7. Lillian
LILLIAN
L illian had never felt more exposed—or more powerful.
She stood in front of the mirror in her tiny apartment, her pale blue gown hugging her body in all the right places.
The fabric shimmered softly under the light, catching on the curves of her waist and flowing down to the floor in an effortless cascade.
The color was perfect—a delicate blue that seemed to make her green eyes look even brighter, more striking.
Her long blonde hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, giving her an ethereal quality she rarely saw in herself.
Usually, people only saw her in scrubs or casual clothes—something practical for the long hours in the hospital. But tonight, she was unrecognizable.
Benji, her best friend and fellow intern, whistled low as he leaned against the doorframe, a wide grin plastered on his face. "Girl, I don’t think anyone’s going to be able to focus on their speeches tonight. You look...wow. Seriously."
Lillian smiled, turning to give him a playful look. "You’re just saying that because you’re trying to match me."
Benji was dressed to the nines himself in a perfectly tailored black suit, looking far more polished than usual.
He winked at her, straightening his tie in the mirror.
"I mean, I’m not saying I don’t look damn good, but tonight, it’s all you, babe.
Pale blue dress? Blonde hair? You’re going to steal the show. "
Lillian let out a soft laugh, smoothing her hands over the fabric of her dress one last time before turning to Benji. "Well, I’m just glad you’re coming with me. You know I’d never survive this thing alone. There are going to be vultures everywhere."
Benji shot her a sympathetic look. "Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. No one’s going to be hassling you with me around. Plus, it’ll be fun to watch all the surgeons in their fancy gowns and tuxes. They think they’re untouchable, but get them near champagne, and suddenly they’re human again."
Lillian grinned. "You’re just here for the free booze, aren’t you?"
"Absolutely," Benji said with a wink. "But hey, if I get to protect you from hospital gossip and dance a little, it’s a win-win."
The ballroom was breathtaking. The soft glow of crystal chandeliers reflected off the shimmering gowns and perfectly polished floors.
Everywhere Lillian looked, there were surgeons, hospital administrators, and prestigious medical professionals—people who usually only crossed her path in sterile hallways, scrubbed in and focused on the task at hand.
But here, they were polished and refined, wearing their wealth and status like badges of honor.
Lillian felt the weight of it all—the legacy of the Harrington name and expectations that came with being in this room—but tonight, she felt ready to face it.
Her head was high, her shoulders squared.
If anyone expected the youngest Harrington to be the wallflower in the corner, they were in for a surprise.
Benji slipped his arm through hers as they descended the grand staircase into the ballroom. He leaned in close, whispering in her ear, "I swear, I’ve already seen at least three people stop dead in their tracks when they saw you."
Lillian’s smile widened. "They’re probably just confused about who I am."
"Please. You look like you stepped out of a magazine," Benji teased. "If you weren’t so damn smart, I’d tell you to ditch surgery and go model for the cover of Vogue ."
Lillian rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress her smile. "Thanks, Benji. But you know this isn’t really my scene."
"It’s no one’s scene. These events are for people who like to pretend they’re more important than they are," Benji quipped, grabbing a glass of champagne off a passing tray and handing it to her. "But we’re here to have fun and make an impression. And trust me, you’re already doing both."
As they moved through the crowd, Lillian noticed the glances—admiring, curious, even a few envious looks from women who clearly weren’t used to seeing her like this.
She had always blended into the background in the hospital, just another face in the sea of interns.
But tonight, she felt different. Tonight, she felt seen.
"Lillian, is that you?"
She turned to see Dr. Mitchell, one of the attending surgeons she had worked with briefly in the trauma department, approaching her with an amused smile. "I almost didn’t recognize you. Wow. You look...stunning."
Lillian felt a flush creep up her neck, but she kept her voice light. "Thanks, Dr. Mitchell. I’m usually a bit more scrubbed up at work."
"Well, clearly you clean up well," he said, his eyes still wide in admiration. "Enjoy the gala."
As Dr. Mitchell walked away, Benji leaned in again, whispering conspiratorially, "See? I told you. You’re killing it."
Lillian chuckled, taking a sip of her champagne. "It’s just a dress, Benji."
"No, it’s not," Benji said, giving her a pointed look. "It’s confidence. And you’ve got it in spades tonight."
They moved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and dodging a few overly enthusiastic colleagues who were already a little too deep into their drinks.
Lillian found herself feeling more comfortable than she expected.
With Benji by her side, cracking jokes and offering playful commentary on the people around them, the evening felt less like a battlefield and more like a game she was starting to enjoy.
"Is that Catherine Harrington?" Benji whispered, nodding toward one corner of the ballroom where Lillian’s eldest half-sister stood, elegantly commanding a group of surgeons in conversation.
Lillian’s smile tightened slightly. "Yeah. That’s her."
"She looks intense. Does she ever loosen up?"
"Not really," Lillian admitted, her eyes flicking away from her sister before Catherine could spot her. "Catherine’s always been...well, Catherine."
Benji shrugged, his eyes scanning the room. "At least Roz is here too. I love Roz. She’s always fun."
Lillian laughed. "That’s because Roz doesn’t care what anyone thinks. She’s the only one who ever let me sneak out of Sunday lunches when I needed a break."
"See? She’s your hero," Benji said, laughing along with her.
As they moved through the room, Lillian received more compliments—on her gown, her appearance, even a few admiring glances from surgeons who had never seen her outside of a surgical mask.
She was careful to keep the conversation light, smiling and nodding, but all the while, she felt the strange absence of someone she hadn’t seen yet.
Rebecca.
Lillian’s heart gave a little flutter at the thought of her.
She hadn’t mentioned the gala during their last late-night rendezvous, and part of Lillian wondered if Rebecca had even planned on coming.
But a larger part of her knew Rebecca wouldn’t miss this.
It was too important for someone like her, with her reputation and family ties.
Rebecca would be here somewhere, and the thought of seeing her in this setting made Lillian’s pulse race.
Would Rebecca notice her tonight? Would she say anything about the dress, about how different Lillian looked outside of the hospital walls? Or would she keep the same cold distance she always did outside of their secret moments?
Lillian’s thoughts were interrupted as another colleague approached her, offering yet another compliment on her gown. She smiled politely, making small talk, but her mind was elsewhere, her eyes scanning the room in search of one face—the one face she wanted to see more than anyone else.
And yet, Rebecca was nowhere to be found.
Benji returned with another glass of champagne for her, his expression mischievous. "Still searching for your mystery lover?"
Lillian nearly choked on her drink. "What? No!" she sputtered, her face flushing.
Benji raised an eyebrow, his smile wide. "Oh please, I know that look. You’ve been scanning the room for someone all night. Who is it?"
"It’s no one," Lillian said quickly, brushing off his comment. "I’m just...trying to survive the night, that’s all."
Benji gave her a knowing look but didn’t press further. "Well, whoever it is, I hope they know they’re missing out. You’re the star of the night."
Lillian smiled, grateful for Benji’s lightheartedness, but her mind couldn’t help but drift back to Rebecca. Where was she?
And when she finally did see her, what would happen next?