CHAPTER 2
RAYA'S POV
TWO YEARS LATER
"Doctor Jones! We need you in the trauma bay, stat!"
The nurse’s urgent call reached me as I slipped on my gloves, already moving, my heart pounding.
“What’s the case?” I asked quickly as I stepped into the trauma bay.
“Male, mid-30s, severe chest and abdominal lacerations. Possible internal bleeding from a construction fall, and crashing blood pressure.”
My eyes instantly shifted to the pale, blood-soaked man on the stretcher.
“Prep him for surgery. I need a full set of vitals, now. And where’s the ultrasound? We need to locate that bleed!” I ordered with a firm voice, cutting through the tension.
The team moved swiftly into action under my direction and I could feel the steady adrenaline in my veins.
Over the past two years, I had earned a reputation not just as a skilled doctor but as a specialist people called on when the odds were slim.
“He’s crashing!” someone yelled as the monitor beeped erratically.
“Not today,” I muttered, stepping closer.
Grabbing the ultrasound probe, I scanned his abdomen, my eyes narrowing as I located the source of the bleed.
“There. Right below the liver." I said, "We need to clamp that artery before it’s too late.”
The surgical tools were handed to me quickly and I worked methodically, my hands steady as I repaired the damage.
Finally, after what felt like hours but was only minutes, the patient’s vitals was now stabilized.
“Bleeding’s controlled. He’s stable,” I announced with a calm breath, pulling off my gloves.
A sigh of relief filled the room, followed by soft clapping.
“You're incredible, Dr. Jones,” a nurse said.
“It’s a team effort,” I replied with a smile. Still, I couldn’t deny the sense of pride swelling in my chest.
This was what I had worked so hard for, why I had poured every ounce of my energy into becoming someone who could make a difference.
As the patient was wheeled to recovery, the hospital director approached me with a glowing approval on his face.
“Dr. Jones, once again, you’ve saved the day. You never cease to amaze us,” he said as he extended his hand.
“It’s just part of the job,” I said humbly, shaking his hand.
“Well, if only every doctor had your talent,” he chuckled, then added, “By the way, you were supposed to be off thirty minutes ago. I believe you mentioned something about heading home?”
My eyes widened as I glanced at the clock on the wall. “Oh, no. I’m late.”
Realizing the time, I hurried to the locker room, throwing on a nice outfit before I hurried out to the cab waiting for me outside.
…
The cab hummed softly as it moved along the familiar dirt roads leading to my pack. I hadn’t thought about this place in years, not deeply, at least.
Two years had passed since I left heartbroken and humiliated.
Two years of hard work, sleepless nights, and relentless determination to rebuild myself. I had thrown myself into my studies, drowning in books and clinical hours to fade away the pain.
And now, here I was, a successful doctor, with a degree and a reputation that even human hospitals respected. I was coming back stronger than I’d ever been, but my heart still ached at the thought of stepping into the place where I was once deeply hurt.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Taylor said in concern, breaking the silence. His tone was casual but it had kindness underneath.
I glanced at him. Taylor was sitting comfortably beside me, his blond hair slightly ruffled from the wind and his bright blue eyes full of curiosity.
Taylor had been my rock these past two years, meeting him in med school was a blessing I hadn’t realized I needed.
He was the kind of person who could light up any room with his charm, and his unwavering loyalty had kept me sane through the darkest moments of my life.
“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing a small smile, “Just…thinking.”
“About what?” he pressed as he studied me with his eyes.
I hesitated, unsure of how much to share. “Just… how it feels to be back. It’s been so long, and a lot has changed.”
"Raya," Taylor softened his expression as he reached over to pat my hand reassuringly, "everything's going to be fine. You’re the strongest, most confident person I know. If anyone can handle this, it’s you.”
His words warmed my heart, and I gave his hand a gentle squeeze in gratitude.
“Thanks, Taylor. You always know what to say.” I said.
“Of course. What kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t?” He teased as he winked at me.
As we approached the pack gates, I instinctively held my breath. Memories came flooding back, moments of laughter, love, and heartbreak.
I positioned my shoulders confidently. The last time I’d walked these roads, I had been a different person, naive, blinded by love, and utterly broken. But now, I was here on my own terms.
The cab pulled up in front of my childhood home, and before I could even grab my suitcase, the front door burst open. My parents came rushing out, their faces lighting up with joy.
“Raya!” my mother exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug, “Oh, my baby, you’re finally home!”
"Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad," I laughed, hugging her back just as tightly, "I missed you both so much.”
“Oh, my baby!” she exclaimed, squeezing me so tightly I could barely breathe. I was literally suffocating.
“We missed you too much more than you can imagine,” My father said, his voice filled with emotion. He ruffled my hair like he used to when I was a kid, and I couldn’t help but smile.
When I finally looked up, my jaw dropped. The house was covered in decorations, balloons, streamers, and even a large banner across the porch that read, 'Welcome Home, Raya!'
“What is this?” I asked, turning to my parents in disbelief.
“Your welcome home party, of course!” My mom said with a smile on her face.
“No wonder you told me to wear something nice,” I said, shaking my head, “You two are unbelievable.”
“Unbelievable? No,” My dad interjected with a chuckle, “We’re just proud of you.”
"We wanted you to look your best for your return" My mother added happily.
Before I could respond, Taylor stepped out of the cab, dragging my suitcase behind him. My parents’ eyes immediately shifted to him with curious looks on their faces.
“And who is this young man?” My dad asked, arching his brow slightly.
“This is Taylor,” I said, gesturing to him, “My best friend. We met in med school.”
Taylor set my suitcase down and extended a hand to my father. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Mrs. Jones.”
“The pleasure is ours,” my mom said warmly, shaking his hand. “Thank you for looking out for our Raya.”
“She doesn’t need much looking after,” Taylor replied with a grin, “She’s tougher than she looks.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “Okay, enough about me. Let’s go inside.”
The party was small but heartfelt, with close family friends gathered around. The house was filled with cheers and laughter, and for the first time in years, I felt really genuinely happy.
"You look so different Raya," my old neighbor said as she stared at me with admiration.
"Exactly, you've changed a lot. See how beautiful and mature you look," a family friend uttered in surprise.
"Thank you so much guys," I replied with a smile on my lips.
As I chatted with them in the living room, I felt a shift in the air. It was subtle, like the calm before a storm, but I knew it all too well.
The door creaked open, and that familiar scent hit me like a punch to the gut. I remembered that scent… cedar and leather.
My heart clenched, and my breath caught in my throat as I turned. The person I saw standing there was none other than Pierce.
He stood in the doorway, his broad shoulders filling the frame and his piercing blue eyes locked on mine.
He looked more rugged, his jawline was sharper, and his presence was even more commanding than before.
For a moment, everything else faded away, the noise, the people, the party, it all disappeared as I stared at the man who had shattered me.
Then my surprise was instantly replaced with anger.
Two years of pain and unanswered questions rushed to the surface, and I clenched my fists to keep me from exploding. How dare he show up here like nothing had happened?