Chapter Five
1954 Words
Leo's Pov
The hospital was quieter than usual. The corridors smelled of antiseptic, and the faint hum of monitors echoed softly through the hallways. Normally, I thrived in this environment. I was confident, precise, in control. But today, I felt… off.
Part of me kept thinking about Anna.
The way she moved through the halls yesterday. Calm, careful, yet completely aware of everything around her. The way she didn’t try to impress me, didn’t flatter me, didn’t beg for recognition. She just did her work, quietly, confidently.
And it drove me insane.
I was not supposed to care about temporary staff. I was not supposed to notice them beyond their competence. Yet I found myself replaying every moment I had spent near her.
She had a habit of doing things I didn’t expect—like looking me in the eye when everyone else seemed afraid to. And every time she did, I felt… exposed.
I shook my head. Focus.
The emergency wing buzzed with activity. I walked through it, checking on patients, giving instructions, observing the staff. Everything ran smoothly. Almost.
Almost.
I noticed Sophie before she noticed me. She was leaning against the wall near the nurse’s station, a fake smile plastered on her face. I knew that smile. That carefully measured expression meant trouble.
She saw me, and her lips curved wider.
“Good morning, Dr. Martin,” she said sweetly, the tone sharper than her words.
“Good morning,” I replied calmly. My voice gave nothing away.
She glanced toward the hallway. I followed her gaze. Anna. She was organizing patient files, focused and precise. The young woman didn’t notice Sophie’s stare or maybe she did and ignored it. Either way, it made my chest tighten.
Sophie stepped closer, subtly blocking Anna’s path.
“She seems… inexperienced,” Sophie said casually, loud enough for me to hear. “I hope you’re not relying on her too much.”
I frowned. “She’s new, yes,” I said slowly. “But she’s careful, intelligent, and competent. She’s exactly what this wing needs.”
Sophie’s smile didn’t waver, but I caught the slight flicker of irritation in her eyes.
“Of course,” she said. “I just wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt by someone who doesn’t understand how things work here.”
I didn’t respond. I didn’t need to. My silence spoke for itself.
Later, I called Anna into my office. The door closed softly behind her.
“You did well today,” I said, watching her eyes carefully. She looked tired but focused, like she always did.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
“I need to ask something,” I said. “Yesterday, you answered a patient question without hesitation. You didn’t flinch. Most temporary staff would have frozen.”
She looked at me, curious, slightly cautious. “I just… pay attention,” she said. “And I try to learn quickly.”
I leaned back in my chair. “And you did. Which is why you’re here. Why you’re in this position.”
Her cheeks flushed slightly. “I don’t want to overstep, Dr. Martin.”
“Call me Leo,” I said before I could stop myself. Her eyes widened slightly, and something warm spread through me. “We’re beyond overstepping at this point.”
She said nothing, but the quiet that followed was heavy. Not uncomfortable. Full of meaning I didn’t know how to define.
Then Sophie knocked on the door.
I sighed. “What is it?”
“I just wanted to remind you,” she said sweetly, “that Anna is very new. Maybe she shouldn’t take on so much responsibility at once.”
I looked at her. “I trust her judgment. And I trust her skills.”
Sophie’s lips pressed into a thin line. She glanced at Anna, then at me. “Of course,” she said softly. “I only worry.”
I didn’t respond. I wanted to tell Sophie exactly what I thought. That she had no right to interfere. That Anna was not a threat, and certainly not a mistake. But I didn’t. I let my silence answer for me.
After she left, Anna spoke.
“She’s trying to make me look bad, isn’t she?” Her voice was quiet but firm.
“Yes,” I said immediately. “And you are not.”
Her eyes widened, a flicker of relief crossing her face. “You… believe me?”
“Of course,” I said. “I trust what I see. Not what others say.”
She smiled slightly. Something small but genuine. And my chest tightened again.
I caught myself staring a moment too long. Damn it. I was not supposed to… feel this way.
The rest of the day was tense. Sophie continued her little games—moving files “accidentally” in the wrong places, whispering hints to staff, trying to provoke Anna. But every time, I watched Anna remain calm, professional, unwavering.
And every time, I felt… drawn to her.
By the end of my shift, I knew something dangerous was happening. I cared about her more than I was willing to admit. And I hated it.
Because Sophie would not stop.
I found Anna as she prepared to leave. She looked tired, but proud, like she had survived a battlefield.
“Anna,” I said, stepping closer.
She looked up at me, surprised. “Yes, Leo?”
“Walk with me,” I said. “I need to talk to you before you leave.”
We walked down the quiet hallways together. The hum of the monitors and the distant conversations made the world feel smaller, more private.
“I need to tell you something,” I said carefully.
She stopped and looked at me. “What is it?”
“I’ve noticed Sophie’s behavior,” I said. “She’s trying to provoke you, make you doubt yourself. Don’t let her.”
“I won’t,” she said quietly.
I studied her. She was tired. Worn from the day. And yet… she stood straight. Her eyes were steady, honest, unafraid.
“I want to make sure you understand,” I continued. “I trust you. And I… care about you.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Care about me?”
“Yes,” I said, quietly, without hesitation. “In ways that… shouldn’t matter. But they do.”
She looked down, and I could see her lips press together as if she were trying to hide something. Relief, maybe, or confusion.
“I don’t know what to say,” she admitted.
“Say nothing,” I said. “Just… remember it. And don’t let anyone, especially Sophie, make you question yourself.”
The moment hung between us, delicate and tense. Every heartbeat felt loud, every breath sharp. I wanted to reach out, to touch her hand, but I stopped myself. Not yet. Not here.
She nodded, understanding, and turned to leave.
“Anna,” I said softly.
She looked back.
“Good night,” I said.
She smiled faintly. “Good night, Leo.”
And as she walked away, I realized that the storm Sophie was trying to create might be the one thing that finally made me see what I really wanted.
Because no matter what Sophie did, I could not ignore Anna.
And I did not want to.
- Writer
