Chapter 6
I buried my face in the steering wheel, finally unable to hold back anymore, and broke down in tears.
I cried for the three years that were gone forever.
I cried for the version of myself who was once so humble, so crushed, so lost in the dust.
From now on, I was simply Isabella, no longer anyone's stand-in, no longer anyone's shadow.
*****
Back at the hospital, I threw myself into my work, pouring all my energy into it.
Keeping busy meant I didn't have the chance to get lost in my own thoughts.
The atmosphere in the department was kind of weird.
My colleagues were giving me sympathetic and nosy looks.
I didn't need to guess to know the Wilson family had done something.
With the way Harper is, it wouldn't surprise me if the whole hospital already thought I was the ungrateful, scheming woman who used her husband's family to climb up, only to kick them to the curb.
I couldn't care less about the rumors. People could say whatever they wanted. I couldn't control that. I needed to focus on my own life.
*****
That morning, the department held its regular meeting.
The department chief announced some big news. "Starting today, I'm officially retiring. Taking over my position is Professor Adrian Brooks, whom our hospital recruited from overseas with a high salary. Everyone, please give him a warm welcome."
The room erupted in applause.
I looked up and saw Adrian walk in, wearing a white lab coat.
He still had that polished, easygoing vibe, with a perfectly measured smile on his face.
He stepped up to the front, gave a quick intro, and immediately started assigning tasks.
His arrangements were clear and well-organized, with priorities clearly laid out. He was clearly the kind of person who acted swiftly and decisively.
I was honestly caught off guard. I didn't expect him to be our new department head.
Even more surprising, after the meeting, Adrian asked me to come to his office alone.
"Dr. Brown, please have a seat," he said.
His office was minimalist and spotless.
"Dr. Brooks, is there something you needed?" I asked, feeling a bit uneasy.
He poured me a glass of water and set it in front of me.
"No need to be so formal. Just call me Adrian," he said with a smile. "We don't have to stand on ceremony."
I froze. "Have we met before?"
He looked at me, his eyes showing a flicker of emotion I couldn't quite place. "Isabella, you really don't remember me?"
He used my real name, not the usual "Dr. Brown."
I stared at his face, searching for a clue. He looked oddly familiar. Bits and pieces of memories raced through my head.
I thought back to our college days. On campus, in the library, on the sports field, there he always was, a lean guy in a crisp white shirt.
My heart skipped a beat. "Are you Adrian?"
He was my senior in college and my ex.
Back in med school, we were the golden couple everyone envied. Then he went abroad for further studies, and the distance, along with a few misunderstandings, tore us apart.
Never in a million years did I expect that, after all this time, we'd cross paths again right here.
And now, he was my department head.
"You remembered," Adrian said, his eyes curving as he smiled.
"Long time no see," I replied, feeling awkward, unsure what to say next.
"Yeah, it's been a long time," he said, looking at me. "How have you been?"
I fell silent. I honestly had no idea how to answer that.
Saying I was fine would be lying to myself. But saying I wasn't would sound like I was being dramatic.