Chapter 3 – Unexpected Encounter

• Max
• The police called to inform me that my ex-wife had gotten into an accident. She finally regained consciousness after five days of recovery, but they hadn’t been able to reach anyone else. Due to the nature of the accident, they demanded that I come in for questioning—as the bitter ex-husband, naturally.
• After being grilled for hours, they were finally satisfied with my answers and let me go. Since I was already dragged into this mess, I figured I might as well pay her a visit. I don’t know all the details yet, but it’s clear Anna Smith has got herself into some serious trouble with the law.
• “Who are you, and what are you doing here?” the elderly woman asked sharply.
• “Mom, do you have to be so harsh? Anna’s just… promiscuous. He’s probably one of her many men,” the younger woman added with a smug smile, giving me a once-over.
• “I’m Darlene. And you are?” she asked, extending her hand.
• I ignored it.
• “Dr. Anderson. Nice to meet you,” I said coolly. “Take your time—I’ll be back.” With that, I turned and walked away.
• “Handsome, but stupid. What a letdown,” Darlene tutted.
• “Will you stop being so horny all the time? We have more important matters to discuss with Anna,” the older woman chastised.
• “Is it finally time to kick her out of my life?” Darlene chimed in, a little too excited.
• I stopped in my tracks. Now they had my full attention—my drama radar was off the charts.
• “Of course, let’s go inside.” Replied the elderly woman.
• Once the pair went inside, I circled back and observed from a distance.
• As I suspected, a full-blown drama was unfolding before my eyes. The storyline could’ve been ripped straight out of a movie—Cinderella and her evil stepmother. The roles were played so convincingly, I honestly couldn’t tell who the real villain was.
• “What are you doing outside my patient’s room?” Violet asked from behind me.
• She didn’t look too thrilled to see me—but I was more than happy to see her.
• “Oh, just got the wrong room. My bad,” I said casually.
• “Huh. And here I thought you were looking for me,” she teased.
• “Yes… about that dinner?” I asked.
• “Dr. Anderson, I’m really busy. Maybe some other time.”
• I frowned as Dr. Violet walked away.
• Excuses—always excuses. When will I learn to accept reality? It’s been like this since we graduated college. Five years of chasing her… and she’s never once looked back.
• I left the hospital with another rejection in hand.
• Sometime later
• Twisting and turning in bed, I couldn’t get the image of Anna sobbing out of my head. Unable to sleep, I decided to return to the hospital and check on her.
• To my surprise, she was in the process of being discharged.
• Curious, I stayed back and watched to see where she would go. She walked to the other side of the hospital and stopped in front of a patient ward. Then she collapsed onto a bench and curled into a ball.
• In the dead of night, she wept.
• I don’t know why I’m here, or why I suddenly care so much about my ex-wife—but here I am, the only witness to her silent heartbreak.
• “Ah, Dr. Anderson—just the man I was looking for.” Dr. Weld approached, pulling my attention away from the wailing woman.
• “Dr. Weld, you're on the night shift tonight?” I greeted him with a polite smile.
• “Yes. May I have a word with you in my office?” he asked.
• “Sure,” I agreed, following him down the corridor.
• I sat down across from him, but my mind refused to stay in the room. I couldn’t shake the image of Anna curled up on that bench, crying like her whole world had crumbled.
• “Dr. Anderson…” Dr. Weld called, his voice pulling me out of my daze.
• “Yes, what did you want to talk about?” I asked.
• “Have you heard? I’m retiring in two weeks,” Dr. Weld began.
• “I’m aware. Congratulations,” I said, but the man frowned. “Is something wrong?”
• “I have a patient who needs long-term care,” he explained. “Dr. Anderson, you’re one of the best in the field. It would put my mind at ease if you could take this case for me. Will you do this old man a favor?” he asked, his tone hesitant.
• “Who is the patient?” I asked, intrigued.
• Dr. Weld slid a file across the desk. “Have a look,” he urged.
• I opened it and gave it a quick skim.
• “The patient’s family refused treatment,” I pointed out.
• “His wife refused,” Dr. Weld clarified, “but his daughter remains adamant about moving forward. If things work out, I’ll have to trouble you with the case.”
• “Why did the patient’s wife refuse treatment?” I asked, confused.
• “The man is a widower—not legally bound to anyone,” Dr. Weld clarified. “However, his next of kin wishes to proceed with treatment.”
• “Ah, I see. I’ll take this and look it over,” I replied.
• “Thank you. With you on the case, I can retire in peace,” Dr. Weld said with a smile as he sent me off.
• Before leaving the hospital, I stopped by the patient ward, only to find the hall empty. Something about it didn’t sit right with me, but I had no idea where she went, so I headed home.
• She left. I’m free. We’re done.
• It’s time to let go—and focus on what truly matters now.
• Mr. Hamburg was the victim of a car accident that resulted in multiple head injuries, causing part of his brain to shut down. However, the rest of his brain is still functioning well. His chances of survival are high—if the right treatment is administered.
• So why did his wife give up so easily?
• Who is the daughter Dr. Weld mentioned?
• Why isn’t she listed as an emergency contact?
• Where is she now?
• So many questions… and so few answers.
• Next Morning
• Around 8 a.m., I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing.
• It was Dr. Weld.
• “Hello,” I answered immediately.
• “Dr. Anderson, my apologies for disturbing you so early,” he said. “The patient’s family has just agreed to proceed with treatment. Could you stop by so we can discuss the case?”
• “Yes, I’ll be there in half an hour,” I replied and hung up.
• I got dressed and headed out, but paused at the door.
• I hadn’t been here in a year—something had changed. Something felt different about this place.
• I shook the feeling off and went on my way.
• I walked into the room with Dr. Weld—and immediately froze.
• There she was. Dainty, small, and all too familiar.
• Anna Smith.
• The moment I realized it, my steps halted.
• “Dr. Anderson,” Dr. Weld spoke, snapping me out of my daze. “This is Ms. Smith, the patient’s next of kin,” he said, then turned to her. “Ms. Smith, this is Dr. Anderson—the best neurologist in the field. He’ll be taking over your father’s case.”
• “Nice to meet you, Dr. Anderson,” Ms. Smith said, offering a polite, practiced smile.
• “Nice to meet you too, Ms. Smith,” I replied, matching her tone as I accepted the greeting.
• She refused to meet my eyes and sat back down, clearly uncomfortable.
• What happened between us should’ve stayed in the past—but here we are, crossing paths again in the most unconventional way.
• It seemed fate had other plans for us.