Sienna stepped out of the sterilized room, her pulse still racing. The beeping of the monitor echoed in her mind, a reminder of how close death had come. Her hands trembled slightly as she moved down the long, eerily quiet hallway of the Miller mansion. The adrenaline that had surged through her just moments ago now made her limbs feel heavy and her heart unsteady. But it wasn't just fear from a medical emergency that shook her - something deeper had stirred.
As her gaze lifted, her eyes met the cold, calculating stare of Mrs. Miller. The woman stood at the end of the hallway, her arms crossed, her presence commanding and furious.
"You!" Mrs. Miller's voice pierced the silence like a blade. "What the hell happened in there? Why did the monitors go off? Why wasn't I informed immediately? You were supposed to..."
Sienna's shoulders tensed, but her exhaustion overpowered her urge to defend herself. Her body moved on autopilot, walking straight past Mrs. Miller without a word. Right now, she couldn't summon the strength to argue. She needed space. Air. Clarity.
She found herself in the guest bathroom. The moment the door closed behind her, she leaned against it, exhaling shakily. Her reflection in the mirror revealed the chaos she tried to bury - tired eyes, pale skin, and a clenched jaw.
Sienna turned the tap and splashed cold water on her face. The icy shock made her gasp, grounding her, if only a little. She stared at herself. What is wrong with me? Why do I feel like this?
She had witnessed emergencies like this before: seizures, cardiac arrests, and worse. But this one had shaken her to her core. Was it because of how sudden it was? Or was it because it was him?
The way Alexander's body convulsed, the suddenness of it, the fragility in his stillness afterward—it had left her breathless. But it wasn't just medical concern that unsettled her. It was the way her heart twisted at the thought of losing him. A patient, yes. But also… something more?
No, she told herself firmly. That's not possible.
And yet, the tug in her chest said otherwise.
Outside, the sharp click of heels echoed, and she knew Mrs. Miller was still there, simmering with impatience. Sienna wiped her face with a towel and steadied herself. She couldn't fall apart. Not now.
Her hand rested on the sink as her thoughts spiraled. She remembered the moments when her fingers brushed against Alexander's skin as she'd administered treatment. The faint flicker of movement in his hand earlier. The strange warmth in her chest each time she looked at him.
This wasn't part of the job. A light knock broke through her thoughts. "Sienna," Mrs. Miller's voice came through the door, curt and cold. "I expect an explanation. " Sienna took one last look in the mirror and exhaled. Then she opened the door. Their eyes met again, but this time, Sienna didn't look away.
"I'll handle it," she said, her voice calm but resolute. "You'll get your answers when I have them." Mrs. Miller's expression twisted in displeasure, but Sienna had already walked past her. She didn't get far before the nausea hit her. Her steps faltered, and she felt her balance shift. One of the bodyguards, who had been following her silently, reached out and caught her just in time.
"Are you alright, Miss?" He asked, his tone surprisingly gentle. She didn't answer immediately. Her stomach churned, and she tapped his arm twice. Without needing further instruction, he guided her toward a private backroom. There, she barely made it to the sink before vomiting.
Wiping her mouth, she muttered to herself, "Why is all this happening?" She had witnessed worse and kept her composure. So why now? Why him?
A flood of questions filled her mind, but she had no answers.
Later, she returned to the sterilized room. Alexander lay still, his vitals stabilized, but the image of his convulsing body still haunted her. She checked his pulse, adjusted his IV, and placed the necessary fluids he'd need should another seizure occur.
At exactly 6:00 p.m., she did a final check of all his vitals. Everything seemed in order—for now. With a heavy heart, she walked to the study, expecting to debrief Mrs. Miller. But when she entered, another woman was sitting adjacent to her. She looked to be in her mid-forties, her presence calm but firm.
"Sit," Mrs. Miller commanded, not even sparing her a glance. "This is Agartha. She'll be taking over night duty. She has extensive experience."
Sienna blinked, caught off guard. "I'll show her what she needs to know then," she replied calmly. "If there's nothing else, you can leave," Mrs. Miller cut in sharply. Stunned by the dismissiveness, Sienna rose quietly. The other woman followed her.
"I'm Agartha," she said gently, trying to catch up to Sienna's quick strides. "Sienna," she replied coolly. She briefed Agartha in the sterilized room, explaining protocols and what to do if complications arose. She mentioned the lab's number in case of emergencies.
As they left the room, Sienna turned to her. "I know I might seem a bit… off. A lot has happened today. Please bear with me." Agartha nodded, saying nothing. That silence comforted Sienna more than words.
Outside the mansion, Sienna dialed a familiar number. The ringing only lasted a few seconds.
"Hello?" "Hi, Anthony. It's me… Sienna." "Enna! It's been forever! What's going on? You sound down."
Anthony had always been her rock—since college, when they first met at freshman orientation for med students. He had supported her emotionally and even financially when she needed it. Now, he ran a successful private clinic.
"I… need your advice. When are you free?" She asked softly. He didn't hesitate. "Let's meet at that little restaurant we used to go to. I'll text you the time. Don't worry, I'll make it work."
"I don't want to burden..." "Stop," he interrupted firmly. "You reached out, and I know you. If it weren't important, you wouldn't have." "Alright," she said quietly. "Talk soon."
As she hung up, she closed her eyes.
Whatever this strange feeling was - fear, confusion, or something dangerously close to attachment - she needed clarity before it consumed her.
And Anthony might be the only person who could help her find it.