I couldn't keep letting myself feel this way every time I saw Lucas. Yes, it was my fault—I fully admitted that—but that didn’t mean I had to keep pitying myself. I needed to accept that whatever we had was over. I had ended it.
So, I used the pain as motivation. I pushed myself harder, studied more, stayed focused. Even when it felt like a knife twisting deeper every time I saw Lucas walking down the hallway with Dra. Ivy at his side. I didn’t know if they were doing it on purpose or if I was just too sensitive, but either way, it didn’t matter. Just one more week. One more week, and my internship would be over. Then, I could finally leave this hospital—and him—behind.
“Vivienne, focus.” Dra. Clara’s sharp voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I blinked and turned my attention back to the patient lying on the hospital bed in front of us. We were in the ICU, and the monitors beeped steadily, a rhythmic reminder of life hanging in the balance.
“This is a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage,” Dra. Clara continued, motioning to the CT scan displayed on the screen beside the bed. “You can see the hyperdense areas here, indicating the presence of blood in the subarachnoid space. The patient was brought in with a sudden, severe headache—thunderclap headache, as we call it—along with nausea and loss of consciousness.”
I swallowed hard, pushing away my personal thoughts.
“The aneurysm was located in the anterior communicating artery,” Dra. Clara went on, “which is one of the most common sites. The neurosurgical team already performed a coiling procedure to prevent further rupture. Vivienne, tell me, what is the priority in managing cases like this post-surgery?”
I straightened. “Monitoring for vasospasm, ma’am. It usually occurs within three to fourteen days after the bleed, leading to delayed cerebral ischemia. We need to closely observe the patient’s neurological status and maintain triple-H therapy—hypertension, hypervolemia, and hemodilution—to prevent complications.”
Dra. Clara nodded in approval. “Good. And what medication is commonly used to reduce the risk of vasospasm?”
“Nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker,” I answered immediately. “It helps improve cerebral blood flow and reduces the risk of ischemic deficits.”
A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “At least you’re studying.”
I exhaled silently, relieved that I had given the right answers. But as we moved to the next patient, my eyes flickered toward the hallway—and just for a second, they landed on Lucas.
He was walking past the ICU entrance, deep in conversation with Dra. Ivy. I should’ve looked away, but my gaze stayed locked onto them. I noted the way he nodded at whatever she was saying, the way his hands were tucked into his pockets, the way he looked… normal. As if the past between us had never happened.
A lump formed in my throat, but I forced myself to focus.
This was exactly why I needed to leave.
My routine had become second nature—rounds, nurse station, answering Dra. Clara’s unexpected questions that she liked to throw at me out of nowhere. At first, they caught me off guard, but over time, I started to appreciate them. It was like an unspoken review session, keeping me sharp even during long shifts.
And now, it was finally over.
Today marked the last day of my internship.
I should’ve felt nothing but relief. Instead, there was this strange weight in my chest, a quiet sort of heaviness I didn’t know how to shake off.
I hadn’t seen Lucas since that day outside the ICU. Not even a glimpse. And now that it was over, I wondered if this was how it was supposed to end—me quietly walking away while he remained a figure in the distance, getting further and further away.
Which was for the best… right?
“Vivienne.”
Dra. Clara’s gentle voice pulled me from my thoughts. There was warmth in her tone, steady and reassuring, like she had all the time in the world to talk.
I turned to her as she set down a clipboard, her movements smooth and unhurried. She always carried herself with grace—kind yet authoritative in a way that made people naturally respect her.
“You’ve done well these past months,” she said with a small smile. “You have a sharp mind, and you don’t panic under pressure. That’s a strength not everyone has.”
A quiet warmth spread in my chest at her words. Praise from Dra. Clara wasn’t given lightly—not because she was distant, but because she meant everything she said.
“Thank you, ” I said, standing a little straighter.
She studied me for a moment, then softened her tone. “Medicine is demanding, but so are the people who dedicate their lives to it. Take care of yourself, Vivienne. Wherever you go next, make sure it’s where your heart truly belongs.”
Her words settled deep, leaving an imprint I knew I wouldn’t forget.
No regrets.
Easier said than done.
After a few more moments, I stepped out of the hospital, the weight of the past few months settling on me. My body was exhausted, but my mind—my heart—felt restless.
“Finally free, huh?”
I barely had a second to react before Noah yanked something from my pocket.
“My tourniquet,” I gasped, reaching for it, but he easily dodged.
“You don’t need it anymore,” he grinned. “Might as well put it to good use.”
“Buy your own,” I huffed, grabbing it back and tying my hair up with it. The afternoon wind had already messed it up beyond saving.
We started walking toward a nearby coffee shop, side by side, as the golden hues of the setting sun stretched across the pavement.
“So,” Noah started, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “What’s next for you?”
I shrugged. “Reviewing, I guess.”
“Obviously.” He gave me a pointed look. “I mean after that, genius.”
I sighed, kicking a loose pebble on the sidewalk. “If I pass the licensure exam… med school. Probably Harvard or Johns Hopkins. Depends where I get in.”
Noah hummed, nodding like I just told him I was running an errand. “Alright. I’m coming with you.”
I stopped in my tracks and turned to him. “What, you’re just going to follow me across the world?”
He smirked. “Why? Don’t want me around?”
I hesitated, then narrowed my eyes, lips curling into a teasing grin. “Wait… don’t tell me you like me?”
His face twisted in mock horror. “Disgusting. Let’s go.”
I laughed as he walked ahead, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe he was even having this conversation.
I glanced at the hospital one last time before looking forward.
This was it—the end of one chapter.
And the start of something.
"Viv, aren’t you going to eat?" Rain's knock on my bedroom door startled me.
I blinked, snapping out of my trance. I had been staring at the same line in my review book for the past ten minutes without really absorbing anything.
I glanced at the clock—almost 11 PM.
For nearly two months after my internship ended, I had been buried in an intense review. The licensure exam wasn’t something to take lightly, and failing was not an option. The thought of retaking it, of delaying my plans, was something I refused to entertain. My goal was clear—I had to pass on my first try so I could move straight to medical school.
That was all that mattered.
For two months, I had been turning down every invitation from Alessa and Rain. Even when Alessa came over, I barely spent time with her, locking myself in my room, flipping through books, highlighting notes, solving practice questions. I wasn’t avoiding her because she was Lucas’s sister—I just couldn’t afford distractions.
And maybe, deep down, I was afraid.
I knew she was aware of what had happened between me and Lucas. But she never brought it up. Not once. And I was grateful for that. There was no awkwardness between us, no probing questions, just quiet understanding.
Still, the weight of it lingered.
I sighed and ran a hand down my face.
"Yeah, I’m coming!"
Pushing my glasses up onto my head, I stretched before stepping out of my room, still dressed in silk sleepwear.
The moment I entered the dining area, the rich, creamy aroma of food hit me, and my stomach twisted in response. Only then did I realize just how hungry I was.
"Carbonara? Wow, did you order this?" I asked as I walked over to the dish rack, grabbing bowls for both of us.
Rain, still arranging the plates, didn’t even look up. "No."
Her answer was short, almost dismissive. I squinted at her, trying to gauge if she was being sarcastic or if she really wasn’t the one who ordered it.
Maybe Cloud did.
I could ask, but honestly, it didn’t matter. Right now, I just needed to eat.
Weeks turned into months.
The exam date was finally here.
Noah had offered to pick me up so we could head to the testing center together.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, smoothing out my outfit. Since there was no strict dress code, I had chosen a fitted tube top tucked into high-waisted baggy jeans. It was comfortable but still put-together. I fastened a few accessories, simple but elegant, before reaching for my low-cut boots—the ones I hadn't worn in a while.
They made me feel grounded. Confident. In control.
And I needed that right now.
I took a deep breath, pressing my hands against the cool surface of the dresser.
This was it. Months of preparation, sleepless nights, and sacrifices had led to this day.
I had to be ready.
It was Monday. At exactly 8 AM, I stepped out of my apartment.
The moment I walked outside, I spotted Noah waiting by his car. He was leaning against the door, arms crossed, but the second he saw me, he grinned and waved.
I found myself smiling back.
But then, as if a cold breeze had swept past me, my smile slowly faded.
A familiar ache resurfaced—one I had been trying so hard to suppress.
Still no signs of Lucas.
I had told myself not to expect anything. I knew better. But some foolish part of me had still hoped.
Hoped that he would at least send a message. That he would acknowledge this moment.
But nothing.
Maybe, between the two of us, I was the only one who still remembered.
I swallowed hard and clenched my fists.
Not now, Vivienne. Focus.
I had worked too hard for this. I couldn't afford to let emotions get in the way.
You want to catch up to Lucas, don’t you? You want to prove yourself? Then you need to excel. You need to succeed. You need to show that you’re capable of standing on your own.
With a deep breath, I straightened my posture, pushing all my doubts aside as I walked toward Noah.
I knew I couldn't let my heart lead me astray.
I had principles. I had goals. And I refused to let myself down.
"You ready?" Noah exhaled, rolling his shoulders as if trying to shake off his nerves.
I chuckled, tilting my head at him. "Why is the hospital owner's son the one looking nervous?"
"Shut up. If I fail this, you might see me as an engineering student next semester," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. On impulse, I playfully smacked his shoulder—a little too hard, judging by the way he glared at me.
For a brief moment, the tension in my chest loosened.
This was it.
Everything we had gone through—the exhaustion, the pressure, the heartbreak—it had all led to this moment.
I had been scared. I had felt overwhelmed. I had fallen, and I had gotten hurt.
But in the end, I was still standing, still moving forward toward the future I had chosen for myself.
And wherever life takes me from here…
I can only hope that someday, our paths will cross again.