Chapter 22

NOAH I was making my daily rounds when I overheard the nurses gossiping about Olivia and her mother-in-law. They even asked me about Director Harrison’s dinner treat. I glanced over at Olivia, who was quietly walking by with a thermos in hand, clearly ignoring the chatter from the medical staff. A frown tugged at my lips, but I quickly shrugged it off and walked away. After finishing with my last patient, I spotted Olivia again, this time in the family kitchenette. Something about the way she moved made me instinctively follow her. She reached for the water dispenser and began filling her thermos. But as she tilted it, her hand slipped, and scalding water spilled onto her wrist. “Ahh!” she gasped, dropping the thermos. Without hesitation, I rushed to her, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the sink. She looked up at me, stunned to see me there. “Don’t move,” I said firmly, as she tried to pull her hand away. I turned on the cold water and guided her hand under the stream, tighten