Chapter 3 0003

Hazel's pov

The constant beeping from my phone jolted me awake. My heart raced, and I blinked into the darkness, disoriented. My eyes darted around the room, trying to make sense of where I was. But then, I noticed it-the phone on the nightstand vibrating, its screen flashing with an incoming call.

I scrambled out of bed, my breath quickening as I grabbed the phone. The caller ID sent a chill down my spine. The senior surgeon. His calls had been relentless, and I had a sinking feeling this wasn't going to end well.

"Damn it," I muttered, tossing the phone aside as I scrambled out of bed.

With my eyes widened, I rushed to the bathroom, taking the quickest shower of my life. The cold water did little to soothe the anxiety building in my chest.

Though, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was spiraling out of control. "I'm so getting yelled at," I mumbled to myself, tying my hair into a loose bun.

And by the time I finished, I threw on my scrubs and rushed out of the room. But as I walked into the dining room, I stopped dead in my tracks.

The kids were already up, and Kelvin's gaze was fixed on me. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that made me uneasy.

"You're going back to the hospital?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with concern.

"Yeah," I muttered, grabbing a quick bite of the breakfast he'd prepared. "That crazy boss of mine has been calling nonstop. I'm going to be in so much trouble."

Kelvin didn't say much, but he pushed a cup of coffee and a piece of cake toward me. "You should eat something before you go. We don't need you fainting on us too."

I nodded gratefully, devouring the food in a few quick bites before kissing the kids goodbye and rushing out the door.

The whole situation felt like it was about to unravel, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something worse was coming.

However, the cab ride to the hospital was a blur as my thoughts kept returning to Jeremy. I wasn't ready to face him, but I had no choice. I had to do my job.

Finally, I arrived at the hospital, my nerves on edge. And as soon as I entered the doctor's office, the reprimand hit me like a slap to the face.

"What took you so long?!" the doctor barked.

"I'm sorry sir, i–"

"Nevermind," he rolled his eyes at me in disdain. "I'm just grateful we didn't lose the patient due to your incompetence."

Swallowing the anger rising in my chest I bit my lip as I knew he wasn't wrong. I had overslept, and it was my fault the patient had been left waiting.

"There's a patient assigned to you," the doctor continued, his tone softening. "The nurses have taken his samples, and the scans are done. You're up. Get to it."

I nodded quickly, rushing to the changing room to prepare. Though, my mind raced, but I shoved the thoughts aside. "Focus, Hazel. Just do your job."

I walked to the scanning room, putting on my mask. The moment I stepped inside, the doctor there called my name.

"Doctor Hazel, we've been waiting for you."

He handed me the scan results, and I scanned them quickly. My heart sank. This wasn't good, but it was treatable.

"Where's the patient?" I asked, my voice tight.

"In his ward," the doctor replied. "We've placed him near the ICU for monitoring. You should go check on him."

With that, I grabbed the results and headed toward the ward, my mind spinning. But nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I entered the room.

"Jeremy Blackwood?!" I gasped, my voice barely a whisper. My heart skipped a beat as I froze in place.

Jeremy's eyes met mine, and his face went pale. He opened his mouth as though to speak, but no words came out.

My mind raced. "What is he doing here?" I thought, panic flooding my chest. "Ethan could be anywhere. I need to leave."

I turned quickly, but Jeremy's voice stopped me.

"Hazel, please..."

I felt my stomach twist. I couldn't be the one to treat him. Not after everything that had happened.

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice shaking. "I can't do this."

"You're the only one who can help me," he said, his voice weak. "Please, Hazel my condition would grow worse. Don't let me die."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I wanted to walk away, but I couldn't. I couldn't ignore him, even after everything.

"He might be the father of the man who hurt me without......Gosh! I can't just leave him to death. I just can't, It would be a tarnish on my conscience,"

"Please, Hazel..." His voice broke through my thoughts, and I felt my resolve falter.

However, I stood there for a moment as my heart turned heavy. But I knew what I had to do. I couldn't be the one to treat him. Rather, I would supervise, but someone else would handle the work.

So, I turned to leave, but as I opened the door, I bumped into something hard causing the scan results slipping from my hands, scattering across the floor.

"The fuck!" I snapped, bending down to pick them up. "Watch where you're going!"

"I could say the same to you," a familiar voice retorted, causing my blood run cold.

And as I looked up, I froze, air leaving my lungs as I slowly straightened up. My eyes met his, instantly, my heart stopped.

"Ethan?" His expression mirrored my shock.

"Hazel?"