The city was already alive—cars honking impatiently, pedestrians moving with purpose, and the occasional street vendor calling out to early commuters. The neon lights from last night had given way to a bright, overcast sky, casting a soft glow over the skyline.
Sophia checked the time. She was running exactly on schedule. As expected.
Her hospital loomed in the distance, a sleek, towering structure that had become more of a second home than her actual condo. She pulled into her reserved parking spot, turned off the engine, and stepped out with the practiced efficiency of someone who had done this a thousand times before.
The moment she entered the hospital, she was greeted by the familiar scent of antiseptic and freshly brewed coffee. A few nurses nodded in acknowledgment as she passed, some offering quick updates on patients she had seen the day before.
"Dr. Sophia, the director asked to see you before rounds," a young intern informed her, struggling to keep up with her brisk pace.
Sophia nodded, already anticipating the meeting. Without breaking stride, she made her way toward the elevator, her mind shifting fully into work mode.
Whatever last night had been—it was already fading into the background. Today, there were lives to tend to.
Sophia stepped into the director's office, the scent of freshly brewed coffee lingering in the air. Dr. Patel, a distinguished man in his late fifties with graying hair and sharp eyes, gestured for her to take a seat.
"Sophia," he greeted, lacing his fingers together. "I wanted to discuss the upcoming medical conference next month. The board is recommending you as one of the key speakers."
Sophia barely reacted, only tilting her head slightly. "I see."
Dr. Patel studied her. "You don't seem surprised."
"I'm not," she admitted. "It's expected."
A small chuckle escaped him. "That confidence is why you're one of our best. But I'll need your confirmation by the end of the week."
She nodded. "I'll review the details and get back to you."
The meeting wrapped up quickly, and within minutes, she was in the locker room, changing into her white coat. As soon as she stepped onto the main floor, the usual controlled chaos of the hospital enveloped her.
"Dr. Sophia, Room 302 needs an evaluation."
"Dr. Sophia, the test results for your patient just arrived."
She answered each request with her usual precision, her mind moving seamlessly from one case to the next. Hours passed in a blur—rounds, diagnostics, consultations.
It wasn't until her assistant, Clara, nudged her that she even realized it was already past noon.
"You haven't eaten," Clara pointed out, crossing her arms.
Sophia barely glanced up from her tablet. "I'll grab something later."
Clara rolled her eyes. "You say that every day."
Before Sophia could respond, an emergency alert rang through the floor. A patient was being rushed into the ER—an accident victim, bleeding heavily. Without hesitation, Sophia pushed everything else aside and strode toward the trauma room, her focus sharpening.
Work always came first.
Everything else—including a certain unexpected encounter last night—didn't matter.
Not now.
The trauma room was already in motion by the time Sophia entered, her sharp eyes scanning the scene. Nurses moved quickly, prepping the patient—a middle-aged man, his clothes soaked in blood, his breathing ragged.
"What do we have?" Sophia asked, pulling on gloves.
"Motorcycle accident," one of the paramedics reported. "Severe lacerations to the abdomen, possible internal bleeding."
Sophia's gaze flickered to the heart monitor—his vitals were unstable. They didn't have much time.
"Get me an ultrasound, now," she ordered.
A nurse wheeled the machine closer as another prepared an IV line. Sophia worked swiftly, gliding the probe over the man's abdomen, her screen flashing with internal images. Her jaw tightened.
"There's internal hemorrhaging," she confirmed. "We need to get him to the OR immediately."
The team sprang into action, transferring the patient to a gurney. Sophia walked beside them, her mind already running through the surgical procedure.
"Page Dr. Harris and get the OR prepped," she said as they pushed through the hallway.
"Yes, doctor!"
The operating room doors swung open, the overhead lights blindingly bright as Sophia scrubbed in. The scent of antiseptic filled the air, the sterile environment a stark contrast to the chaotic world outside.
As the monitors beeped steadily, Sophia took a deep breath, then nodded at her team.
"Let's begin."
Hours Later
The surgery was long and complicated, but successful. Sophia peeled off her gloves, exhaustion creeping into her limbs, but she ignored it. The patient was stable, and that was all that mattered.
Exhaling, she stepped out of the OR, rolling her shoulders. Clara was waiting for her outside, arms crossed.
"Don't even think about skipping lunch this time," Clara warned.
Sophia smirked slightly but didn't argue. Instead, she followed Clara toward the break room, where a tray of untouched food sat waiting for her.
As she sat down, finally allowing herself a moment of rest, her mind—despite everything—briefly flickered back to the girl from last night.
Jane.
But just as quickly, she pushed the thought away.
There was no reason to dwell on it.
Right?