Chapter 4 0004.

Camilla's POV

"Make sure he gets 10 milligrams of morphine every four hours for the pain," I sat behind my desk with my hands trembling slightly as I instructed one of the nurses on the dosage of the medication Lawrence would need when he woke up

"And don't forget to check his vitals regularly."

The nurse nodded, scribbling down my instructions on a small notepad.

"Got it, Dr. Wilmer. Anything else I should know?"

I shook my head, rubbing my temples to ward off the headache threatening to consume me.

"That should be all for now. Just keep an eye on him and let me know if there are any changes."

The nurse nodded before hurrying off to carry out my orders. As I watched her go, my mind raced with a thousand thoughts, thoughts that ended with decisions.

With a weary sigh, I pushed myself away from the desk and made my way to Andrew's office to submit my resignation letter.

The weight of the decision hung heavy on my heart, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I couldn't stay here, not with Lawrence as the new director of the clinic. His presence will always bring a constant reminder of the pain and betrayal I had tried to endure for four years.

And I have promised Raymond to join him abroad immediately Lawrence comes back into my life, he knows about what happened between me and Lawrence so it was best I keep to my promise.

As I entered Andrew's office, his surprised expression quickly turned into one of gratitude and admiration.

"Camilla!" he exclaimed, rising from his seat behind the desk. "You did a really good job. You saved Director Lawrence's life; you know?"

I nodded with a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips despite the heaviness in my heart.

"I did what anyone would have done," I said even though I couldn't deny the swell of pride at Andrew's praise.

He gestured for me to take a seat and continued with his eyes still filled with gratitude.

"You're a hero, Camilla," he said sincerely. "We're lucky to have you on our team."

But his praise only served to reinforce my decision as I handed him the resignation letter. I could feel my hands trembling slightly with nerves. "I'm quitting, Andrew," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can't stay here anymore, I feel it's time to move on"

Andrew's brow furrowed in concern as he read the letter. His expression then shifted from gratitude to disbelief.

"Camilla, you can't be serious," he protested.

"You're our best doctor, our head of pediatrics. We need you here, especially now with Lawrence recovering. You should be in charge of him."

I wanted to tell him the reason why I was quitting, Lawrence, but I couldn't. I simply shook my head stubbornly.

"I'm really sorry but I got a better job offer with better pay abroad," I said.

"We can increase your pay if you want. You are already my deputy here if not I would have offered you more promotion. Please you don't have to quit now we need you. The director needs the best doctor which is you," he remained adamant with accepting my resignation.

"I wish it is something I can actually reconsider but I can't. I have my personal reasons," I protested, refusing to change my mind.

At my reply, Dr Andrew's countenance changed and he brought out a document.

"I didn't want to do this but you leave me with no choice Dr Camilla," he said and pushed the document to me.

I checked it and found out it was the agreement I signed with the hospital when I got the job. I was to work with them on a contract for ten years, and anything which makes me ask to resign before the ten years expire, I will pay a huge fine- Ten million dollars.

My heart stopped when I remembered the agreement. Instantly, I knew that my plan of running away was now abortive because it wouldn't work anymore. I am left with no choice than to face Lawrence.

Andrew sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Dr Camilla, I never wanted to do this but I couldn't bear you abandoning us now we need you."

"Also think about the hospital, about the patients who rely on you. You can't just abandon them like this."

"Okay, I think I will have to follow my agreement with the hospital," I announced and I saw a sigh of relief wash down Dr Andrew's face.

"I'm sorry Dr Camilla," he apologized.

I couldn't say anything in reply. With that, I turned and left the office.

Getting to the hallway, I found myself face to face with a group of familiar patients waiting for the normal monthly check up.

Their hopeful eyes met mine, filled with trust and gratitude, and suddenly, something inside me shifted.

"Dr. Wilmer!" one of them exclaimed, a bright smile lighting up her face.

"Thank you for everything you've done for us. You're the best doctor we've ever had!"

I felt a lump form in my throat as their words washed over me, a surge of emotion welling up within me.

Despite how I wanted to get away from being entangled with Lawrence again that moment, these patients reminded me of why I had become a doctor in the first place – to help others, to make a difference in their lives.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I looked at each of them, their gratitude filling me with a sense of purpose I hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe Dr Andrew was right.

Maybe I couldn't just abandon them like this.

Then I made a drastic decision.

Since I have changed my mind to stay, I had to do something else, which is keeping my children hidden. Thankfully none of the hospital staff know I have children. I never mentioned them because I had always wanted them to be a secret.

I returned home, packed a few items for George and Mira, and drove them straight to my younger sister's place in another town. I entrusted them in her care with the hope that Lawrence wouldn't know about their whereabouts.

Back at the hospital, I headed to Lawrence's ward to check up on him.

As I adjusted the drip, his eyes fluttered open.

He tried to move, but he whispered as a sharp pain shot through his side.

"Camilla," he whispered when he saw me.

"Is that really you?"

I nodded, unable to meet his gaze as I busied myself with adjusting the IV drip beside his bed.

"Yes, Lawrence, it's me," I replied softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

I tried to slip away unnoticed, but his hand shot out and caught mine, holding me in place.

"Please, Camilla," he pleaded, his eyes pleading with me to listen. "I need to talk to you."

I shook my head as I pulled away from him.

"There's nothing left to say," I said bitterly.

"You made your choice, Lawrence. Now you have to live with the consequences."

But he refused to give up. His hands were closing around mine with a desperate grip.

"Camilla, please," he pleaded. "I know I messed up, but I want to make things right. Is it a son or a daughter? I want to be a part of our child's life."

I stared at him in disbelief, my heart aching with the impossible choice he was asking me to make.

"You don't get back into my life whenever it's convenient for you," I said, my voice trembling with emotion. "And besides there is no child anywhere."

I watched as his eyes widened in shock, his gaze searching mine for some semblance of truth. "But I found the pregnancy device in the bedroom, indicating you were pregnant."

"It's true," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper as I struggled to keep my emotions in check. "But... I aborted the baby. I never wanted to have anything to do with you. Keeping the pregnancy will always remind me of you" I lied.

Lawrence's expression softened with understanding as he reached out to me. He was able to decipher that I was not truthful.

"Camilla, you don't have to lie to me," he murmured, his voice filled with compassion.

"I know you're hurting. But please, let me make things right."

But I couldn't bear to listen to empty promises "It's too late, Lawrence. The day I terminated the pregnancy was the day I vowed never to have anything to do with you ever again," I whispered brokenly.

"I'm engaged now. I'm moving on with my life, with someone who actually deserves my love."

With trembling fingers, I raised my hand and showed him my engagement finger. As Lawrence's eyes fell upon the ring, a flicker of confusion crossed his brows.

"Engaged?" he repeated with disbelief.

"Since when?"

I swallowed hard, my throat feeling dry as I struggled to find the words. "Since... since recently," I stammered "I... I met someone new."

Lawrence's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a mixture of sadness and regret as he took in my words.

"I'm so sorry, Camilla," he murmured with genuine remorse. "I should have trusted you. I also found out... about Clinton. About how he framed you, how he manipulated us both."

His confession sent a shiver down my spine, how could he have ever doubted me, doubted us?

But even as his words washed over me, I knew it was too late. Too late for forgiveness, too late for reconciliation.

"Well, it's too late now," I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper as I turned away from him. "I guess you'll be fine after all, but please... stay away from me."

And with that, I walked out the door, leaving Lawrence alone in the room with his words echoing in my ears.