Chapter 19: Ties That Binds
1276 Words
LILY
The night before her first day at the hospital, Lily sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her white coat.
Her fingers traced the embroidered name on the chest—Dr. Lily… The title she had fought for. The dream she had bled for.
Yet instead of excitement, a lump of unease sat in her stomach.Because tomorrow, she would see him.
Stanley.
She hadn’t spoken his name in months, hadn’t allowed herself to dwell on the memories that threatened to pull her under. But now, there was no avoiding it.
She closed her eyes, gripping the coat tighter.
This is just a job. Just another step forward. But deep down, she knew that was a lie. Because nothing about Stanley Caldwell had ever been just anything.
The hospital loomed ahead, its glass façade reflecting the morning sun, but to Lily, it felt more like steel and stone—a fortress she was about to breach. Her first day as a resident.
After years of struggle, sacrifice, and loss, she'd finally made it. But the triumph was dulled, shadowed by memories that refused to fade.
She adjusted her white coat, smoothing out invisible creases, and took a steadying breath before stepping through the sliding doors.
The familiar scent of antiseptic and determination hit her immediately. This was where she belonged. This was where she'd prove herself.
And then, she saw him.
Stanley.
The world tilted slightly, the air thinning. He stood across the hall, clipboard in hand, his posture rigid, his expression unreadable.
Time hadn’t dulled the sharpness of his features or the pull he had on her heart. But she'd learned to bury that pull deep, beneath layers of resolve and pain.
His eyes met hers, and something in his gaze faltered—just for a second.
She wouldn’t let him see her flinch.
"Doctor Stanley," she greeted, her voice calm, composed, the syllables clipped with professionalism. Cold.
A shadow flickered across his face, but he nodded, his own mask in place. "Doctor Lily. Welcome."
The silence that followed was thick, weighted with things neither of them dared to speak. Memories of nights once shared. Words left unsaid. A betrayal that still ached like an open wound.
"I'm here to work," she said, her chin lifted in quiet defiance. Her gaze challenged him, daring him to cross a line, to mention the past.
Stanley hesitated, his lips parting as if to speak—but the moment passed. Whatever words burned inside him, he swallowed them.
"Good luck," he said finally, his voice rougher than it should have been. "You’ll do well." And just like that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.
Lily stood still, her pulse hammering in her ears. She refused to watch him leave. Refused to let the emotions swirling inside her show.
But even as she turned to find her supervisor, she felt it—the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on her. The love that refused to die. The pain that refused to fade.
The oncology wing of the hospital was quiet, the air heavy with a mixture of hope and apprehension. Lily's heels clicked softly against the polished floors as she walked toward the meeting room. Her nerves were coiled tight, though she kept her expression calm, her shoulders straight. She’d fought too hard to be here, and she wouldn’t falter now.
Her supervisor, Dr. Adebami, greeted her with a warm smile as she stepped into his office. His reputation as one of the most skilled oncologists in the hospital preceded him, but his demeanour was approachable.
“Lily,” he said, rising to shake her hand. “I’m pleased you were assigned to me. You were the top students in your class. I’ve heard about your dedication.”
Lily smiled, grateful for the acknowledgment but wary of the weight of expectations. “Thank you, sir. I’m ready to give it my all.”
He nodded, his eyes kind but assessing. “I hope so. Oncology is demanding but rewarding. Patients depend on us for hope. Stay compassionate. Stay dedicated.”
“I will,” she promised, her voice steady.
The introduction to her first patients was sobering. Faces lined with fear, eyes searching for reassurance. She introduced herself to each one with a soft smile and gentle confidence. She asked about their concerns, their treatments, and listened with the patience born of her own pain—understanding how illness stole not just health but hope.
By midday, her lab coat felt heavier, weighed down with the stories of those she’d met. But she didn’t falter. She took notes, observed, and prepared for the long days ahead.
Later that evening, she found Zain in the hospital cafeteria, his smile bright and easy. Seeing him eased something inside her.
“Look at you, Doctor Lily,” he teased, nudging her as she dropped her tray beside his. “Saving lives already?”
She laughed, the tension of the day easing from her shoulders. “Not quite. More like listening and observing. But it feels... good to be here.”
He studied her for a moment, then tilted his head. “But you’re holding something back. Spill.”
She hesitated, then sighed. “I saw Stanley today.”
Zain’s brow arched, but his grin never wavered. “Ah. The ex.”
“It was... tense.” She stirred her coffee, watching the liquid swirl. “He welcomed me like I was any other colleague. Professional. Cold.”
“And you?”
“The same. I had to be. It’s complicated.”
Zain leaned back, arms crossed. “You still care.”
She shot him a look, but her silence was answer enough.
“Lil,” he said gently, “you know I’m always team you. But maybe talk to him? Clear the air?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. I don’t even know if I want to. There’s too much... history.”
Zain reached over, squeezing her hand lightly. “Whatever you need. Just remember, you don’t have to carry it alone.”
She smiled, soft and grateful. “Thanks, Zain. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Probably spiral dramatically,” he teased, and she laughed, the sound lighter than it had been in weeks.
That night, as Lily lay in bed, she thought of her patients, their courage, their fight. And she thought of Stanley, of the past they shared and the silence between them.
Some battles were fought in hospital rooms.
Others, in the heart.
Residency was meant to be a fresh start for Lily, but walking into the hospital every morning and seeing Stanley brought a constant ache.
He was everywhere—sometimes just a shadow in the hallway, other times standing too close, his eyes heavy with longing.
His messages came daily, simple at first, then desperate. She ignored them, steeling herself against the urge to reply.
Lily buried herself in work. The fast pace of the residency program left little room for personal reflection.
She was grateful Zain was there, his presence a steady comfort. His easy banter, his understanding glances, and his unwavering support made the days bearable. When she stumbled, he was there to steady her, just as he had been through every hardship of her life.
It wasn’t long before Lily found herself drawn to another presence in the hospital.
Alina was new, nervous, and struggling. Her hands trembled during procedures, and her confidence faltered under pressure. Lily saw a piece of her younger self in Alina—the girl who had once been lost in a sea of uncertainty.
- Writer
