Chapter 267
Chapter 267:
It was warm and grounding, a stark contrast to the chaos of the evening.
Pulling the jacket tighter around herself, she imagined as though she was embracing Austin.
A small smile tugged at her lips as a thought flickered in her mind.
He showed up as soon as she called him.
Maybe Yelena wasn’t as important to Austin as Monica had imagined. Maybe… maybe he cared about Monica even more.
The realization sent a warm glow spreading through Monica’s chest, reigniting her confidence.
As they settled into the car, Monica felt a nervous energy bubbling beneath her calm facade. Sitting this close to Austin, his presence dominating the small space, was almost overwhelming.
She considered confessing her feelings, but the driver’s presence was an unwelcome obstacle. Instead, she bit her lip and stayed quiet, letting the idea linger for another time.
When the car pulled up in front of her building, Monica reluctantly slipped off the jacket and handed it back to Austin, her fingers brushing against his briefly. She stepped out but hesitated, glancing back at him. “Austin, thank you again for everything tonight. Really. If you’re free sometime, I’d love to treat you to dinner as a proper thank you p>
Austin’s response was distant, almost mechanical. “No need. Go on inside—it’s late p>
With a slight nod, he signaled the driver, and the car began to pull away before Monica could even reply.
She stood there, stunned, the cool night air biting against her skin. Her hands curled into fists at her sides. What just happened? Did he really not care at all?
The evening had felt full of promise, a chance to carve out a moment just for the two of them, to create an opening for something more. And yet, he had left without so much as a backward glance.
The sting of rejection settled deep in Monica’s chest.
As A Doctor Is Questioned
Monica stood at the curb, her heart sinking as Austin’s car disappeared into the horizon.
She couldn’t bring herself to accept the reality, no matter how inevitable it seemed. Helplessness wrapped around her like a heavy cloak.
In her frustration, Monica pinned all the blame squarely on Yelena, as if it were her doing.
At home, Yelena sneezed out of the blue, pausing mid-thought. “Who’s talking about me behind my back again?” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.
She dismissed the idea quickly—there were more pressing matters on her mind. Tomorrow, Dwight’s operation awaited her, and she needed to be at her sharpest. With that resolve, she decided to call it an early night.
As the first rays of dawn seeped into her room, Yelena rose, freshened up, and tucked into a light breakfast before heading out.
Bella, however, watched her sister leave with a sneer curling on her lips.
She had always found Yelena’s constant flitting about puzzling and mildly infuriating. Their parents never seemed to question her comings and goings, even though, as a young woman, Bella believed Yelena should be more… grounded. What exactly was Yelena always so “busy” with?
Curiosity gnawed at Bella, fueling her desire to uncover her sister’s secrets and perhaps catch her in some grand misstep.
But that would have to wait. Today, Bella had her own agenda—a shopping spree with Bernice, as the two cousins hadn’t seen each other for a while.
Meanwhile, Yelena hailed a taxi and made her way directly to the hospital.
John had generously offered to arrange a car for her, but she waved him off, finding the fuss unnecessary. Time was precious, and Yelena wasn’t one to squander it.
As she stepped into the hospital, Yelena found the team of doctors and nurses already assembled, patiently waiting for her.