4
863words
When I woke up,I was in a hospital bed.
By my side was my former mentor,Dr.Alex Thornton.
“Emma,you’re awake.Your injuries…”
I croaked,“Thank you.”
He stared,waiting for me to say more.
I remained silent.
Seeing my reluctance,he said gently.“Emma,I’m just worried about you.”
“I know.Thanks.”
He changed tone.“Just a simple thank-you?”
I managed a week smile.“How about I treat you to dinner once I’m better?”
“Deal,”he said,head down,ears turning red.
Alex helped me drinking water,chatting about old colleagues to keep me distracted.
Then an uninvited guest stormed in—Nathan.
Seeing me laughing with Alex,his face darkened.
“Emma,are you that desperate for men?Half-dead and still flirting?”
His words were dripping with irony.
My life was in ruins because of him.
No guilt,just mockery.
I met his gaze coldly.“Mr.Caldwell,my life’s none of your concern.And I’m sure you haven’t forgotten who tried to killed me,have you?”
He froze,not used to me standing up to him.
In my last conscious moment,I’d realized Nathan had never loved me.
How could he,after all the humiliation and destruction he’d caused?
Before he could respond,Alex stepped in front of him.
Standing half a head taller, Alex exuded quiet authority.
Nathan,perhaps not wanting to cause a scene,snorted and slammed the door on his way out.
I expected Alex to ask about Nathan.
Instead,he went back to sharing gossip,focused on cheering me up.
The doctor came in,saying I could be discharged but suggested a prosthetic hand.
I couldn’t barely afford Ethan’s medical bills,let alone a prosthetics.
I shook my head,thanking the doctor.
“Emma,think about it,”Alex said.“If it’s money,I can loan you some.No rush,no interest.”
“Thanks,Alex,but it’s not just money.My hands…it’s complicated.”
He dropped it,offering to drive me home.
I accepted his kindness.
At my apartment door,he helped me unlock it.
“I’m home.Thanks,Alex.”
As I started to close the door,he turned around.“Emma,was that man today the one who did this to your hands?”
“I know him.Our families are old friends.If you need help,I can intervene.”
I frowned,confused.Alex came from a medical family—how was he connected to Stonehaven’s elite?
Sensing my doubt,he explained,“In school,my family changed my last name to avoid trouble.My real name’s Alexander Grayson.I use my mom’s surname now.I’m focused on medical career,not the family business,so I stay out of those circles.”
I wanted to cut all ties with Nathan.
But Alex was just a close colleague,the one who’d saved my life.
I didn’t believe he’d risk a feud with Nathan for my sake.
I shook my head.“It’s okay,Alex.I’ll handle it.”
Seeing my determination,he didn’t press the issue.
That night,I ordered takeout.
Thinking it arrived,I opened the door to find Claire,waving a gaudy digital RSVP.
“Emma,this is the invitation to my engagement with Nathan..You have to come!”
I sneered.“Claire,my place isn’t a dumpster.Take your trash and go.”
Her eyes flashed with anger, and she pushed me down.
“How dare you, a cripple, talk to me like that?”
“Do you still think you’re still the hospital’s star surgeon?Wake up—you’re a fingerless mess.Imagine if your precious brother saw you.Would it kill him?”
She pulled out her phone.
I knelt,begging,“Claire,I’m sorry.Please,leave Ethan alone…”
My groveling seemed to satisfy her.She put her phone away.
“That’s better.Behave,and nothing will happen to him.”
She threw the invitation at me.“Catch it with your mouth.Show up on time,or I can’t promise what’ll happen to him.”
Seeing me catch it like a dog,she left,laughing.
An idea sparked.
The next morning,knocking woke me up.
It was Alex.
“Emma,I picked up some breakfast on the way.Thought I’d check on hwo you’re doing.”
I nodded,starting to thank him,but he cut me off.
“No more thanks.You owe me another dinner.”
I smiled,agreeing.
After eating,I got to the point.“Alex,I need a favor.I don’t have much money,but I’ll do anything to repay you.Can you help get my brother out?”
He paused,and my hope wavered.
I’d checked—Alex’s Grayson family matched Nathan’s Caldwells in power.
If Alex helped,he could free Ethan from Nathan’s grasp.
With Ethan safe,Nathan’s would no longer have any hold over me.
Even without hands,I still had my feet.I could find a way to support us.
As I braced for rejection,he said,“No problem.I was just trying to figure out which hospital would be the best for him.There are four top - notch hospitals in Stonehaven, and I have contacts at all of them. Since Ethan has a weak heart, what do you think of City General?””
“Anywhere works,Alex.I’ll find a way to pay you back and your kindness,whatever it takes.”
Tears streamed down my face as a wave of relief washed over me.
Freedom was finally within reach.
Alex,flustered by my crying,stammered,“Emma,please don’t cry…I’ll make it happen,I swear.”
His awkwardness made me laugh.
Seeing me calm,he blurted,“Are you hungry?Do you want me to cook something for you?”
I giggled.“We just ate,Alex.”
He scratched his head,sheepish.“Right…Oh,Emma,can you call me Alex instead of‘mentor’?It makes us seem so distant.”
“Sure,Alex.”
We shared a smile.
For days,Alex came by each morning,updating me on Ethan’s transfer progress.
.Knowing how self - conscious I was about my hands, he changed our dinner plans. Instead of going out, he would bring takeout to my place, sparing me from the stares of others.
His attention and care felt almost… over the top.
He even cooked for me.
