46.Love is in the air.
Outside Harmony and Care Hospital — Evening
The sun was setting slowly behind the Seattle skyline.
Orange light spilled across the glass walls of Harmony and Care Hospital, painting everything in shades of gold and amber.
Doctors ,nurses, interns walked past after long shifts.
People having fun near the café.
Ambulances still came and went.
The world continued moving.
Like nothing had happened.
Neil sat alone on the wooden bench beneath the old tree outside the hospital entrance.
His grey coat rested beside him.
Tie loosened slightly.
Sleeves folded once.
The evening wind brushed through his dark hair softly.
he didn’t look exhausted anymore.
No grief.
No helplessness.
No drowning silence.
That version of Neil Morris had ended upstairs in the conference room.
This Neil?
Was different.
Dangerously aware.
Focused.
His eyes stayed fixed on the orange sky quietly while people passed around him without realizing who sat there.
The once untouchable surgeon.
The hospital’s golden doctor.
Now suspended.
Footsteps approached slowly through the evening quiet.
Neil noticed them immediately.
But he didn’t look up.
The person stopped beside the bench.
Then quietly—
A warm coffee cup and a wrapped sandwich were placed near his grey coat.
Neil’s head moved toward them first.
Coffee.
No sugar.
Exactly how he drank it.
Then—
he looked up.
Straight into her eyes.
Eva Walter.
Standing there in light blue scrubs beneath her white coat, hair slightly messy from rounds, pens clipped to her pocket carelessly.
Her ID card hung loosely from her upper pocket, swaying softly in the evening breeze.
Neil’s gaze dropped unconsciously toward it.
Her tiny hospital photo.
Serious expression.
Slightly annoyed eyebrows.
Very Eva.
A smile appeared on his face before he could stop it.
Small.
Real.
Eva immediately caught him looking.
And the moment she realized he was staring at her ID photo—
she quickly shoved the card into her pocket.
“Don’t.”
Neil looked back at her slowly, amusement still visible in his eyes.
“You look angry in it.”
“Because they took the picture at 6 AM.”
“Hm.”
“That’s not my face.”
“That’s absolutely your face.”
Eva rolled her eyes and sat down the other side of the bench with the grey coast,coffee and sandwich between them.
Not too far.
A careful distance.
For a moment neither spoke.
The sunset painted soft orange light across both of them.
Neil picked up the coffee slowly.
Still warm.
“Thank you.” neil broke the silence.
Eva looked ahead casually.
“You complain dramatically without caffeine,” she said softly. “You need it most now.”
“Not sure about the coffee,” he murmured quietly.
A pause.
Then he lifted his hand slightly—
gesturing toward her sitting beside him.
“But I think I needed this the most.”
Eva’s breath caught almost invisibly.
Because he just said you without actually saying it..
And somehow—
that made it worse.
Or better.
She couldn’t tell anymore.
Neil leaned back against the bench calmly after his sentence, taking a sip of the coffee like he hadn’t just dropped something dangerously honest between them.
Eva stared ahead quickly.
Trying very hard to act unaffected.
Failing very badly.
The board lounge was silent except for the soft sound of rain hitting the glass windows.
Seattle’s city lights flickered outside.
Inside—
tension sat heavily in the room.
Chief Harrison stood near the table, removing his glasses tiredly.
Across from him sat a man hidden mostly in shadow near the dim corner of the room.
Only parts of him were visible.
A cartier watch.
Long fingers resting against a glass.
The calm silhouette of someone entirely in control.
Chief Harrison spoke first.
“You said this would stay contained.”
The man remained silent for a second.
Then a low voice finally filled the room.
“It is contained.”
Cold.
Composed.
Dangerously calm.
Chief Harrison frowned.
“Neil is suspicious.”
A soft chuckle escaped from the darkness.
“Neil Morris is always suspicious.”
Chief Harrison removed his glasses tiredly.
“He’s not reacting like someone defeated.”
“Because he isn’t defeated yet.”
The shadowed figure leaned back slightly.
“But he will be.”
Chief Harrison looked unconvinced.
“You underestimate him.”
Another silence.
Then finally—
“No,” the man murmured quietly. “You overestimate emotional men.”
Chief Harrison’s jaw tightened.
“He signed the suspension papers without arguing.”
That made the mysterious figure pause briefly.
Then slowly—
a faint smirk appeared beneath the dim light.
“Interesting.”
“He almost looked…” Chief hesitated carefully, “…focused.”
That word changed the atmosphere slightly.
The man’s fingers tapped once against the glass thoughtfully.
“He said someone inside the hospital used his OT as a murder scene." said chief putting out Neil's point.
“Smart,” he murmured. “Very smart."
The man walked toward the rain-covered glass window calmly.
Seattle lights reflected against his silhouette.
Then finally—
he spoke.
“If Neil Morris keeps digging…”
A pause.
“…he’ll eventually discover this was never about the patient.”
Chief Harrison frowned deeply.
“Then what was it about?”
The man’s expression darkened slightly.
And for the first time—
something personal entered his voice.
“It was about reminding the Morris family…”
His jaw tightened subtly.
“…that power can be taken away too.”
Chief Harrison stared at him silently now.
Because suddenly—
this no longer sounded like business.
It sounded like revenge.
Deep..
Old.
Personal
.
The mysterious man adjusted his sleeve calmly.
Then added one final sentence before leaving the room—
“And Neil still hasn’t realized who he’s fighting.”
---
New morning fresh vibes
The hospital buzzed with its usual rhythm again— stretchers moving, nurses rushing, interns carrying files like their lives depended on it.
And in three months finally—
Dr. Neil Morris was back on rounds.
Not in surgery.
Not in the OT.
But still back.
And somehow—
the entire hospital could feel it.
People straightened unconsciously when he walked past.
Residents whispered.
Even senior doctors looked relieved seeing him back in the hallways again.
Meanwhile—
Eva walked two steps behind him holding a tablet, trying very hard to act professional.
Trying.
Failing slightly.
Because watching Neil back in doctor mode again after months felt strangely comforting.
Natural.
Like something important had returned to its place.
Neil stopped outside a patient room while flipping through the file calmly.
“Post-op vitals?”
Eva answered immediately.
“Stable since 3 AM. Pain reduced after medication adjustment.”
Neil nodded once.
Then continued walking.
Trent walked beside Eva carrying additional files, watching both of them like a reality show.
His expression screamed drama.
Neil spoke again while walking.
“Echo results?”
Eva handed him the report before he even extended his hand.
Perfect timing.
Perfect synchronization.
Neil looked at the report briefly—
then glanced sideways at her for one second.
Tiny.
But noticeable.
And Trent caught it immediately.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The rounds continued smoothly.
A nurse stopped Neil midway.
“Good to see you back, Dr. Morris.”
Neil gave a polite nod.
“Thank you.”
Eva quietly noticed how everyone’s energy shifted around him.
Neil Morris carried authority naturally.
Meanwhile Trent had stopped paying attention to patients entirely.
Now he was observing them.
Like a scientist.
Neil: “Medication dosage needs adjusting.”
Eva at the same time: “5 mg reduction should work.”
Both paused.
Then looked at each other briefly.
Trent almost smiled like an idiot.
Nah.
This was insane chemistry.
Neil continued walking again calmly.
Third room already.
Third case already.
And not once—
NOT ONCE—
had he asked Eva anything directly.
“Trent,” Neil said while checking the monitor, “present the case.”
Trent immediately started explaining.
Eva stood behind them holding the tablet silently.
Annoyed silently.
Actually no.
Violently annoyed silently.
Her eyes narrowed at the back of Neil’s head.
Am I invisible?
First room: “Trent, labs?”
Second room: “Trent, history?”
Third room: “Trent, present the case.”
Eva internally scoffed.
Oh wow. Incredible. Dr. Machine is back again.
She folded her arms slightly while Trent continued speaking.
He disappeared emotionally, came back acting all mysterious, divorced me for absolutely no reason, and now he’s ignoring me professionally too?
Her irritation grew rapidly.
And I’m STILL being nice to him.
Neil adjusted the patient’s chart calmly.
Man Bitch.
“Eva.”
Her soul left her body.
Eva blinked instantly.
Neil finally looked at her over his shoulder.
Completely calm.
“Continue the case.”
Hell.
Absolute hell.
Because she had not listened to a SINGLE word Trent said.
Not one.
And to make things worse—
she wasn’t even holding the case sheet.
Her mind blanked instantly.
Trent looked away immediately trying not to laugh.
Traitor.
Eva opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
“…the patient,” she started professionally, “is definitely… alive.”
Silence.
Dead silence.
The patient himself looked confused.
Trent bit his lips aggressively.
Neil stared at her quietly for two whole seconds.
Then slowly—
one eyebrow lifted.
Oh he was enjoying this.
That evil man was enjoying this.
Eva straightened immediately.
“I meant stable,” she corrected quickly. “Stable and alive.”
Trent almost choked.
Neil looked down briefly, hiding the tiny smirk threatening to appear.
Then calmly rescued her anyway.
“Post-op cardiac patient. Forty-eight hours after valve replacement. Stable vitals overnight.”
Eva immediately nodded seriously like she absolutely knew that already.
“Yes. Exactly.”
Neil glanced at her once more.
That look said: Pay attention, doctor.
Eva’s look back said: I will throw this tablet at your face.
Trent standing between them felt like he was watching the couple flirt aggressively.
And honestly?
It was entertaining.
The rounds continued through the hallway again.
Nurses greeted them.
Residents moved aside quickly.
And everywhere they walked—
people naturally made space for them together.
Like always.
Because to the hospital—
Dr. Neil Morris and Dr. Eva Walter were still very much married.
The new couple of Harmony and Care Hospital.
No one knew what had happened behind closed doors.
No one knew about the signed divorce papers.
The rain.
The separation.
The sleepless nights.
The exhaustion.
To everyone else—
they were simply going through married-couple phase.
Which honestly made things worse.
An intern passed by smiling brightly.
“Good morning, Dr. Morris. Dr. Morris.”
Both Neil and Eva turned at the same time.
The resident blinked awkwardly.
Trent’s phone rang loudly in the middle of the hallway.
He checked the screen.
Then groaned dramatically.
“Dr. Snoops from the neuro ward,” he muttered.
“I think he needs me?”
Neil barely looked up from the file.
“Go.”
Trent muttered "See you Eve"before leaving.
The moment Trent disappeared—
silence settled around them again.
Just Neil and Eva.
Walking side by side through the corridor.
The elevators near the next wing were overcrowded with staff and stretchers.
Neil glanced once toward them.
“Stairs.”
Eva nodded lightly.
Anything was better than waiting there.
They pushed open the staircase door together.
Instantly—
the loud hospital noise disappeared behind them.
The stairwell was strangely quiet.
Only soft footsteps echoed against the concrete walls.
Morning sunlight slipped through the narrow side windows in warm golden lines.
Eva walked slightly ahead now, trying very hard to look occupied.
Her eyes stayed fixed on the iPad in her hand.
Lexi’s messages kept popping up.
LEXI:
Meet me in the canteen.
LEXI:
Now!
Eva:
Can't,stuck with Dr.Morris.
Eva was typing a reply while climbing—
And missed a step.
Her foot slipped suddenly.
“Eva—”
Before panic could even register—
A strong arm wrapped around her waist instantly.
Firm.
Steady.
Pulling her safely against him.
The iPad nearly fell from her hands.
Eva’s breath caught sharply.
Neil held her effortlessly like instinct itself moved before thought.
One hand against the railing.
The other secure around her waist.
Close.
Too close.
His heart betrayed him immediately.
And God—
Eva was unfairly beautiful this close.
The morning light fell against the sharp and soft features of her face.
Her eyes—
still carrying the questions which he didn't answer.
Those eyes still hold the care, softness and love for him.
He can see it and feel it.
His voice lowered slightly.
“You okay?”
Eva nodded too quickly.
“Yes.”
Neil looked unconvinced but slowly loosened his hold anyway.
Still keeping one hand lightly at her waist for an extra second longer than necessary.
They continued climbing after that.
Quiet again.
Finally they reached the next floor landing.
Neil stepped forward first and pushed open the staircase door halfway.
The sounds of the hospital returned faintly from outside.
Eva adjusted the iPad against her chest, preparing to walk out—
But Neil stopped.
He turned back suddenly.
Eva blinked in confusion.
Before she could ask—
Neil leaned down slightly.
And kissed her cheek softly.
Quick.
Gentle.
Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Eva froze completely.
Neil pulled back calmly.
Opened the door fully.
And walked out into the hospital corridor like absolutely nothing had happened.
Leaving Eva standing alone in the staircase—
heart malfunctioning entirely.
---
The day had been exhausting already.
Rounds.
Emergency consults.
Interns asking questions like survival depended on it.
And somehow—
Neil and Eva managed to survive the entire shift without killing each other.
Barely.
By evening, the cardiology department conference hall slowly filled with doctors from different specialties.
A large presentation screen glowed at the front displaying:
Eva settled beside Lexi while scrolling through conference details on her iPad.
Lexi leaned closer immediately.
“Why does this sound rich?”
“Because cardiology people enjoy suffering academically.”
Meanwhile across the hall—
Neil stood near the front discussing surgical systems with senior doctors.
And annoyingly—
he looked exactly where he belonged.
Confident.
Sharp.
Naturally authoritative.
Even after suspension from surgery—
people still unconsciously treated him like the best surgeon in the room.
Because he was.
Chief Harrison eventually stepped forward toward the stage.
The room settled quieter.
“As everyone knows,” he began professionally, “Boston Medical Center invited our hospital for the international robotic cardiac conference this weekend.”
Murmurs spread immediately.
This conference was huge.
International level.
Research presentations.
Advanced surgical networking.
Live robotic procedure demonstrations.
A massive opportunity.
Chief continued—
“We need one senior cardiology representative from our hospital.”
Several doctors glanced around already.
The answer felt obvious.
Chief looked toward Neil directly.
“Despite current restrictions…”
A small pause settled in the room.
“…Dr. Neil Morris remains the most qualified cardiologist in this hospital.”
Silence.
Then quiet agreement spread naturally around the room.
Even doctors who disliked Neil couldn’t deny that truth.
Neil remained calm externally.
But Eva noticed the tiny shift in his expression.
Almost invisible.
But there.
Because after months of humiliation—
someone finally acknowledged his skill again instead of his scandal.
Chief continued—
“Dr. Morris will attend the Boston conference representing Harmony and Care Hospital.”
Soft applause followed.
Lexi whispered beside Eva dramatically—
“The cardiology department would literally collapse without that man.”
Eva didn’t respond.
Because she was busy noticing something else.
Neil wasn’t proud.
Wasn’t arrogant.
Just focused again.
Alive again somehow.
Then he continued—
“So this will not be an individual visit.”
Now everyone looked interested.
“We’re sending a full hospital delegation.”
Several residents immediately sat straighter.
Chief began reading names.
“Dr. Lexi Carter.”
Lexi whispered: “Oh my God I’m internationally talented.”
Eva rolled her eyes.
“Dr. Eva Walter.”
Eva blinked once.
Okay.
Professional.
Manageable.
Maybe.
Then more names followed.
Three additional residents from cardio-rehab and internal medicine. Dr.Trent Norkins ,Dr.Leo williams and Dr.Nora Fin.
Then the Chief looked toward the opposite side.
“Dr. Neil Morris will supervise the cardiology division alongside five senior residents.”
All the residents nearly looked emotional.
"The meeting is over ,Thank you" chief came out of stage.
“we made it,” they whispered dramatically.
Another resident muttered— “This is career-changing.”
Because honestly?
It was.
Boston conferences opened doors everywhere.
Research recognition.
Future fellowships.
Professional networking.
Meanwhile Lexi leaned closer toward Eva again with the expression of someone deeply entertained.
“So basically…”
"We are flying to Boston" Eva replied.
"Yeahhh" both were excited.
Chief Harrison continued discussing schedules.
“Flight leaves Friday morning. Three-night stay in Boston. Hospital accommodation already arranged.”
Residents started whispering excitedly now.
Boston.
Freedom.
Conference.
Travel.
Meanwhile Trent leaned toward Neil carefully.
“Sir… respectfully speaking…”
Neil glanced sideways.
Trent grinned shamelessly.
“This trip is going to be very entertaining.”
Neil already sounded tired.
“I dislike you man.”
Trent chuckled.
---
Seattle Airport was pure chaos at 7 AM.
Coffee smell everywhere.
Residents carrying backpacks like overworked college students.
Announcements blasting every thirty seconds.
And in the middle of all that chaos—
Dr. Neil Morris stood near the boarding gate looking like a man regretting every life decision leading to this trip.
One hand in pocket.
Dark coat over black shirt.
Travel documents in hand.
Sharp eyes already exhausted.
Around him?
Absolute disaster.
Trent and Leo were arguing over whose suitcase exceeded airline limits and checking out airhostess.
“Damn!” Leo whispered aggressively.
“she is hot!” Trent shot back.
Nearby, Nora was taking airport selfies.
Lexi stood beside Eva holding iced coffee dramatically.
“Why does this feel like a school trip?”
“Because none of these people behave like doctors,” Eva muttered.
Then—
Neil spoke without even looking up from the file in his hand.
“Here are your boarding passes.” he handed each to them.
Every resident immediately straightened.
Like military training activated automatically.
“Trent.”
“Alive.”
“Leo.”
“Unfortunately alive.”
“Nora.”
“Present and pretty.”
Neil slowly looked up.
Nora smiled proudly.
Neil looked back down at the list.
“Questionable.”
Eva almost laughed.
Lexi physically turned away trying not to lose control.
Neil continued calmly.
“Lexi.”
“Emotionally unstable but here.”
“Hm.”
Then finally—
His eyes lifted toward Eva.
A tiny pause.
“Eva.”
And God.
Why did hearing her name in his voice still feel unfairly personal?
Eva cleared her throat quickly.
"Yes."
“Here.” his hands almost held hers.
Trent looked between both of them immediately.
Interesting atmosphere.
“Good. Let's go!.”
Leo raised a hand instantly.
“What if we accidentally find love in Boston?”
Neil deadpanned immediately.
“Then stay there.”
Lexi burst out laughing.
Meanwhile Eva noticed something else.
Neil was different with residents now.
Less robotic.
Still strict.
But calmer somehow.
Like the investigation stripped away unnecessary arrogance and left behind something more human.
Unfortunately that version of him was even more attractive.
Terrible development.
The boarding announcement interrupted the chaos.
Passengers started moving.
Neil immediately switched into senior-doctor mode.
“Stay together. Behave. Don’t embarrass the hospital.”
Trent saluted dramatically.
“Yes father.”
"God." Neil whispered.
Eva smiled.
The boarding line slowly moved forward through the gate.
Neil walked ahead first,Behind him—
Trent leaned closer toward Eva with full gossip energy activated.
“I’m telling you,” he whispered dramatically, “Dr. Morris outside the hospital is lowkey interesting.”
Eva immediately lowered her voice.
“Stop irritating him, Trent.”
Trent looked offended.
“Why?”
Then shamelessly louder—
“Your husband actually looks fun outside the hospital.”
Eva nearly tripped over her own feet.
“TRENT.”
Lexi instantly turned away laughing.
Nora gasped dramatically like she just entered a live drama episode.
Meanwhile Neil stopped walking for one second.
Then slowly looked back over his shoulder toward Trent.
“Do you enjoy unemployment?”
Trent paused.
“Opps, sorry sir.”
Inside the flight cabin, everyone started checking seat numbers while stuffing bags aggressively into overhead compartments.
Trent reached the row beside Neil confidently.
Then—
“Change your seat,” Neil said casually while placing his coat above.
Trent blinked.
“What?”
“You’re not sitting beside me.”
Trent frowned immediately.
“But why?”
Neil sat down calmly without even looking at him.
“Because I enjoy silence during flights.”
“That’s discrimination.”
“Hm.”
Trent pointed accusingly.
“You only hate me because I speak truth.”
Nearby, Lexi was already watching like this was premium entertainment.
Eva stood awkwardly near the aisle holding her boarding pass.
Because unfortunately—
the empty seat beside Neil was hers.
Trent noticed immediately.
Then slowly looked between both of them.
“Oh.”
That one word carried too much understanding.
Eva instantly narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t.”
Trent grinned shamelessly.
“Oh my God you replaced me with your wife.”
Eva immediately covered her face with one hand.
This trip was going to destroy her professionally.
"Nevermind Dr.Morris she is all yours, I can sit anywhere.Lexi I am coming there." he left the cabin.
Neil finally leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes briefly.
The flight finally settled into silence after takeoff.
Soft engine sounds filled the cabin.
Clouds stretched endlessly outside the window beside Eva.
Meanwhile beside her—
Neil looked unusually relaxed sitting there.
One arm resting casually near the armrest.
Eyes closed for a brief moment like he was finally allowing himself to breathe.
Eva tried very hard not to stare.
Failed slightly.
Then—
Without opening his eyes, Neil spoke quietly.
“Your friends are irritating.”
Eva immediately looked offended.
“My friends?”
Neil finally opened his eyes slowly and turned toward her.
“Yes. Especially the loud one.”
Eva almost smiled.
“All of them? No.”
Neil raised one eyebrow slightly.
“But Trent…” she sighed dramatically, “…I agree.”
That earned a tiny laugh from Neil.
The silence between Eva and Neil had softened into something quieter.
“Dr. Morris?”
Neil turned slightly toward her.
“Yes?”
Her fingers tightened lightly around the edge of her sleeve.
“Can I ask you something?”
A small pause.
Then—
“Hm.”
Eva exhaled slowly.
“You keep saying things,” she murmured quietly. “About not ruining my career.”
Neil’s expression stilled slightly.
Eva finally looked at him properly now.
“You’re hiding something.”
Silence.
Neil looked away first toward the clouds outside the opposite window.
“There it is,” she whispered softly. “That face.”
“What face?”
“The one you make before pretending
everything is fine.”
Neil gave a faint humorless smile.
“You observe too much.”
“You gave me trust issues.”
That landed harder than she intended.
Neil looked down briefly.
Then calmly—
“I’m trying to keep you away from something ugly.”
Eva frowned immediately.
“You don’t get to decide that alone.”
“I already did.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“And divorced me while doing it.”
He kept quiet didn't respond.
"As expected." Eva muttered under her breath but enough for to hear it.
---