43.Its Her birthday!
The rain had softened by then.
Not stopped — just reduced to a steady whisper against the windows.
Eva sat at the edge of Ria’s bed, still wrapped in one towel and didn't change yet. Her hair was damp. Her fingers were cold.
Ria stood near the door for a second just watching her.
As a younger sister who had never seen her strong, perfect, composed elder sister look this broken.
She closed the door quietly and walked toward her.
“Start talking,” Ria said softly.
Eva shook her head.
“There’s nothing to say.”
Ria folded her arms.
“He gave you divorce papers ,and you signed them.”
Silence.
Eva’s lips trembled slightly.
“He didn’t even argue,” she whispered. “He didn’t talk. He didn't tell the reason. He just… told me to leave.”
Ria’s jaw tightened.
She had always respected Neil.
Tonight, she wasn’t sure what she felt.
“You think he meant it?” Ria asked carefully.
Eva looked up — eyes red.
“I don’t know. That’s what’s killing me.”
Ria sat beside her.
“You saw him, Ria,” Eva continued. “He looked… destroyed. And still he said it.”
Ria remembered.
The way he stood outside.
Drenched. Silent.
Like he wanted to say something but swallowed it.
“He didn’t look like a man who wanted to lose you,” Ria admitted.
Eva exhaled shakily.
“Then why would he do it?”
She didn’t answer.
Because the truth was — she didn’t know.
And that scared her too.
Eva’s voice dropped lower.
“I’m scared about grandparent's.”
That made Ria straighten.
"What do we do now."
“If they find out… they’ll think I couldn’t handle marriage. They already worry about us. What if this breaks them?”
Her voice cracked on that last word.
Ria instantly moved closer, wrapping her arms around her sister.
“Hey. Stop.”
Eva tried to pull herself together, but the tears came anyway.
“I was supposed to set an example,” she whispered. “I’m the elder one.”
Ria pulled back just enough to look at her.
“You are not responsible for carrying everyone’s expectations.”
Eva shook her head weakly.
“You don’t understand.”
“I understand more than you think,” Ria replied firmly. “And listen to me — we'll handle it.”
“Watch me.”
"Be stronger Eve, The Eva I know can handle anything." Ria exclaimed.
“What if he had a reason?” Eva whispered.
Ria’s eyes sharpened.
“What kind of reason makes you throw your wife out in the rain?”
“I don’t know,” Eva said helplessly. “But he wanted me to hate him. I could see it.”
Ria studied her sister carefully.
“You love him ?.”
Eva didn’t answer.
That was answer enough.
Ria sighed, softer now.
“Okay. Listen to me.”
She held Eva’s face gently.
“Whatever this is — you’re not facing it alone. I don’t care if it’s his fault, your fault, or some secret drama. I’m on your side.”
Eva blinked.
She leaned into her sister, holding her tight.
For once, the younger one was the stronger one.
Outside, the rain kept falling.
Inside, two sisters held each other — both scared of what tomorrow might bring.
Two days at Walter’s house felt strange — safe, but unfamiliar. Eva and Ria had settled into a quiet rhythm. Morning tea with grandparents. Short answers. Careful smiles. Avoiding questions.
Eva had slight fever and cold from that night.And she needed this rest to heal herself.
Grandparents never pushed.
Eva never explained.
But she knew this wasn’t permanent.
Her phone buzzed.
She unlocked it.
60+ messages.
Hospital notifications. Surgery updates. Case assignments. Administrative reminders. Three missed calls from OT scheduling.
And nothing from Him.
Reality didn’t wait for heartbreak.
Ria walked into the room tying her hair.
“You going?”
Eva nodded.
“Yeah. I can’t disappear forever.”
Ria studied her face carefully.
“You okay to ride?”
A small pause.
Eva inhaled deeply rubbing her forehead.
“I have to be.”
She changed into her hospital scrubs, layered a cardigan over it, tied her hair into a bun —she corrected her posture.
Before stepping out, she looked at herself in the mirror.
Eyes slightly swollen.
But steady.
“Professional mode,” she whispered to herself.
Downstairs, Grandpa was watching television.Granny was in the garden.They smiled at her like nothing was wrong.
And for now — nothing would be.
She stepped outside.
The morning air was cool. The streets still damp from the previous storm.
She unlocked her e-bike.
Her fingers hesitated on the handlebar for a second.
Two days ago she was signing divorce papers.
Today she was going back to saving lives.
Life didn’t pause.
She took a long breath.
Started the engine.
The soft electric hum filled the quiet lane.
As she rode through the streets of Seattle, the city felt the same.
Coffee shops opening.
Traffic building.
But inside her —
Everything had shifted.
Her phone buzzed again at a red light.
Unknown notification.
She didn’t check it.
Not yet.
She tightened her grip on the handles.
Focused ahead.
The hospital building appeared in the distance.
Tall. Unforgiving. Familiar.
She parked, removed her helmet, and stood there for a second.
This was the place where she wasn’t someone’s wife.
Wasn’t someone’s daughter and granddaughter.
Here —
She was Dr. Eva.
And that had to be enough.
She squared her shoulders.
Walked inside.
Not knowing—
That this shift was about to be anything but normal.
---
The hospital was alive.
Monitors beeping. Stretchers moving. Nurses calling out vitals. Doctors rushing between departments. The controlled chaos that never stopped.
Eva stepped in.
Clocked in.
And just like that—
She became part of the system again.
“Good morning, doctor.”
“Morning.”
Her voice was steady.
Too steady.
She walked through the corridor, files in hand, eyes focused ahead.
But the whispers?
They followed.
Always.
Two nurses stood near the station, their voices low—but not low enough.
“Have you seen them together? They actually look so good.”
“Right? Like perfect. Power couple vibes.”
Eva kept walking.
Another voice from behind—
“I still don’t buy it. She got close to him way too fast.”
“Exactly. Smart move though. Top surgeon husband, guaranteed OT exposure.”
A soft laugh.
“Scamming level: expert.”
It's been two months since neil announced her as his wife to the whole hospital.But the rumours and gossips, still in the air alive.
And then—
Lexi’s voice slipped into her mind, so clear like she was standing right beside her—
“People love gossip… and love showing interest in lives that aren’t theirs.”
Eva almost let out a quiet breath.
Of course.
Eva’s steps didn’t falter.
Didn’t slow.
Didn’t react.
Because reacting would mean breaking.
And she couldn’t afford that here.
Just… observed.
How easily people decide.
How quickly they judge.
How confidently they speak about things they know nothing about.
Two days ago—
Those “perfect couple” whispers ended in a signature.
Those assumptions about her?
Wrong.
She wasn’t a gold digger.
She wasn’t climbing her way up using him.
If anything—
She had just lost him.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the file.
She turned into the OT corridor.
Cool air hit her face.
Clean.
Sterile.
Safe.
No gossip here.
Just skill.
Just focus.
A resident rushed past her.
“Dr. Eva, case 302 is ready.”
She nodded.
“I’ll be there.”
No hesitation.
No emotion.
Just work.
As she scrubbed in, the cold water ran over her hands.
She stared at her reflection in the steel panel.
Same face.
Same doctor.
Different life.
The world still saw—
Dr. Neil Morris’s wife.
The lucky one.
The ambitious one.
The “smart” one.
But the truth?
The couple they admired—
Didn’t exist anymore.
And the woman they judged—
Had never been who they thought she was.
She dried her hands.
Gloves on.
Mask up.
Eyes sharp.
Because inside that OT—
None of it mattered.
Not love.
Not heartbreak.
Not divorce.
Only one thing did.
Saving the life in front of her.
And today—
That was the only place she couldn’t fall apart.
She reached home.
The door clicked shut behind her.
And just like that—
everything went quiet.
No monitors.
No footsteps.
No whispers trailing behind her.
Just silence.
Eva dropped her bag on the chair without thinking, slipping out of her shoes slowly. The house felt warm… familiar… but distant at the same time.
She walked a few steps in.
Stopped.
Exhaled.
The entire day hit her at once.
Endless work.
Her shoulders ached. Her legs felt heavy. Her head slightly sore from hours of focus.
She leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes.
I’m tired…
And it surprised her.
Because it wasn’t the divorce weighing her down.
Not today.
Not in this moment.
“Thank God…” she whispered under her breath, a faint, tired smile forming, “it’s just work.”
Not heartbreak.
Not overthinking.
Just physical exhaustion.
Something simple.
Something she could handle.
She pushed herself off the wall, moving further inside, fingers loosely tying her hair up again.
The house was unusually quiet.
Lights dimmed. Curtains drawn. The soft ticking of the clock echoing through the living room.
But tonight—
Something was different.
Ria stood on a chair, struggling to tape the last string of fairy lights across the wall.
“Grandpa, hold it straight!” she whispered loudly.
“I am holding it straight,” he whispered back, not whispering at all.
From the kitchen, granny walked in with a small cake, carefully placing it on the table.
“Will she wake up?” they asked.
“She sleeps like she’s in a coma after duty,” Ria muttered, jumping down. “Don’t worry I will wake her.”
G'pa adjusted his glasses, looking around at the simple decorations.
“Nice,” he nodded proudly. “Our girl deserves this.”
There was a small pause.
Then Granny asked softly—
“Ria… Neil isn’t coming?”
Ria froze for half a second.
Then she forced a small smile.
“He… must be busy, meetings.”
Not the truth.
She quickly clapped her hands softly.
“Okay! Focus. It’s 11:59.”
They all looked at the clock.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
12:00.
“Let’s go,” Ria whispered excitedly.
They walked quietly down the hallway.
Ria pushed Eva’s door open slowly.
Dark.
Peaceful.
Eva was curled under the blanket, completely unaware.
Ria flicked the light on.
“Happy birthdayyyyy!”
Eva flinched, eyes snapping open, confused and disoriented.
“What—?!”
G' parents joined in, smiling warmly—
“Happy birthday, Eve.”
Eva blinked rapidly, trying to process.
Ria jumped onto the bed, hugging her tightly.
“You’re officially older and still annoying.”
Eva let out a sleepy laugh, her arms wrapping around Ria automatically.
“You scared me…”
“Good,” Ria grinned.
Granny stepped forward, brushing Eva’s hair back gently.
“Get up, come see.”
Eva sat up slowly, still half asleep, heart softening already.
They pulled her into the living room.
The fairy lights glowed softly.
Simple decorations. Balloons. A small cake in the center.
Nothing grand.
But everything warm.
Everything real.
Eva stood there quietly for a second.
Taking it in.
Her eyes welled up.
Not from sadness.
From something softer.
Something she hadn’t felt in days.
Home.
“Ria…” she whispered.
“No crying,” Ria warned immediately. “It’s your birthday. Only happiness allowed.”
“Cut the cake first, emotions later.” G'pa chuckled.
They gathered around the table.
Eva held the knife, hands slightly trembling.
“Make a wish,” ria said softly.
Eva paused.
Closed her eyes.
For a second—
His face flashed in her mind.
Then she pushed it away gently.
And made a wish anyway.
She cut the cake.
Cheers filled the room.
Ria smeared a little cream on her cheek instantly.
“Ria!” Eva laughed, shocked.
“Tradition!”
G'pa fed her the first bite.
Granny hugged her from the side.
Ria hugged her again. " Love you"
And in that small living room—
At midnight—
Surrounded by love that didn’t question, didn’t judge, didn’t leave—
Eva smiled.
Not because everything was okay.
But because, for this moment—
She wasn’t alone.
The bell rang.
Once
.
Then again.
Eva groaned softly, pulling the blanket over her head.
“Ria…” she mumbled, half asleep, “door…”
No response.
The bell rang again.
She sighed, dragging herself out of bed, hair messy, eyes barely open. Still in last night’s hoodie, she walked slowly toward the door.
Half asleep.
Half present.
She opened it.
A man in a perfectly tailored black suit stood there.
Sharp. Formal. Out of place in their quiet lane.
“Good morning, ma’am,” he said politely.
Eva blinked.
“Uh… yeah?”
He gave a small nod.
“Wishing you a very happy birthday.”
That woke her up a little.
“Thank you…?”
He extended a sleek black box toward her.
“This is for you.”
She hesitated, taking it slowly.
“From whom?”
A brief pause.
Then—
“From your husband, ma’am.”
Her fingers froze around the box.
Husband.
Before she could ask anything else, he stepped back.
“Have a good day.”
And just like that—
He left.
Eva stood there, barefoot at the door, holding the box, completely still.
Trying to process.
Ria’s voice came from behind as she walked downstairs, still tying her hair.
“Who was it, Eve?”
No response.
Ria frowned, stepping closer.
“Eva?”
She followed her gaze outside—
And froze.
Parked right in front of their house—
A sleek, black Porsche.
Brand new.
Shining under the soft morning light.
Ria’s eyes widened.
“WHAT—”
She looked at Eva.
Then at the car.
Then back at Eva.
“Porsche?!”
Eva still hadn’t moved.
Her grip on the box tightened slightly.
Her mind racing.
Two days ago—
Divorce papers.
And today—
This?
Ria stepped closer, whispering loudly like it would somehow make it less real.
“Your ex-husband just sent you a Porsche??”
Eva finally blinked.
Still in shock.
Still not understanding.
Still feeling something twist in her chest—
because only one thought echoed in her mind—
Why?
Ria was still staring at the Porsche like it might disappear if she blinked.
Then—
Something clicked.
Her expression changed.
“Wait…”
Eva slowly turned to look at her.
Ria’s eyes widened in realization.
“Oh no.”
“What?” Eva asked, her voice still distant.
Ria ran a hand through her hair, pacing a little.
“A few days after your wedding… Dr.Morris called me.”
Eva stilled.
“What?”
Ria nodded, guilt already creeping into her face.
“Yeah. He asked me what you like. Like…
properly. Not surface level. He said he wanted to gift you something.”
Eva’s grip tightened around the black box.
“And?” she asked quietly.
Ria winced.
“I told him you wouldn’t accept expensive gifts.”
A pause.
Then Ria mimicked his tone, almost annoyed—
“It’s not expensive, it’s just a car.”
Eva’s eyes flickered.
Ria continued, half frustrated even now—
“And I literally told him—who says ‘just a car’ like that?”
She let out a dry breath.
“And then he goes—”
Her voice softened slightly.
“Can’t I gift my wife a car?”
Silence.
Ria looked back at Eva.
“So… yeah.”
She pointed weakly toward the car outside.
“That day… he planned this.”
Eva didn’t move.
Didn’t speak.
Ria swallowed.
“I helped him,” she admitted quietly. “I… I even helped him pre-book it. Made sure it gets delivered on your birthday.”
Regret fully settled on her face now.
“I didn’t know things would turn like this, Eve… I thought—”
She stopped.
Because what she thought didn’t matter anymore.
Eva finally looked down at the box in her hands.
A gift planned when things were still… soft.
Still hopeful.
Still them.
Ria’s voice dropped.
“I shouldn’t have helped him.”
But Eva shook her head slowly.
Not in denial.
Not in agreement.
Just… processing.
Because this—
This wasn’t a random gesture.
This was something he had planned before everything broke.
And that somehow—
Made it hurt more.
Eva stood near the door, bag on her shoulder.
Back to routine.
Back to the hospital.
Back to not thinking.
“I’m leaving,” she said, almost automatically.
Ria, who was sprawled on the couch, sat up instantly.
“Excuse me?”
Eva paused. “What?”
“It’s your birthday.”
“And?”
“And you’re not going to the hospital like it’s any other day!”
Eva sighed lightly. “Ria…”
“No,” Ria got up, walking toward her. “You’ve not the only doctor in Seattle,work can wait. Eve,ignoring everything, acting like nothing happened—today, you’re not doing that.”
Eva looked at her, tired but soft.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not,” Ria said bluntly. “And even if you were, today is still your day.”
A pause.
Ria crossed her arms.
“You’re staying.”
Eva hesitated.
For a second, her instinct was to argue.
To escape into work again.
But then—
She looked around.
The decorations still there.
The warmth of the house.
Her sister standing in front of her, stubborn as ever.
And for once—
She let go.
“Okay…” she said quietly.
Ria blinked. “Wait, that was too easy.”
Eva let out a small smile.
“Don’t make me change my mind.”
“NOPE,” Ria grabbed her hand instantly. “Good decision. Proud of you.”
Eva shook her head softly, pulling her phone out.
“Let me just inform.”
She typed quickly—
Dr. Rachel Adams, I’ll report for the night shift today.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
Approved.
Eva exhaled.
Done.
She slipped her phone back into her pocket.
Ria was already waiting, eyes shining with mischief.
“So…” she grinned, dragging the moment, “what’s the plan?”
Eva looked at her.
“Let’s go.”
"Where?"
The argument lasted longer than expected.
“Cafe.”
“No.”
“Shopping.”
“No crowds.”
“Movie?”
“I’ll fall asleep.”
Back and forth.
Endless.
Until finally—
“Fine,” Eva sighed. “Breakfast first. Then spa . Then… whatever chaos you plan after that.”
Ria grinned like she’d just won a championship.
“Deal.”
They grabbed their things and walked toward the door, still lightly bickering.
But the moment they stepped outside—
They both stopped.
Right there
Parked like it owned the street—
The sleek black Porsche.
Shining.
Silent.
Tempting.
Ria slowly turned her head toward Eva.
Eva didn’t move.
Didn’t react.
Her face went still.
She knew this feeling.
Temptation.
Danger.
She tightened her grip on her bag.
“We’re not touching it,” she said firmly.
Ria blinked.
“Eve—”
“No.”
“I didn’t even say anything yet.”
“You don’t have to.”
Ria looked back at the car.
Then at Eva.
Then back again.
“…but can we?”
Eva gave her a look.
“Ria.”
“Just once,” she tried again, stepping closer to the car like it was calling her. “I mean—look at it. It’s literally staring at us.”
“No.”
“Come on, I know you’re going to return it to Dr. Machine anyway—”
Eva’s expression didn’t change.
“But still,” Ria continued, almost whispering now, “we can try it. You know… just a drive. One round. No emotional attachment. Purely… educational.”
Eva crossed her arms.
“Educational?”
“Yes. Let's test your driving skills.”
“No.”
Ria groaned dramatically.
“You are no fun.”
“I’m being practical.”
“You’re being boring.”
“I’m being sane.”
Ria walked closer to her, lowering her voice.
“Eve… listen.”
Eva didn’t respond.
“You don’t have to accept it,” Ria said softly now. “You don’t have to forgive him. You don’t even have to keep it.”
A pause.
“But this… this was something he planned for you. Before everything.”
That hit.
Eva’s eyes flickered for a second.
Just a second.
Ria noticed.
“Just one drive,” she said gently. “Not for him. Not for anything else.”
A small smile.
“For you.”
Silence.
The morning air felt still.
The car gleamed under the sunlight.
Eva looked at it.
Then away.
Then back again.
Her instincts screamed no.
Her heart—
Wasn’t as clear.
She exhaled slowly.
“…one round,” she said finally.
Ria gasped.
“REALLY?!”
Eva raised a finger immediately.
“Just once.”
Ria was already running toward the car.
“BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!”
Eva shook her head softly, a faint smile breaking through despite herself.
But as she walked toward the car—
Her fingers brushed the handle.
And for a second—
It didn’t feel like just a car.
It felt like something unfinished.
Something waiting.
---
The day had been… unexpectedly light.
Laughter.
Arguments.
Random stops.
Too much food.
Too many pictures.
And the drive—
Smooth.
Effortless.
Eva’s hands on the wheel, confident, steady — like she had always belonged there. The Porsche responded to her like it understood her.
For a few hours—
She forgot.
Everything.
But evenings don’t let you forget for long.
The car slowed.
Then—
Stopped.
Ria didn’t say anything.
She didn’t need to.
They both knew where they were.
The apartment.
Eva’s fingers rested on the steering wheel a second longer than necessary.
Her gaze fixed ahead.
Memories didn’t rush in.
They settled.
Quietly.
Ria turned to look at her.
Didn’t speak.
Didn’t ask.
Just… waited.
Eva exhaled.
Soft.
Controlled.
“You book a cab,” she said, her voice calm. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Ria nodded.
No questions.
No drama.
The elevator ride felt longer than usual.
The silence inside it heavier than any conversation.
Eva stood still, her reflection staring back at her from the metal walls.
Same face.
Different person.
The hallway was exactly the same.
Unchanged.
Like nothing had happened.
Like everything had.
She walked slowly toward the door.
Her steps quieter now.
Measured.
She stood in front of it.
For a second—
Her hand reached out to knock.
She opened her bag.
Took something out with the car keys.
She stared at them for a moment.
Then gently placed them near the door.
A pause.
Footsteps.
From inside.
Faint.
Approaching.
Her heart skipped once.
That was enough.
She stepped back quickly.
Turned.
Walked away.
Before the door could open.
Before she could see him.
Before he could see her.
The elevator doors closed behind her.
Downstairs, Ria was already waiting.
She looked at Eva.
Didn’t ask.
Didn’t need to.
Eva simply said—
“Let’s go.”
She chose to walk away.