Chris drove into V.K Hospital with one hand on the wheel, slouched back in his seat, his face pale and tired. As he slowly pulled into the parking lot, his eyes landed on Isa and Alex walking out of the hospital—holding hands.
Alex leaned toward her, speaking softly with a smile, and Isa laughed, covering her mouth with one hand. She looked shy… and her eyes—
Chris squinted, his brows knitting as he slowed the car even more.
Her eyes sparkled.
He hadn't seen that light in her eyes since she started working for him. Most days, she looked drained—her face dull, her eyes hollow.
What's going on? Chris' eyes darted between them. His hands clenched the wheel.
"What's so funny?" he muttered, frowning as Isa giggled again and glanced at Alex.
Her shoulders were relaxed, her smile easy—like she belonged beside him. Chris sneered at the sight. He remembered how Isa could grip her laptop to her chest like a shield, flinching at his voice, eyes fixed on the floor.
Now, she looked nothing like that girl.
When Isa and Alex stopped and turned to face each other, everything seemed to slow. They didn't speak. Just stared. Chris stared too, frozen behind the wheel. His heart thudded hard in his chest as Alex leaned in and whispered something to Isa. His breath hitched as Alex brushed a strand of Isa's hair behind her ear. A strange pressure squeezed his chest—like a hand wringing his lungs.
Does he… like her?
Chris' fists trembled, his chest rising and falling fast. His heart pounded—like fists banging on a locked door. His breath came in short gasps.
A loud honk snapped him out of it.
Eyes wide, Chris looked ahead—he was veering into another lane. With a gasp, he yanked the wheel and swerved back just in time. He gripped the steering with both hands, pulled into a space, and slammed on the brakes. The tires screeched.
He exhaled loudly and leaned back in his seat, hands falling limp from the wheel.
"What the hell just happened to me?" he asked aloud, running his fingers through his hair.
His throat tightened. He'd wanted to look away—but couldn't.
Was this… jealousy?
"No way!" He let out a dry laugh.
After Stacy died, he had promised never to fall for anyone again. She had loved him—loved him enough to ignore the warnings. Enough to stay. Enough to die.
He had sworn never to let her sacrifice be in vain.
Isa was part of his past. A teenage mistake. Nothing more.
Old things shall pass away, he quoted to himself.
Annoyed at the thought of being jealous, he threw open the door, grabbed his phone, and got out. He slammed the door shut and took a deep breath, shoving one hand into his pocket as he strode toward the hospital.
But then he froze.
Alex and Isa were still standing in the same spot.
"They're still there?" Chris blinked, stunned. His grip on the phone tightened.
When his gaze found Isa's smiling face again, he coughed—almost like he'd been caught watching something he shouldn't. He tapped his chest lightly.
When the two finally noticed him, Chris dropped his eyes to his phone and kept walking as if he hadn't seen them at all.
"Boss?"
Her soft, quivering voice tightened something in his chest. He looked up slowly. She dropped her head, her shoulders tensed ever so slightly.
"Good evening, sir," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.
Chris' eyes dropped to her hands. She was fiddling with her fingers—just like always. A corner of his lip lifted.
"I thought you wouldn't come for your check-up today," Alex said, hands tucked into his pockets, calm and smiling. "I'm glad you're here."
Chris said nothing. His eyes locked onto Alex's for a moment before shifting to Isa—then to the hospital doors.
"Can we go in now?" he asked flatly, his tone cold.
"And… how are you feeling now, sir?" Isa asked, lifting her gaze slowly.
Her eyes shimmered with uncertainty. Chris looked away, scowled, and turned to the door.
"Are you sick too, Miss Smith?" he said with a pause. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"I—"
"I invited Isa," Alex interrupted. "She's been working non-stop. I thought she should get a check-up before she burns out."
Chris' heart slammed hard against his ribs when Alex said her name—Isa. He almost turned to him with wide eyes, but instead shoved his free hand into his pocket and clenched his fists.
When did they get so close?
He invited her? Why? Since when did Alex start caring this much about someone who isn't his patient?
Alex was the kind of doctor who cared about his patients, sure—but never like this. He didn't make friends easily. Since when did his quiet, work-focused doctor start caring for his secretary?
Have they met before?
"I'll be leaving now, sir," Isa said, bowing first to Chris, then to Alex. "Thanks for today, Alex. I'll get going."
Chris sneered inwardly. She said "Alex" like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Very well, then.
As if he couldn't stand another second, Chris turned and walked into the hospital. Behind him, Alex escorted Isa to the exit.