Chapter 4

Andrea:

The next day, I was summoned to the hospital even though I already packed my belongings. Nicholas Smith— the director of the hospital and the father of Olivia Smith stood in front of the conference room, scanning us all with his wide eyes.

My initial expression with this man was not pleasant, the first day I walked into the hospital, he assumed I was a receptionist and not a surgeon! I can't wait to get this over with so I can get the hell out of here.

I sat in the back of the conference room, arms crossed, watching Director Nicholas Smith smile like he owned every brick in the hospital.

They were supposed to do the morning meeting roundabout, case reviews and scheduling updates but instead Nicholas cleared his throat and announced, “I’m pleased to introduce my daughter, Dr. Olivia Smith. She’ll be joining the surgical department starting today.”

What? This was supposed to be a joke, right? Olivia Smith couldn't join the surgery department, she barely had any experience at all.

Nicholas started to drone on about how she trained in one of the top hospitals in the state. She just stood there, nodding her head, but avoiding looking me in the eye.

"Thank you so much everyone, I'm really glad that I'm joining the surgery department, I won't let any one down." She said, bowing. A round of applause filled the whole room.

When the meeting ended, she walked straight to the nurses’ station and asked for my patient list.

“I’ll be taking over your current cases,” she said, voice light, almost bored. “Director’s orders. Smooth transition.”

I didn't care, this was her decision and besides, I was leaving the hospital. Whatever happens falls on her hands.

I handed her the files without a word. She flipped through them, pausing on bed three. Mrs. Langley. Sixty-two. Gallbladder issues, and two previous abdominal surgeries, heavy scar tissue, adhesions everywhere. I’d spent three days mapping the risks.

Olivia skimmed the chart and gave a little laugh. “It’s a gallbladder surgery. How hard could it possibly be?”

I fixed my gaze on her. “Bed three isn’t your average gallbladder surgery. She’s had two abdominal operations before. There’s a lot of scar tissue in there. This isn’t a standard procedure.” As a surgeon, I always ensured I did everything right, and not treat the patients' case as something that's easily dismissible.

She closed the file, her tone hardening. “Are you doubting my skills, Dr. Williams?”

“I’m reminding you about the risks.” I kept my chin held up high.

Olivia smiled. “Relax. I trained at the top hospitals in the capital. I can handle a little thing like this.”

A little thing? I could only hope for the patient, this type of surgery required intense care.

Kane came into view, I didn't even know that he had been standing a few steps away, listening to our conversations. He stood near Olivia while frowning. "I’ll take over bed three."

In a flash, Nicholas was in front of us, and he didn't look happy. "Kane, Olivia needs a chance. You can’t shield her from everything."

"I am not shielding her from anything." Kane gritted his teeth, avoiding eye contact with me.

I pushed the remaining files toward her. “Since you’re so confident, Dr. Smith, go ahead and sign off on the transfer.”

She picked up the pen and wrote her name carefully.

I walked away before I said something I couldn’t take back. Diane caught up with me in the hallway, coffee in hand, worry already written across her face.

“Are you okay?” she asked quietly. She knew how tough this whole thing was for me and at that moment, I was grateful for having someone who stuck around.

“I’m fine.” I said, Diane raised her brows, she certainly knew that I was lying but thankfully, she didn't push further, she just stepped forward and squeezed my hand as an indication that it was all going to be alright.

By late afternoon, I received a call that Mrs. Langley’s vitals had tanked. Elevated white count, rising fever, pain out of proportion. The ER doctor had flagged it as urgent. Olivia had written “stable, monitor” and moved on.

I was reviewing charts in the office when Mrs. Langley’s son stormed in and slammed a set of lab results on the desk.

“Normal?” His voice shook with pure rage. “The ER doctor said it’s dangerous and needs to be re-evaluated right now. Are you qualified to be a doctor?”

The entire room went silent. Every resident, every nurse and every attendant turned to look.

Olivia stepped forward, her face darkening. “Watch your tone. This is a hospital, not a market.”

It only seemed to piss off the man even more. “My mom was perfectly fine this morning, but everything went wrong as soon as you took over. I’m filing a complaint against you.”

Nicholas appeared in the doorway like he’d been waiting for the chance. He glared at the family member. “What’s all this noise? You’re disrupting the hospital. Where’s security?”

The son pointed straight at Olivia. “So your Director’s protecting his own, huh? Fine. I’m calling the cops.”

“Don't call the cops.” Nicholas gritted his teeth hard, glaring at the man. “This is an issue that can be easily fixed.” His gaze turned straight to Olivia.

The facade in Olivia's face cracked and she turned to Kane helplessly “Kane, can you take a look at this?”

Kane picked up the results, his expression tightening as he read the documents in his hand. From the look on his face, even I knew that this was dire.

Nicholas recovered first. He turned on me. “Kane, the handover was incomplete. You left critical notes out. This is on you. It's your fault.” Of course, the director was going to find a way to pin it all on me. I almost laughed except what was happening right now was not funny.

I stared at him. “I documented every risk. The scar tissue, the previous surgeries, the elevated inflammatory markers. It’s all in the chart.”

Olivia cut in, her voice high-pitched. “You rushed the transfer. You wanted me to fail.” Why would I want her to fail? Surely, she must not think that everyone was like her.

“I wanted the patient safe.” I said. I could feel my wolf starting to claw at me, but I tried to shove it down.

Not now. Not now. I could see that Olivia was growing restless too, it seemed her wolf too was surging.

Nicholas looked at me with disdain. “Dr. William is suspended pending review. Effective immediately. You will not enter the operating rooms until further notice.”

The words felt like a slap, everyone's eyes turned towards me immediately. Diane stepped forward, but I shook my head. He can't just suspend me just like that, right?

Right?

Mrs. Langley’s son looked between us, then locked onto me. "I don’t care about your politics. I want Dr. Williams in that OR. She knows my mother’s history. She’s the only one who’s been honest."

Nicholas blocked my path when I stood. “Andrea, you’re not authorized to enter the operating room right now.” Olivia was looking at me with pure disdain. It wasn't my fault, I already warned her about what would happen but she didn't listen.

The family member shoved past him without hesitation. “I’ll sign the consent. I only want Dr. Williams.”

Nicholas’ face went pale, and Olivia frowned.

Kane looked at me, his tone final. "Andrea comes in with me. She knows the anatomy better than anyone here. That’s final." Unfortunately, he didn't leave any room for debate and so the only thing people could do was murmur.

After changing into my scrubs, Kane stood in the doorway while I washed my hands.

“Andrea,” he said quietly. “Once this surgery is done, I’ll have the hospital reinstate you.”

I didn’t look at him. “No need.”

“Still mad at me?”

Mad? Was he seriously asking me if I was mad when he was already engaged and mated to another woman? I almost laughed in pain. I couldn't believe that there was a time in my life where I actually loved this man.

If someone asked me years ago if I liked him, I would have laughed and said: "Like? This man is my entire world, and one day, we are going to mate and have pups of our own!"

The only thing I could do now was hope foolishly.

I kept scrubbing. “Chief Miller, let’s keep it professional before surgery.”

"But, Andrea—" His face twisted in agony, but I am not falling for any of that. Our love was already tainted, there was no going back.

"Please," I kept my face neutral, but my insides were ripping apart. I could feel my wolf agonizing, it was an entirely different pain detaching from someone who you would have taken a bullet for. "Let's just get this surgery over with. Please."

He nodded his head. "Alright, if that's what you want."