Chapter 488

The operating room lights finally dimmed.

Vivian Laurent removed her surgical mask, her bangs soaked with sweat. She leaned against the wall as she exited, her legs heavy as lead.

The coronary artery bypass graft had lasted seven grueling hours.

Since stepping through the hospital doors at 8 AM, she'd been spinning like a top. Emergency department. ICU. Cardiac surgery. She'd practically circled the entire inpatient tower.

The clock now read 1:13 AM.

Her stomach growled in protest. Vivian realized she hadn't eaten in over eighteen hours.

Pushing open her office door, she froze.

Ethan Roscente sat in her swivel chair, flipping through a medical journal.

"Get out." Her voice came out hoarse.

Ethan closed the magazine and stood. "I brought you dinner."

Several thermal containers sat on the coffee table. The faint aroma of braised ribs made her stomach clench again.

"Not interested." She marched to her desk and began organizing patient charts.

Ethan suddenly knelt, popping open a container lid. Steam rose in a wispy plume under the fluorescent lights.

"At least have some soup." He ladled a portion into a bowl. "Your throat sounds raw."

Vivian stared at the offering and laughed. "What's this act about?"

"I'm just worried about you."

"Worried?" She slammed a chart onto the desk. "Then you should know you're the last person I want to see."

His hand froze mid-air.

Silence swallowed the office. Only the wall clock's ticking filled the void.

Vivian grabbed her lab coat and moved toward the door.

"Five minutes." Ethan's voice stopped her. "Just five."

"Three." She held up three fingers. "Or I call security."

His lips twisted wryly. "Still as stubborn as ever."

"Two."

"At least eat something—"

"One."

Ethan exhaled and headed for the exit. His hand paused on the doorknob. "I'll wait in the parking lot."

"Don't bother." She didn't look up. "I'm staying in the on-call room tonight."

The moment the door clicked shut, she collapsed into her chair. The rib soup still steamed, its rich scent permeating the space.

Vivian studied the bowl for a long moment before finally reaching for it.