our moments. I hope you’re not too swamped with work now.’

The man, Joshua Faulkner, introduced himself and wasted no time in getting to the point. ‘As your friend may have told you, I am the legal counsel for several multinational corporations. In our line of work, “Time is money” is more than just a saying. I hope you don’t mind if we skip the pleasantries.’

‘As a doctor, I can appreciate that sentiment,’ Callie said.

‘Good, let’s not beat around the bush,’ Joshua said, leaning back in his seat. ‘I’m not just looking for a casual fling. I want a wife. So, I hope you don’t mind if I ask a few questions to see if you fit the bill.’