Chapter 844

Ethan Roscente stood outside Vivian Laurent's door, the third cigarette between his fingers burned down to the filter.

His brow furrowed as he stared at the firmly shut entrance.

Just yesterday, everything had been normal. Today, the world had turned upside down.

Even when he'd barged into her bathroom and kissed her without permission, she hadn't reacted this severely.

What had gone wrong this time?

The ashtray overflowed with cigarette butts, yet Ethan couldn't piece together an answer.

Upstairs, the curtains trembled slightly as Vivian watched him through the gap.

Her fingers clenched the fabric until her knuckles turned white.

"I'm sorry..." she whispered silently.

But her decision was made. There was no other choice.

She needed to wrap up her hospital duties quickly.

As a consultant specialist, she didn't have fixed clinic hours to begin with.

"Dr. Laurent, don't take those online comments to heart," Dean Remetio adjusted his glasses. "I'll arrange an extended leave for you to recover."

Vivian shook her head. "That's not why."

"Then—"

"Personal matters. I may need one or two years."

The dean's expression tightened. "That long? How can we help?"

Her lips pressed into a faint smile. "There's nothing you can do."

A pause. "Though I could consult remotely on one critical case each month."

"Perfect!" The dean looked relieved. "The hospital will always welcome you back."

The rooftop wind tangled Vivian's hair as she stood beside Nathan Clementson, his lab coat flapping like a sail.

"I'm leaving for a while, Nathan."

"Where to?"

"Just... traveling."

Nathan chuckled. "Go. Do what you need to do."

He always supported her without question.

"No attempt to stop me?"

"Hospitals can't contain you." His gaze drifted toward the horizon. "You'll shine wherever you are."

Vivian's eyes burned.

This mentor who always stood behind her understood her better than anyone.