The man who heal me

Gabe: If you don't come tonight, I'm breaking up with you. I stared at the message, too exhausted to argue. After spending three hours performing surgery, every muscle in my body ached. All I wanted was to collapse in the doctors' resting area and sleep for a few hours. Instead, I was supposed to meet my boyfriend's parents for the first time. My phone lit up again. I glanced at the screen. Gabe: If you don't come tonight, I'm breaking up with you. And I'm serious. I stared at the message, annoyance slowly rising inside me. I couldn't believe he was threatening to break up with me simply because I might be late—or might not come at all. "Hi, Kate." I looked up and saw one of our consultants walking toward the water dispenser. He noticed the expression on my face and stopped. "Your boyfriend?" he asked. I didn't answer. Instead, I slipped my phone into my pocket. He pulled out the chair beside me and sat down. "Let me give you a piece of advice. Any man who can't accept you and your job isn't worth marrying." I looked at him in surprise. How on earth did he know? He smiled. "Look at me." I reluctantly obeyed. "I've been married for four years, but, to be honest, I didn't marry the woman I was dating before. She was my first love." "Oh, Mr. James has a first love?" Caitlin called from across the room as she sipped her water. James shot her a warning look. She immediately lowered her cup. "I'm listening," she muttered. James sighed before continuing. "She always complained that I didn't have enough time for her. Eventually, we broke up, and I'm still alive. I'm happily married now. If I'd married her, I might have ended up divorced and miserable." He shrugged. "So don't let your love life get in the way of your career. Some people aren't worth giving up who you are for." Before I could respond, he reached over and took a bite of my hamburger. I stared at him in disbelief. "You stole my food." "Hmm." He continued chewing as though he hadn't heard me. Then he noticed the cream on my face and reached out to wipe it away. I immediately pushed his hand aside and cleaned my face myself. "I think you need to sleep before the meeting," he said as he stood. Then he walked away. Caitlin watched him leave and shook her head. "He's still the most annoying man I've ever met." I smiled, but the amusement disappeared almost immediately as Caitlin stepped closer, her eyes sharp. "Can you quit your job for him?" she asked, studying my face as though she already knew the answer. I immediately shook my head. "Then you don't love him," she said flatly, dropping the words like a bombshell before walking away. I sat frozen, a strange hollow feeling settling in my chest. I had three hours before the meeting, but I couldn't relax. If an emergency came in, I could be called back for surgery at any moment. I stood, picked up my coffee, and walked toward my office. That's when I saw Evelyn waiting for me with a huge smile. I dragged my tired body toward her, and she immediately wrapped her arms around me. "Baby girl, you look tired," Evelyn said, taking my coffee from me. "Are you seriously going there looking like that?" "Huh?" "Yes. You're going to be the death of me. How dare you meet your future husband's parents for the first time looking like a walking corpse?" She grabbed my arm and dragged me toward my office. The moment I entered, I saw three outfits laid out across the couch. I stared at them. "What are you doing?" "Dressing you up. Gabe has been sending me messages nonstop. It's like he's going to break down." She picked up an emerald dress and held it against me. "You know he's scared you won't show up, right?" "I might have to leave the meeting if I'm called for surgery," I admitted quietly. Evelyn paused, lowering the dress. She looked at me through the mirror and smiled softly. "Between Gabe and your job, pick one." I stared at her reflection. For the first time all day, the question hung heavily between us. But I couldn't choose. She sighed, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her eyes, and continued brushing my hair. "Do you know what else Gabe said?" she murmured, her tone shifting slightly. "What?" "He said he'll send people to kidnap you and bring you to the restaurant if you don't show up on time." I laughed nervously. "Isn't that funny?" "It is," she replied, though her voice lacked warmth. She looked at me seriously. "Are you scared?" "I'm not scared. I'm made of stone," I joked, trying to brush off the sudden chill crawling up my spine. She rolled her eyes and finished touching up my makeup. Just as she stepped back, Caitlin walked in with two men behind her. Evelyn burst out laughing. "Like... I never really thought Gabe would actually send people to kidnap you." She turned toward the two silent men in suits. "Give her a few minutes. I'll just finish her bag." The men nodded grimly. Something about them felt entirely wrong—their posture too rigid, their eyes too cold. But before I could voice my doubt, Evelyn was leading me outside to the waiting car. "Go for it. His parents will love you," she said, opening the door. I hesitated beside the seat. "Evelyn... I've stood them up eight times. Aren't you worried?" She forced a bright smile, though her hands trembled slightly against the door frame. "Just smile. Go on." I got inside, and the car pulled away from the hospital curb. I immediately pulled out my phone, intending to call Gabe and let him know I was finally on my way. But before I could even unlock the screen, the man in the passenger seat snatched the device from my hand with an iron grip. I looked up sharply. Their expressions had completely hardened. "Who are you?" I demanded. Neither of them answered. My heart slammed against my ribs. "You aren't sent by Gabe." Silence. "Where are you taking me?" Still no answer. I threw my weight against the door handle, desperate to escape, but the man beside me caught my arm in a brutal vise. A sharp, burning pinch pierced my skin. An injection. My vision blurred almost instantly. The cabin of the car spun, the dark leather seats melting into gray shadows. Through my rapidly fading vision, I caught a glimpse of the hospital entrance in the distance. I thought I saw Evelyn walking back toward the building, her silhouette stark under the streetlights. I wanted to scream. I wanted to call her name. No sound came out. Evelyn was the last person I saw. Then, everything went black.