When Forever Changed Sides

Something's wrong

Bluebell POV

I was so excited.

Wren was back.

The thought kept replaying in my mind, bringing a smile to my face no matter how hard I tried to focus on anything else.

It was Friday.

We had the entire weekend to ourselves.

After weeks of being apart, I finally had something to look forward to. No hospital schedules keeping him away. No long-distance calls where I had to settle for hearing his voice instead of having him beside me.

He was here.

And that was all that mattered.

I started working.

Today, I was excessively effective.

Maybe it was the mood.

Maybe it was simply knowing Wren was back in London.

Whatever it was, I wasn't complaining.

I had submitted reviews to my supervisor, gone through my reports, checked my figures twice, and actually felt productive.

For once, everything seemed to be falling into place.

I'd almost forgotten about the CEO and everything that happened yesterday.

It didn't matter to me anymore.

Wren was back.

That's all that mattered.

I was working when there was a knock.

Before I could invite the person in, the door opened.

Maya.

Who else?

“Hey, babes.”

I looked up from my computer.

“Normalize waiting to be invited in.”

I didn't sound really authoritative.

My voice lacked the seriousness I intended, and Maya clearly noticed.

“Whatever,”

she said.

“You seem to be in a better mood today, mind sharing?”

I leaned back slightly in my chair.

“Gossip, what are you even doing here?”

“It's break hours. Besides, I'm off work.”

I looked at the time.

12:10.

Wren hadn't called.

Maybe he's busy.

I wouldn't blame him.

He was probably already buried in hospital work.

My eyes returned to Maya.

She sat like she owned my office, legs crossed comfortably, completely at ease.

She looked at me expectantly.

“I'm waiting,”

she said.

I sighed.

“Wren is back.”

Her eyebrows lifted.

“Like your Wren?”

“You know of another?”

She scoffed.

“I thought you said he wasn't coming until the holidays. Why is he here?”

I frowned.

“You don't want him back?”

I was beginning to get pissed.

“Don't get me wrong. It's weird, don't you think?”

“Explain.”

I was using my last restraints.

I'd known her since forever.

I couldn't fight her because of a man.

But she was beginning to test my patience.

“Wren comes back to London. He's meant to be in Manchester till the holidays. He went as a stand-in since he's a professional at a young age. Next thing, he's brought back.”

She paused, watching my reaction.

“If you ask me, that hospital is using him.”

I stared at her.

“You're done?”

“See, Gerald Green is a surgeon in Roanoke Hearts here in London. Why isn't he taking the case?”

“Hey, okay, calm with your theories.”

I waved my hand slightly, trying to dismiss the growing uneasiness in my chest.

“You're making me scared. Besides, Grayson Sanchez is the lead surgeon. He's only an assistant.”

“Grayson Sanchez, the best in Europe. Who is the patient?”

My expression tightened.

“It's confidential.”

She gave me that look.

The one that said she wasn't buying it.

I sighed.

“Okay, I don't know. He doesn't even know.”

“Okayyyy.”

She leaned back.

“I'm scared. I watched the news this morning, and a hospital used a doctor as bait because they know he's good. They gave him a very complicated issue to solve, and when he couldn't, the patient died.”

She paused.

“And the patient is a politician's son. You know what happens to the doctor, right?”

My stomach tightened.

“His license.”

“Exactly.”

I swallowed.

I was beginning to loosen up, but the story scared the hell out of me.

The possibility that Wren could somehow be placed in a situation like that made my earlier excitement feel slightly less secure.

I tried to push the thought away.

“Dr. Grayson is in charge. I guess no harm would occur.”

“I hope so.”

Silence settled between us for a moment.

Then it occurred to me.

Maybe that's the reason.

Maybe that was why Wren had been acting strangely.

My mind immediately went back to last night.

“I guess that's why he was acting strange last night.”

Maya immediately drew her seat closer.

“Strange? What happened?”

I hesitated.

“He was being insanely weird, acting like a dominant but not like that. I really can't explain, but he was weird.”

Maya studied my face.

“Maybe it's tension. Don't think too much.”

She softened her voice.

“If you ever want to talk, you have my line.”

I gave her a small smile.

“Where are you going?”

She gestured toward the wall clock.

“Lunch break is over. I'm off.”

I watched her leave.

Once the door closed behind her, I turned back to my computer.

I tried to focus.

I really did.

But her words had planted something in my mind.

I worked the remaining work hours, trying to get the thoughts out of my mind.

Eventually, the day began to wind down.

It was the close of work.

I packed my things and made my way to the front desk, ready to check out.

I was just about to sign out when the telecom at the front desk rang.

The receptionist answered.

A few seconds later, she looked directly at me.

“Miss Hayes, your supervisor wants to see you.”

I frowned.

“It's past work hours.”

“I was asked not to let you check out till you have met her.”

My stomach sank.

Again?

What now?

I reluctantly took the lift to the executive floor.

The moment the doors opened, I stepped out.

My supervisor was already waiting.

She handed me some documents.

The ones I had submitted.

“Go through it.”

She said it with a stern voice.

I opened it.

Fuck.

So many errors.

My heart dropped.

How had I missed all of these?

“I'm so sorry, Ma'am. I would correct it.”

“Say that to the CEO. He wants you in his office this minute.”

I froze.

My eyes widened before the name slipped out of my mouth.

“Callan Creed?”

I didn't plan for that to be said out loud.

My supervisor's expression hardened.

“I advise you address him as Sir.”

My throat suddenly felt dry.

“Go on. He doesn't have all the time in the world.”

I looked toward the corridor.

His office was waiting at the end of it.

My feet suddenly felt heavier than they had a few seconds ago.

I walked slowly toward his office, every step making my nerves tighten further.

My mind raced through every possible reason he could want to see me.

The attendance records.

My lateness.

The meeting.

Now my reports.

What exactly did he want from me?

I stopped in front of the door.

I stared at it for a moment.

Then I took a deep breath.

Now this is called walking into the lion's den.