After Harley left, I moved slowly to my bed and sank onto it, burying my face in my hands as soft sobs escaped me again.
That night flashed in my mind — his voice, the words I wasn't meant to hear, the fear that followed. I wiped my tears away.
Slowly, I rose to my feet, determination settling within me. I made a quiet promise in my heart — I would fix the distance between us.
"When I'm done with you, Harley," I murmured softly, "you won't have a choice but to forgive me."
With that resolve, I walked toward the bathroom, undressed, and stepped into the shower. Warm water cascaded over me as I stood beneath it, letting the heat soothe the ache in my chest while I washed my long brown hair.
Back in my bedroom, dressed in a two-piece pajama set, I slipped beneath the covers. The ceiling blurred above me as sleep slowly took over.
Morning came far too quickly.
I jolted upright the moment I remembered my interview at the local hospital.
Shit.
Throwing off the layers of blankets, I scrambled out of bed. The room quickly turned chaotic as clothes flew everywhere while I searched for something remotely professional.
Minutes later, I stood before the full-length mirror, taking in my reflection. A white button-down shirt was tucked neatly into a knee-length black pencil skirt, my hair swept up into a messy bun. After a light touch of makeup, I gave myself one last look before stepping out of my room.
As I walked down the stairs, I saw Mrs. Huang by the main door, slipping on her coat. My eyes widened when I noticed two suitcases beside her. Panic washed over me as I hurried toward her. "Morning, Auntie. Where are you going?"
Mrs. Huang smiled warmly. "Morning, honey. I'm joining my husband in Hawaii. We'll be back in a couple of months."
A couple of months?
Before I could say anything, she added, "Make sure to make up with Harley. He can be stubborn, but he'll come around." Then she pulled me into a warm hug before exiting the mansion.
When I turned around, I saw Harley standing at the bottom of the stairs, immaculately dressed, watching me with cold, distant eyes.
I opened my mouth to greet him, but he walked past me without a word, slipping on his shoes before exiting the building. The door slammed shut behind him. My body shivered.
Back in the kitchen, I made myself a cup of coffee and drank it in one go before heading out. Mr. Lu was waiting inside the BMW.
I opened the door and slipped into the seat behind the passenger seat. "Morning, Mr. Lu."
"Good morning, Miss Huo. Where to?"
As I buckled my seatbelt, I replied, "Seojin General Hospital."
Mr. Lu nodded and drove off. The ride was quiet. I took out my phone and quickly sent Amy a text to confirm our lunch date.
The car came to a stop in front of the hospital. I thanked him and stepped out. The building before me stood tall and majestic. I paused for a moment, taking in its intricate design.
Taking a steady breath, I straightened my posture and walked toward the entrance with quiet confidence. Outwardly calm, composed, and professional. But inside, my heart pounded relentlessly against my chest.
You can do this, Sophie, I told myself. You didn't come all this way to fail.
With that thought, I pushed the doors open and stepped inside Seojin General Hospital.
The interior was bright and bustling, filled with the soft beeping of machines and hurried footsteps echoing through the halls. I approached the reception desk and offered a polite smile. "Good morning. I'm here for an interview with Chief Wang."
The receptionist nodded and gestured down the hallway. "Third floor, last office on the right."
"Thank you."
As I walked toward the elevator, two nurses passed by, their voices low but clear enough to catch fragments of their conversation.
"Did you hear? Mr. Huang donated again."
"The entire new wing, right? He practically owns half this hospital."
"He's so handsome… but cold. No one ever gets close to him."
My steps faltered for just a second before I forced myself forward.
Harley.
Even here… I couldn't escape him.
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside, steadying my breath as the doors slid shut.
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime. I stepped out and followed the hallway until I reached the last office on the right. Taking a steady breath, I knocked gently.
"Come in."
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Behind the large wooden desk sat a middle-aged man with kind yet sharp eyes, his presence calm but authoritative.
"Good morning, Chief Wang," I greeted politely.
He studied me for a moment before offering a small, welcoming smile. "Good morning. You must be Sophie Huo."
"Yes, sir."
"Please, have a seat."
I sat across from him, keeping my posture straight, hands folded neatly in my lap.
"I've reviewed your file," he continued, glancing briefly at the documents before returning his gaze to me. "Your academic record is impressive. Studying abroad for four years is no small feat."
"Thank you, sir."
He nodded slowly, observing me with quiet attentiveness. "Tell me, Miss Huo… why did you choose to return to Seojin General Hospital?"
For a brief second, my heart tightened — but I maintained my composure.
"This is home," I replied calmly. "And I want to serve where I belong."
Chief Wang watched me closely, as if weighing more than just my words. Then, a faint smile appeared.
"I see."
Chief Wang leaned back slightly in his chair, fingers resting lightly on the desk. "Tell me, Miss Huo, what is your specialty?"
"I focused on internal medicine during my studies," I replied confidently. "But I also completed rotations in emergency care and pediatrics. I prefer internal medicine because it allows me to build long-term relationships with patients and treat underlying causes rather than just symptoms."
His brows lifted slightly, impressed but reserved. "And how do you handle pressure?"
"I stay calm," I answered without hesitation. "Patients look to us for reassurance. If we panic, they panic. I believe composure is just as important as knowledge."
A small smile tugged at his lips. "That's a wise answer."
He closed the file in front of him and met my eyes directly. "We need doctors who are competent, but also steady. From what I see, you are both."
My heart skipped.
"I would like to offer you a position in the internal medicine department, effective immediately."
For a moment, I wasn't sure I had heard him correctly. "Effective immediately?"
He nodded. "If you're ready."
A wave of relief washed over me, but I kept my posture straight. "I am ready, sir."
"Good," Chief Wang replied warmly. "Welcome to Seojin General Hospital, Dr. Huo."
Chief Wang offered a warm smile. "If you'll excuse yourself, you may head to administrative services on the second floor to collect your badge, uniform, and pager."
I rose from my seat. "Thank you, Chief Wang."
"Welcome to Seojin General Hospital, Dr. Huo."
The title sent a quiet thrill through me.
Stepping out of his office, I exhaled slowly, allowing myself a brief moment to process everything. Then I made my way toward the elevator, pressing the button for the second floor.
Administrative services was tucked neatly at the end of the hallway. A woman behind the counter looked up as I approached.
"Hi, I'm Sophie Huo. I was just hired in internal medicine."
She smiled politely and typed something into her computer. "Congratulations, Dr. Huo. One moment."
After a few minutes, she handed me a neatly folded white coat, a hospital badge clipped to a lanyard, and a pager.
I stared at the badge for a second — Dr. Sophie Huo, Internal Medicine.
It felt real now.
"Thank you," I said softly before stepping away from the counter.
I ran my thumb over the name on the badge — Dr. Sophie Huo. For the first time since returning, I felt steady.