The rest of the operation went smoothly, though it took four more hours to complete due to the earlier complication. The surgeon responsible for the mishap was reported missing, prompting an imdiate search. There were growing concerns that he might have done sothing reckless.
That was the reality at Westview Hospital. In a place filled with brilliant, competitive, and sotis infamous doctors, incompetence wasn’t just frowned upon, it was crushing. For an unskilled doctor, surviving in such an environnt was nearly impossible. Whispers had already begun with people questioning what made things go that way. ’Why had Dr. Roman been assigned an incompetent assistant? Sothing like this had never happened before.’
Now in Roman’s office, every mber of the operating team stood in fear, all lowering their heads in fear of annoying him further.
"Bring him to , dead or alive!" Roman roared, his voice echoing through the office.
"We will. I take full responsibility," the hospital’s head surgeon said, bowing his head slightly. "I failed to confirm the assisting surgeon before the procedure began."
Roman’s glare sharpened.
"If you can’t control your subordinates, maybe it’s ti you took a break."
The room fell deathly silent. The words were calm, but everyone knew what they ant...dismissal.
"Everyone, leave," Roman ordered. Chairs scraped back in haste as they rushed to the door, desperate to escape his line of fire.
"Except Dr. Patricia."
Everyone paused. All eyes turned to her, sympathetic, but powerless to intervene. She had already said she didn’t mind being fired. Maybe she was ready for it.
Once the room emptied, Patricia stood still, her head lowered, fingers nervously fidgeting. She swallowed hard.
But before he could speak, she stepped in.
"I know I shouldn’t have stepped forward," she said, voice steady but soft. "But I wasn’t trained to watch a patient die when I could help. You can fire , but I won’t apologize for saving a life."
He said nothing. The silence pressed on her like a weight. Then she looked up and flinched.
His eyes were dark, furious, and piercing.
"You think stepping forward just because you believed you could save the patient was the right call?" He asked coldly.
"I don’t think," she said, lifting her chin. "I knew I could."
He began walking toward her. She didn’t flinch or move.
"Losing your job would be the least of what could happen if you step in at the wrong mont," he said quietly. "You could lose your life. You were lucky today because soone else made the mistake first and they have their scapegoat."
Her heart pounded. Was he threatening her?
"Are you rebuking because I am your unwanted bride," she asked, eting his eyes, "or because you don’t trust enough to operate on your fiancée?"
He stiffened. "I would have reacted the sa if it were anyone else."
"It doesn’t feel that way. It feels personal," she shot back. "You can keep from standing beside you in your life, but if soone needs saving beside you in that room, I will step in. Whether you like it or not."
She stood her ground, unflinching. And for the first ti, he didn’t have a response.
Speechless, Roman simply stared at her, his gaze drifting down to her heavy beating chest for a fleeting second. Why couldn’t she just admit she was wrong and save herself the trouble of pretending to be tough? He had always looked at her with indifference, but maybe she was deeper than he assud. She kept surprising him, especially when he least expected it.
He knew she was trying to stop letting people walk all over her, but what she did today could have cost her life. Now that she stepped into the spotlight, it wouldn’t be long before others started trying to tear her down. What she didn’t yet realize was that this hospital was far more competitive, and cutthroat than it appeared.
Patricia, anwhile, noticed beads of sweat forming along Roman’s temples. That was odd. The room was well-ventilated and he shouldn’t be sweating. His complexion had paled, too.
"You are sweating. And your face looks pale," she pointed out, stepping closer and instinctively reaching out to check his temperature.
He swatted her hand away.
"I am fine," he said flatly.
But she didn’t believe him not even for a second. Had he perford the surgery in that condition?
"You can leave early. All operating personnel were given the rest of the day off as a reward for a successful procedure," he added, turning away from her and walking to his desk. He pulled out a small bottle, likely dication.
"Just let check on you and I will leave. No questions asked," she insisted.
He didn’t respond. Instead, he disappeared into an adjoining room, leaving her standing there in silence.
Sighing, Patricia turned and left his office, heading back to her desk. She collapsed into her seat, letting her body relax. Four straight hours in the OR was no joke. But it was worth it.
"Look who it is... our new famous surgeon," a familiar voice teased. John, the persistent coworker who always found ways to pester her, approached with a coffee in hand.
"What famous surgeon?" She asked, raising her head with a frown.
He simply tilted his chin toward a group of rookies across the room. They were watching her, whispering among themselves. The looks weren’t admiring, they were sharp with envy, even disdain.
"They don’t look impressed," she noted.
John chuckled. "What did you expect? You suddenly walked into the OR with Dr. Roman, mind you, the one doctor everyone’s dying to work with, showed off your skills, and now you think they would cheer for you? Of course not. They think you are trying to steal the spotlight... or him."
Her expression soured. If they were acting like this over one surgery, what would they do if they ever found out she was actually married to him?
"Patricia," a voice called.
She turned. It was Dr. Miss.
Patricia stood at once.
"I really enjoyed working with you," Dr. Miss said. "But unfortunately, our CEO decides staff placents." She paused, then added, "You have been transferred to the ergency ward."
Patricia blinked.
"What?"
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