Marcus's POV
"Scalpel."
"Here, doctor."
The operating room was silent except for the steady beep of the monitor and the soft clatter of instruments being passed around. My focus was razor-sharp, hands steady.
"Vitals are stable, Dr. Silva," one of the nurses reported.
"Good," I replied, eyes still fixed on the incision. "Retractor."
The junior resident beside me looked tense, but she followed instructions without hesitation. Sweat trickled down her temple. I gave her a brief nod. "Relax. You're doing fine."
Hours later, the last suture was finally tied. I pulled back and exhaled.
"And… that's it. Another successful surgery." I stripped off my gloves, my tone calm but satisfied.
The team let out a collective breath of relief. A nurse smiled. The resident's shoulders sagged, almost in disbelief.
"Good job, guys," I said, giving them each a look. "Another life saved. Be proud of yourselves."
"Thanks to you, Dr. Silva," someone said.
I shook my head. "Thanks to the team." That part mattered.
After scrubbing out, I stepped into the corridor, rolling my shoulders back. The hospital was busy as always—doctors walking fast, families whispering in corners, patients being wheeled past. Just another day.
And then I saw her.
A shiny blonde girl with pink highlights streaking through her bangs, hair catching the fluorescent lights like gold. Her eyes—sharp, worried, blue—darted around as if she'd just gotten a call with bad news.
She clutched her phone, pacing faster and faster until suddenly—she started running.
Running. In a hospital.
"Hey—running isn't allowed here!" I called out, my voice firmer than usual.
But before I could stop her—
Wham.
She slammed right into me.
For a moment, I caught the faint scent of something expensive—sweet, floral, intoxicating. She barely looked up, muttered a quick, "Sorry!" with a voice as rushed as her footsteps, and then bolted off again without another glance.
I stood there for a beat, stunned, watching her disappear down the hallway.
And then I noticed it.
Something had fallen to the floor.
A card. Glossy. Shiny under the light.
Her ID.