I was expressionless as I strapped the oxygen mask over his nose and mouth, cutting off his incessant rambling. With the help of the other doctors, I wheeled him into a walking ambulance before tending to the next injured
person.
We didn’t stop working until the following night. It was late, and everyone was dizzy and exhausted after carrying out several major surgeries consecutively.
Aaron had gotten a large order of late–night takeout and left it in my office. The food was still warm when the doctors were done with their surgeries. I watched as my co–workers sipped on hot chowder, tired but relieved smiles lighting up their faces.
“Your fiancé’s a real keeper, Dr. Langston. It’s very nice of him to bring us takeout for two days in a row. This is the only time we actually got to eat the food, but please thank him for us,” one of the doctors said.
A rush of warmth seized me at the mention of Aaron.
I had only just taken two bites of food when a nurse barreled into my office, looking frantic. “Dr. Langston, could you check on the patient in Bed 16? He’s-”
I didn’t even stop to think about who the patient was before I set the takeout container aside and hurried to the ward. As I dashed down the corridor, I ordered the nurse to get ready for an emergency life–saving procedure.
I hurtled into the inpatient ward, only to meet Simon’s woeful gaze. My breath hitched.
“Olive, you haven’t come to see me in two days. Do I mean that little to you?” he whined. “I know I was wrong. Can you forgive me? I’ll treat you better from now on, I promise.”
The few major surgeries I had carried out left my knees weak, and I couldn’t help flying into a rage when I heard Simon’s words. I snapped, “Simon, this is the emergency ward! If you’re fine, kindly refrain from wasting precious medical resources!
“Also, I’m already in love with someone else, and our wedding’s in three days. Do not come to me and disturb my peace over your personal issues ever again!”
Simon stared at me steadily and said, “I refuse to believe that you’ve fallen for someone else. If you had, then why did you tend to me first when you arrived at the crash scene two days ago?”
I stood by his bedside and ground out with forced patience, Because a doctor’s priority is to save those who are heavily injured. I tended to you first because your injuries were critical.”
I glanced at his headboard and added, “Dr. Whitman is in charge of your case. Do not ever bother me again.” With that, I turned to leave.
Simon’s cry of despair rang out behind me. “No! You couldn’t have fallen for someone else! You must still love me! I’ll prove it somehow!”
I ignored him and continued forward.
