Chapter Three
1003 Words
The sharp scent of antiseptic lingered in the air as Dr. Elena Carter entered the hospital’s research lab. The room buzzed with quiet energy—colleagues scribbling notes, machines humming softly, and computers displaying complex diagrams of spinal injuries and recovery methods.
Elena adjusted her lab coat, her mind still occupied by her unexpected encounter with Christian Blake and his charming nephew. She’d barely had time to process Liam’s impromptu suggestion that she become his nanny, but it had stuck with her in an oddly endearing way.
“Dr. Carter,” a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
She turned to see Dr. Philip Andrews, her mentor and one of the leading neurosurgeons in the field. His salt-and-pepper hair and sharp eyes gave him an air of authority, but his tone was always warm and encouraging.
“Good timing,” he said, gesturing her over to a monitor displaying an X-ray of a damaged spinal column. “We’ve made some progress with the new procedure. Take a look.”
Elena studied the screen, her eyes narrowing as she analyzed the details. “This could change everything for patients with injuries like this,” she murmured.
“That’s the goal,” Dr. Andrews said with a small smile. “And it just so happens that we have a potential candidate right here in the city.”
Elena frowned, glancing at him. “Who?”
“Christian Blake.”
Her stomach did a tiny flip. “Christian Blake?” she echoed, feigning surprise.
Dr. Andrews nodded, folding his arms. “I saw his medical file after your notes flagged him as a possible candidate during Liam’s checkup. His injury aligns perfectly with the parameters for our study.”
Elena hesitated. “He’s... not exactly the easiest person to approach.”
Dr. Andrews chuckled. “So I’ve heard. But you’ve already met him, haven’t you? He’s more likely to listen to you than anyone else.”
“That’s debatable,” Elena said dryly.
“Carter.” Dr. Andrews’ tone shifted, more serious now. “This procedure could give him his life back. You know that. If there’s even a chance he’ll agree, we have to try.”
Elena nodded slowly, understanding the weight of what he was saying. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Later that evening, Elena sat at her apartment desk, staring at Christian’s file. His injury was complex, but the new procedure could offer a significant chance at recovery.
He’s not going to make this easy, she thought, recalling his cold demeanor and the wall of defenses he carried around himself like armor. But beneath that gruff exterior, she’d glimpsed something else—a man who fiercely loved his nephew and refused to let his circumstances define him completely.
She tapped her pen against the desk, weighing her options. She could wait for the perfect moment, or she could approach him directly and risk his inevitable resistance.
Elena smirked to herself. ‘Subtlety isn’t exactly my style.’
The next morning, Elena arrived at the Blake estate with a plan. She’d agreed to help out with Liam for the week, but she intended to use that time to plant the seeds for Christian’s potential surgery.
“Dr. Carter! You’re here!” Liam’s cheerful voice greeted her as the door swung open.
Elena crouched to his level, ruffling his curls. “Good morning, superhero. Ready for another adventure?”
“Always!” Liam said, grabbing her hand and pulling her inside.
Christian appeared in the doorway to his study, his piercing gray eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re early,” he said, his tone neutral but laced with suspicion.
“Consider it enthusiasm,” Elena replied smoothly, hanging up her coat.
Christian didn’t respond, but the corner of his mouth twitched—almost a smile.
As the day unfolded, Elena found small ways to observe Christian’s condition. She noticed the way his hands gripped his wheelchair tightly during tense moments, the subtle flinch when Liam accidentally bumped into him, and the exhaustion he tried to hide after transferring himself to the couch.
By the time Liam had gone to bed, Elena decided it was time to address the elephant in the room.
Christian was in the living room, flipping through documents on his tablet. He glanced up as she entered, his expression guarded.
“You don’t have to keep hovering,” he said dryly.
Elena ignored his tone, sitting across from him. “I wasn’t hovering. I was observing.”
“Observing what?”
“Your condition,” she said bluntly.
Christian’s eyes darkened, his shoulders tensing. “We’re not having this conversation, Dr. Carter.”
“Yes, we are,” she said firmly. “Because I know about the experimental procedure that could help you. And because I believe you’re worth the effort, even if you don’t think so.”
His jaw tightened, his hands gripping the arms of his chair. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I do,” she countered, leaning forward. “And I know you’re scared—of trying, of failing, of hoping for something that might not work. But you don’t have to face it alone.”
Christian glared at her, his voice cold. “What makes you think you have the right to lecture me about my life?”
Elena held his gaze, her own steady and unyielding. “Because I’m your doctor. And because I care, whether you like it or not.”
For a moment, the room was silent except for the faint hum of the central air.
Finally, Christian exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly. “I’ll think about it,” he muttered, his tone begrudging.
Elena smiled faintly, standing. “That’s all I’m asking, Christian. Just think about it.”
As she left the room, she felt a flicker of hope. She knew convincing him wouldn’t be easy, but she wasn’t one to back down from a challenge—especially not one as important as this.
- Writer
