Chapter 5
Liam
I arrive at my apartment. Although furnished, it’s merely a place to sleep. I go to my room to drop off my things and look for clothes to change into, as I’m still wearing my wedding suit. The moment I said I wouldn’t marry her keeps replaying in my mind. I was stupid. I should have thought about the consequences of my refusal
When I finish changing, I throw myself on the bed. I’m not hungry, so I’ll just go to sleep. I’m supposed to be leaving for my honeymoon at this hour, but here I am, alone and hated by everyone. As I pull back the bedspread, I see a letter on the pillow. It must be from Annie, as she was the last one here
with me.
I hold it in my hands for a few seconds before working up the courage to read it. Surely she’s telling me everything that’s wrong with me. That’s her charm. She offends you in such a way that you feel flattered by her interest in you. I smile a little, imagining her making her funny gestures.
“Dear Liamc
If you’re reading this, it’s because your biggest dream came true and we didn’t get married. It seems it wasn’t meant to be. But that was my dream for a long time, and I almost got to live it. Now I know that you didn’t love me for me, but because your heart was already taken.
Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. To avoid discomfort, I’m going away for a while. If I find that I’ve healed from your heartbreak and indifference, Ill come back someday. But if I don’t, we’ll never see each other again. You know I’m very determined, and I’ve already made that decision.
Promise me you’ll be very happy and fight for the love of your life. I won’t be here to see you, nor will I ask about you, but I truly wish you all the best. Understand if my parents are upset with you. Give them time and let things get back to normal. My parents love yours, and we can’t let them grow apart
because of us
I wish you all the best. Until someday, or never, it all depends on my heart.
With love.
Annie
When I finish reading the letter, I put it back in its envelope. Something stira inside me, but I can’t identify what it is. Maybe guilt for hurting her, or maybe the realization that I won’t see her again, now that I had gotten used to having her around.
I try to sleep and not think. Unconsciously, I look at my phone. Every night, Annie used to send me a message at the end of the day. It’s strange not to receive it anymore. I don’t know when I fall asleep.
The sound of the alarm wakes me up at six in the morning. Since there’s no honeymoon, my marriage leave is canceled and I have to go to work. There’s nothing here to make for breakfast, as I haven’t been to the supermarket, which is something I must do today. At least to have coffee. I take a quick shower and get dressed to leave.
It’s incredible how life goes on. Just yesterday, everything seemed bleak after what happened, and now, everything continues as if nothing had happened.
“Good morning, Doctor. You have a patient at nine in the morning and surgery at eleven. I meet the head nurse, who gives me the first instructions. Unconsciously. I glance around. Normally, Annie would pop out from somewhere to surprise me.
Strangely, everything has changed.
“Flashback”
Boo! Hahaha!” Annie appears in front of me, emerging from behind one of the walls.
“When will you stop being a child and act according to your profession? You’re a doctor, you can’t be playing in the hallway” Annie pouts at me. I can’t deny she looks adorable Her bright, sky blue eyes sparkle with joy.
“Why are you so happy? I ask as we head for the elevator. As soon as we enter, she clings to my neck, trying to kiss me. I gently push her away, not wanting to hurt her. I just want her to understand that I don’t like those kinds of displays.
1 really wanted to kiss you. How about you let me stay at your place tonight?” she whispers, her breath tickling my ear, which immediately starts to
turn me on
“Please, not here” I take her hands and pull her away from me. The joy disappears from her eyes, replaced by sadness. I don’t want to hurt her, but
Chapter 5
she needs to understand that I don’t feel comfortable with her doing these things.
“You’re right, Doctor, I’m sorry.” She stands up straight beside me. I clench my fists to resist the urge to apologize and hug her. The sound of the elevator reaching one of the floors we selected is the only thing that can be heard. Without looking at me, she steps out of the elevator and heads towards her office. I shake my head, thinking that people won’t see her as reliable if she continues with these kinds of behaviors.
“End of Flashback**
I head to my office to see my first patient. Along the way. I can’t help but notice everyone’s curious looks. I imagine they’re already aware of what I did, and I must be considered the biggest jerk in the universe. I keep going without stopping to think about those who don’t know how things went down.
My patient is a young
young woman who has facial injuries from an accident and needs reconstructive surgery. I’m a plastic surgeon, the best in the city. despite my young age. I had the best mentor, who left me his position and patients when he retired, with the full confidence that I would do him proud.
The day goes by seemingly normal, however, I can’t help but glance towards the doors, waiting for something. Or someone. I hadn’t realized how accustomed that silly girl had made me to her unexpected presence.
I finish my consultation and head towards the operating room. The case is complicated, as I have to reconstruct the tissue of a person with third–degree burns. It’s extremely painful for the patient, so it has to be done under general anesthesia. It’s long and tedious, but in the end, after a lot of hard work, we’ve managed to do a good job.
“So, h
o, how does it feel?” the doctor assisting me asks. I just glance up slightly. I don’t like to be interrupted when I’m concentrating.
“Feel what?” Lask him to be more specific. I find it strange that he’s making small talk at a time like this.
“How does it feel to reject one of the most beautiful women in the hospital, if not the most beautiful? Everyone here is betting it was because of someone else, but others think you just don’t want to get married and have many women at your disposal.” I think about what he’s saying: It’s true. Annie is one of the most beautiful women. She inherited her beauty from her mother and her aunt Tanya, who looks like a magazine model. She even bears a strong resemblance to her,
“I have nothing to discuss about that with anyone. It’s between her and me. When she comes back, maybe she’ll tell you.” I try to avoid further questions. But what he says next makes me freeze.
“They say she’s not coming back. That’s what they’re saying on her floor. That she took all her things and said she might not come back. The twin doctors left with her. You know how close they are. They’ve devastated the Gynecology department. The best ones are gone, maybe for good:
What he’s saying makes no sense, Why would she leave forever? She has her family here, her friends, a secure and well–paid job. Did she sacrifice so much for me? I decide not to discuss it further. Maybe I could ask my mother if she’d talk to me, but I don’t think she will. My work in the operating room is done, and I leave instructions for them to finish up. Now all that’s left is to apply the dressing to cover the wound. I decide to go and find the hospital director.
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