The Next Day

I walked down the hospital corridor as several staff members were busy unloading large crates filled with new medical equipment. The names of well-known international brands were printed clearly on the sides of the boxes. The hospital director was already waiting for me in the lobby. The moment he saw me, he smiled broadly and greeted me warmly.

"Doctor, this is all thanks to Alpha Kael. He has made such a great contribution. Our hospital will advance even further."

"It's our duty as new investors to make this hospital better. We want every patient to receive care that meets the highest standards," I said.

The director nodded, then invited me to see the installation process of several devices. However, I had to head to my office soon. There was an internal meeting scheduled and patients waiting for me.

When I opened my office door, I froze. Lucian was already there, sitting with his arms crossed and that familiar sharp gaze fixed on me.

"So, this is you and your husband's doing? All those machines are wrong," he said.

I frowned and set my bag on the desk. "Wrong?"

Lucian stood up. "This hospital has its own standards. Do you think by bringing in foreign equipment, everything will suddenly get better? You don't even understand how the system works here."

"Standards? Dr. Lucian, we're talking about lives. Those machines are the latest technology. They can speed up diagnoses and make surgeries more precise. What's wrong with bringing progress?"

His gaze grew even sharper. "Because you don't understand. All this will only ruin the system we've built over the years. You're being reckless."

"No, you're the one being outdated. You're stuck in old patterns, as if everything that exists now is already perfect. But medicine keeps evolving. If we cling to old methods, this hospital will never move forward," I said.

There was a brief silence. I could see his jaw tighten, his eyes flashing with emotion. My words had clearly struck his pride.

"I won't let you destroy this hospital's reputation with your naive idealism," he said coldly.

I gave a faint smile. "Prove it. Let's see who's right. I believe in data, in real results not in ego."

Lucian looked at me with an unreadable expression. He took a slow step closer, deliberate and steady, like a wild wolf closing in on its prey.

"I'm glad we're finally working in the same hospital again," he said.

I instinctively stepped back. "Lucian?"

He kept walking toward me while I slowly backed away, until my back almost touched my desk.

"You know, Sera, I don't care how many advanced tools you bring in or how much support you get from Kael, because in the end, you're just a new surgeon. You'll never surpass me," Lucian said.

"I never intended to surpass anyone. I don't work to compete. I chose this profession for one reason to save lives, not to show off or prove who's better."

But Lucian only smirked, his gaze piercing deeper. "You're still the same. Always talking as if you're some saint. But the real world doesn't work that way, Sera. This world is about who's superior, who holds power. Do you think patients care about your words? No. They care about the best doctor who can save them and that's me, not you."

I clenched my fists by my sides, forcing myself not to react. "If you're truly the best doctor, prove it in the operating room, not with words like these. I don't care who's called the best. As long as lives can be saved, that's enough for me."

He stepped even closer, now only a few steps away. I could feel his breath, heavy, controlled. The scent of his cologne, once familiar, now only made me want to step farther away.

"Sera, you're still the same as before. But believe me, sooner or later, you'll realize it. The world isn't as simple as you think."

"Maybe. But I won't change just because of your way of thinking. Now, if you don't have any professional business with me, you should leave my office. I still have a lot of work to do," I said.

Lucian stared at me for a long moment before giving a faint smile. "Very well. We'll see how long you can hold on to your ideals."

Then he turned and walked out. The door closed softly, leaving me alone in the room. I lowered my head, took a deep breath, and tried to calm my racing heartbeat.

"He's completely lost his mind."

***

After a short meeting with the director regarding the installation of the new equipment, I returned to my office. My mind was still filled with thoughts of Lucian. His words echoed in my head. I tried to focus on the patient files before me, but my fingers froze when my phone vibrated. Kael's name appeared on the screen. I immediately answered.

"Sera, my love. I wanted to know how your day was. Have the machines arrived?"

"Yes. Everything arrived at the hospital this morning. The director is very grateful to you. He even praised your generosity. The hospital will be much better with all that equipment."

"Good. That's what I wanted. I want you to work comfortably, with the best facilities. You deserve it."

Then his tone changed, growing more serious. "What about Lucian? Did he bother you today?"

The question made me pause. I swallowed hard, staring at the phone screen as if avoiding Kael's gaze even though he wasn't there, I could still feel it. The image of Lucian's sharp eyes flashed in my mind how he had approached me, how his words had dripped with threat.

I knew that if I told Kael the truth, he wouldn't stay silent. He would take action something big and that was exactly what I feared. I didn't want this conflict to spiral into something uncontrollable.

"No. No problems. He didn't bother me," I lied.

There was a brief silence on the other end. It felt as if Kael knew I was hiding something.

"All right. I trust you. But remember, if he dares to cross the line, I won't stand by. I'll protect you, no matter what it takes."

"I know, and I trust you. I just don't want our lives to be filled with unnecessary fights. I want peace," I said softly.

"As long as I'm here, no one will ever hurt you again."

"Thank you, love."

"Now focus on your work. I'll come pick you up this evening. Don't think about anything else, understood?"

I nodded, though he couldn't see it. "Yes, I understand."

The call ended. I stared at the phone in my hand for a long moment before setting it down on the desk. There was a sense of relief, but also the weight of a small lie I had just told because the truth was, Lucian had bothered me.