No More Waiting, She Chooses Love



"Sorry, the number you've dialed is currently unavailable!"

Yates had tried calling Fanny several times by now, and each attempt ended with the same frustrating outcome.

This felt off to him. Even if Fanny was in the middle of surgery, her phone would ring without being answered, but it wouldn't be completely unreachable. Could her phone have died? In their line of work, such an oversight was almost unheard of. They needed to be reachable at all times in case of an emergency call to the operating room.

"Yates,"

came Milly's voice, interrupting his thoughts.

He pocketed his phone and turned to her, his expression cool, his words unspoken.

Milly could see his mood but pretended not to notice. "Yates, the patient's family has a few more questions for you."

"Didn't I make myself clear earlier? What more do they want to know?" Yates's reply was sharp, his patience thinning.

Milly's lips twitched into a small, resigned smile, her voice soft and slightly coaxing, "I know, but you understand how it is with patients' families. They always want to know a bit more, to find out if there's possibly a better solution."

But her gentle approach didn't sway Yates. He was blunt. "You handle it. I need to leave now."

Anxiety had been gnawing at Yates all day, especially since parting ways with Fanny. The feeling had only grown stronger. He had come to the hospital with Fanny's blessing, but for some reason, he couldn't shake off the unease.

"Yates," Milly reached out to stop him, "you're already here. A few more minutes won't hurt."

This time, Yates's glance was icy as he replied, "Let go."

Milly's face stiffened. She couldn't recall how many times Yates had snapped at her over Fanny. She had her pride too. It was only because her feelings for him that she

of

tolerated his behavior. Anyone else,

and she wouldn't have bothered.

S

Letting go, Milly watched Yates's determined departure, his hurried steps. It was clear to her that no matter how hard she tried, his heart was out of reach. If that was the case, then it was time for her to withdraw her own.

"Ms. Milly, where's Dr. Yates?" the concerned family member asked, catching up.

Milly quickly masked her emotions, offering a strained smile, "I'm sorry, Dr. Yates had to leave... something came up with his girlfriend."

"Huh," the person scoffed, clearly unimpressed, "Dr. Yates sure acts high and mighty. We've been waiting all day, and he barely spent a few minutes before rushing off again. He didn't even fully explain the medical situation."

A flicker of darkness crossed Milly'sCcontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

eyes, but she maintained a pleasant facade, explaining, "Dr. Yates and his girlfriend haven't seen each other for months. Today was a rare

opportunity for them... please, try to understand."

en.k

S

"People who only have eyes for their lovers can't accomplish great things. As a doctor, to neglect his duties for a romance, where's his professional ethics?" After a flurry of complaints, the person left in a huff.

Soon after, Milly heard them making a call to lodge a complaint with the senior consultant, her eyes narrowing slightly. In a world where it's every person for themselves, she had to secure either love or her career.

Yates's search led him to the

d.ne

hospital, only to find no sign of Fanny. Next, he tried her apartment Having stayed over before, his fingerprint granted him access but the place was eerily quiet, empty. Her shoes from earlier that day were missing, her bag gone too.

He had called Fanny's phone countless times, each attempt met with silence. The messages he sent went unanswered. All these signs filled Yates with an unsettling feeling that something was profoundly wrong.