Chapter 30
Adrian
“Where the hell have you been?” Isaac’s familiar voice comes through the line.
I shift my phone to the other ear as I walk down the hospital hallway. The day’s been long, and my brain feels like it’s running on fumes.
“Sorry, man. Life’s been hectic.”
“Everything alright?” Concern is etched in his voice.
I think about Amelia’s mom, the stroke, work, and the festival. How everything in my life has flipped upside down. How my relationship with Amelia isn’t a secret anymore.
“Yeah,” I say after a pause. “It’s all good now. Just, a lot all at once.”
Amelia’s mom isn’t my story to tell, and Isaac already knows I like Amelia. So I go with something I can share. Something he’ll understand. “I managed to raise the funds to fix the CT scanner we had,” I say, rubbing a hand over my face. “But we need a donor to buy a new one.”
Isaac goes quiet for a second. “Wait. They’ve been without one?”
“Yeah. It broke down, so patients had to get sent to the next town over.”
“Shit,” he mutters. “We’ve got six here, and even that never feels like enough.”
I nod, even though he can’t see me. “I know.” My mind flashes back to the city ward... overcrowded hallways, patients waiting hours for scans, doctors stretched too thin.
The contrast hits me harder now. How much we accomplish here with so little compared to the city, with all the resources that never seem enough.
“I’m heading out tonight. We all miss you. You gonna come back and hang out one day?” The thought of going back hasn’t crossed my mind lately. It’d be like visiting a place I used to live but no longer call home.
“Not right now, but I will at some point.” I glance toward the parking lot, thinking ahead. I’ll take Amelia with me. Make it a holiday.
“Good.”
Dr. Wilson’s voice cuts through the hallway behind me. “Hey, I need you in my office.”
“Boss man’s calling,” I tell Isaac. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Alright, later.”
I hang up, pocketing my phone as I step into Dr. Wilson’s office. The moment I do, I know something’s wrong. His face is tight as he gestures toward the chair in front of his desk. “Take a seat.”
Lowering myself down, I try to steady the nervous energy filling me. My heart is beating so hard I can hear it in my ears. This doesn’t seem good.
Dr. Wilson folds his hands on the desk. “So, you and Amelia raised enough to fix one of the CT scanners,” he says. “Good work on that. But here’s the thing, someone saw the fundraiser, saw what you and Amelia accomplished, and they want to help.”
He pauses, and I can tell there’s more coming.
“They were impressed at the way you rallied the town, got people on board; that got their attention. They reached out wanting to contribute.” He leans back in his chair. “Then the article came out.”
My stomach drops. Of course. Just when I thought I’d finally moved past all that.
“But,” Dr. Wilson continues, “This person… they actually respect that you didn’t let it stop you. Said they admire someone who doesn’t let public opinion derail them from what they care about.”
My mouth parts, and I shuffle forward in my chair. “Honestly? That’s a relief to hear. So what happens next?”
“The donor wants to stay anonymous,” Dr. Wilson says. “So I’ll handle ordering it and working with them. But I wanted you to know. What you did mattered. It’s making a real difference here. You’ve been a nice addition to this hospital.”
I rise from my chair, shoving my hands into my pockets to keep from gripping the edge of his desk. “Thanks.”
Leaving his office on a high, I walk out, shutting the door behind me.
Back at my desk, I focus on finishing up paperwork, forcing myself to push the conversation aside.
By the time I’m done, the hospital picks up with early morning activity; the day shift slipping in as I gather my things and head for the exit.
At the front desk, Nina looks up from her crossword puzzle, flashing me a warm, familiar smile. “Heading home?”
“Yeah,” I say, adjusting my grip on my briefcase. “Might make a quick stop first, though.”
“Get some rest, Dr. Pierce. You look like you’ve been put through the wringer.”
“That obvious, huh?” I chuckle.
She tuts, shaking her head. “Only because I’ve been there. Go on, get out of here.”
I thank her and step outside, the early morning air hitting my face. Instead of heading straight home, I drive to the barbershop needing a freshen up.
The familiar scent of shaving cream and aftershave greets me as I walk in.
Derek looks up and grins. “Hey. How’s it going? Come sit, I’m just finishing up.”
Nodding, I take a seat as he dusts loose hairs from the back of a customer’s neck. The man pays, exchanging a few words before heading out, leaving just me and Derek.
“How’s work?” He drapes the cape over me.
“Well, people around here love a good story.”
He laughs, running a comb through my hair. “Town life. Everyone’s got an opinion.”
“Yeah,” I mutter. “Sometimes feels like I’m under a microscope.” I catch myself before saying more. Derek’s a good guy, but news spreads fast in this place.
“Comes with the territory,” he says, flicking on the clippers. “Doesn’t help you’re always hanging around Keith, either.”
“That’s true. Everyone loves Keith.” I look down as he runs the clippers through my hair.
“Speaking of hanging out. Got any plans tonight? I’m meeting some buddies at the tavern to watch the game.”
Even though I want to see Amelia, she said she was hanging out with Aurora before she leaves. I haven’t spent any time with guys outside of work and Keith. I need to try now that I plan to stay, and this is the perfect chance.
“You know what, I should probably get some sleep first, as I just finished a night shift, but yeah, I’m in.”
Derek grins. “Good. We’ll grab some food while we’re there.”
I pull out my phone and send Keith a quick text, letting him know I won’t be home tonight. The best part? I don’t have work later, so I don’t have to stress about keeping my head clear for a shift.
“Same cut as last time?” Derek asks.
“Yes, please.”
We talk a little about sports, work, even Amelia. I try not to dwell too much on that last topic. She called me yesterday, but it was brief, just enough to remind me how much I miss her. Talking about her makes me miss her that much more, so I try to avoid it today.
By the time Derek finishes, I feel at least somewhat put together again. He dusts off my collar. “Well, at least you’ll be looking fresh tonight.”
“Yeah, thanks to you.”
He laughs. “You need a ride tonight?”
“Nah, I’m good. If Keith’s home, he can drop me off, or I’ll drive. Not planning on having a big one.”
“Loosening up wouldn’t kill you, man,” he says, patting my back. “You’ve been through a hell of a transition. Let yourself enjoy it.”
I nod. “Maybe you’re right.”
When I wake from a nap, my phone screen glows with a notification. I rub the sleep from my eyes and open it. My heart lodges in my throat as I read the headline:
Dr. Pierce: A True Healer at Heart
My pulse spikes. I can already tell who wrote it.
Amelia.
She’s trying to make me look good, to change the narrative. She didn’t have to do this. But she did. It’s her way of owning our relationship and crossing a professional boundary to set me in a good light.
I read through it, something raw twisting inside me.
In a world where medical professionals are often scrutinized, it’s easy to overlook the ones who go above and beyond the call of duty. Dr. Pierce is one of those rare individuals. A doctor who not only saves lives within the hospital but also carries his dedication beyond his scheduled shifts.
Recently, at the home of Evangeline Richards, he showcased exactly what it means to be a doctor, not just in title, but in action.
While others were enjoying dinner, Dr. Pierce was saving a life.
When Ms. Richards suffered a sudden medical emergency, it was his quick thinking and expertise that prevented a tragedy.
With steady hands, he assessed her condition and took immediate action, getting her the help she needed before it was too late.
Without him, Ms. Richards might not be here today.
And this wasn’t an isolated incident.
Stories like these define true heroism. It’s not about recognition or reward; it’s about instinct, compassion, and an unshakable commitment to humanity.
Dr. Pierce doesn’t just wear the title of doctor. He embodies it.
While others may see him through the distorted lens of controversy, I see the man who saves lives. I see a doctor who sacrifices his own time and energy to protect others. I see someone who deserves our respect, our gratitude, and above all, our trust.
In the end, the truth speaks louder than any headline. And the truth is, Dr. Pierce is the kind of doctor the world desperately needs more of.
Amelia
I read it a few times, each word sinking in deeper. My throat tightens, but not in the way it usually does when I see my name in an article. This time, it’s different. There’s no judgment, no twisted angle, just the truth.
She calls me a hero.
I’m not. I was just doing my job. But it hits me hard that she sees me that way, that she’s willing to fight for me when only a few people have. And fuck, when I haven’t even fought for myself.
I rub the back of my neck. It’s been a long time since someone believed in me like this. Since someone looked past the noise and saw me for who I really am.
Keith just pulled into the driveway. I want to call Amelia, but this conversation needs more than a rushed few minutes before Keith barges in asking about dinner plans. This deserves a private conversation.
I pull out my phone and send her a quick text.
Me: I read the article. Thank you.
I hesitate, my thumb hovering over the keyboard before I add another message.
Me: Really. It means a lot.
No over-explaining. No overthinking. Just the truth.
I grab my keys and head out.
Tonight, I’ll let myself breathe. I’ll go out, have a drink, and for once, not overthink every damn thing.