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I leave Phoebe in the exam room, bumping into a man outside the exam room.

"Sorry, man," I say, looking into his glossed over eyes. "Do you need help?" I ask, and he shakes his head. "Well if you do, the emergency room is down that hall." I point, and he nods his head.

I walk away, not having a good feeling about the guy but many druggies enter this hospital. I go to the floor where my patients are and check up on everyone—delivering good and bad news.

I'm paged into the ER where I enjoy being the most... It reminds me a bit of the chaos of being in the military.

"Male, age mid to late '30s and struck by a car." The female says, "The person didn't even stop."

"Bed four!" Macy, the charge nurse says, and we go into the made shift room. The nurses close the curtains, and we get to work.

"Hello, sir. Can you hear me?" I talk to the man, "He isn't responsive. Sir, my name is Doctor McGuire. I'm here to help you. Okay?" I state, cutting off his torn shirt. "His stomach is extended, possibly a dislocated pelvis. We need an x-ray and a sonogram."

A few minutes later, we get an x-ray and a sonogram, and I was right. His pelvis is dislocated, and blood is filling in his stomach. "We need to secure his pelvis and get him into surgery," I state and everyone nods their head. He is dosed up on pain medication, and I am glad, cause this is going to be painful...

Another doctor and I secure his pelvis, and we roll him down the hallway and into the elevator.

"Doctor McGuire!" I hear Doctor Leah Miller call my name from down the hallway.

"I can't speak right now, Doctor Miller. My patient needs me." I enter the elevator with my patient, and we head into the OR.

-

After hours of saving this man from dying, he is being wheeled into recovery. I dispose of my bloodied gown that covers my scrubs and washes my hands.

I am exhausted, but I need to check on Maria again. I called Mike, and he will be coming here tomorrow to meet her.

I think she needs another person to talk to, especially someone who is in the same situation as her.

Mike lost his leg when an IUD went off in Afghanistan. He almost lost his arm too, but we were able to save it. He still has some cramps here and there from the injury, but he is again powering through.

That was the first time I had to work on someone I was close to. Mike started with me, and he was there by my side since I retired. I needed to get away, but even with his leg, he needed to feel like he belonged somewhere. So now he works behind a desk, recruiting youngsters.

I hear my phone go off, and I quickly dry my hands answering the phone.

"Hello?" I answer, forgetting to look at the caller ID.

"Hello, this is New York Center for Rehabilitation, we have a call for Noah McGuire from Victoria Smith. Do you accept the call?" A female voice says, making me freeze.

I don't say anything fighting with myself. Not sure if I want to talk to my sister right now...

"Hello, do you accept the call?" The female voice repeats.

"Yes- I accept the call." I look down at my watch, and I see it's time for my break. I leave the room and walk to the elevators.

"Noah?" I hear my sister's voice, making me smile slightly. "Hi!"

"Hey, Vic." I softly say, "How have you been feeling? You doing good?"

"I'm doing good." Victoria's voice is a bit raspy, making me think she is sick. "I've been clean for a while, Noah. You should come to see me when you come to New York."

"Yeah, uh- when I am free. I will take a trip to see you." I stumbled on my own words, entering the elevator. Doctor Miller walks inside, and all I want to do is disregard her.

"You promise?" Vic asks, and I am starting to her agitated.

"I promise, Vic. I have to go, okay."

"I love you. Bye." Vic quickly says, and I hang up.

"I saw that you had an appointment today, with Miss Marshall. How is she?"

"Miss Marshall is doing great. Recovering well." I answer, hearing the elevator ding. The doors open, and I leave. Doctor Miller follows me, rushing to walk next to me.

"Noah, whatever you're doing. You should stop now before it gets ugly." She says, making me stop in my tracks.

"Are you threatening me, Leah?" I ask, looking into her eyes.

"I'm just warning you. I have seen the news- so has everyone here. We all hear the rumours..."

"This is none of your business-" I interrupt her.

"I know it's not, but it's the hospital's business." Leah whispers, "She has a famous mother- she is famous herself. If anything were to happen... It's not just you who will be affected." Leah leans in, making my eyebrows knit together.

"Leah, this is none of your business. But since you seem to be harassing me. Miss Marshall isn't my patient anymore. So now, whatever happens, won't affect the hospital." I answer, starting to walk away from her.

"Noah," Leah says, making me stop again. "Just- watch your back." She whispers, and I walk away from her, this time making my way to get lunch.

-

I get to my truck heading to the passenger side. I drop my keys on the concrete, sighing at how irritated I am. I pick them up, noticing a few blood droplets. What the?

I don't hesitate to look around the parking garage, and that's when I see a car that looks just like Phoebe's. And the trickle of blood leads to that car... I feel my heart echoing in my ears, and it feels like slow motion as I walk towards it.

When I am stepping away, I look through the windows, and I don't see Phoebe. Oh, thank god. I sigh in relief, thankful that it's not Phoebe's car. But then I'm confused at this blood trail...

I head back to my truck, get in and drive off. I have a horrible gut feeling that something happened, but I just want to get home to my girl. It's been a long day, and just seeing her face will make everything better.

-

* If you liked this chapter, please consider giving it a vote and answering the questions below. *

-

Two chapters in two days? Crazy... You enjoying the story so far? I am thinking Chapter 50/55 will be the end of this book.

Possibly, a second book in the making. 🙊🤫

Questions:

What is up with Doctor Miller? Why would she tell him to watch his back?

Also, a trail of blood... Oh no. What do you think happened?

- Anna