ith Vivian, Madeline saw her off and re

ardly slept at all. She couldn't understand how that man could leave afterward, retu

ceful nor comfortable. One nightmare followed

dy the middle of the night, and the pa

source of the pain and discovered a large b

me, she had been drunk and felt nothing. After several hours of sleep, however, the bruise had become

medical a

adeline left her apartment alone and to

ht for the orthop

ent slip, she glanced at the

n Spe

understand, she made no effor

s was an oppor

. Only a short wait passed before Madeline's name was c

is appearance and gave him the look of a refined professional. Compared to the man from the previous night, he

e door made him

gazes

d sharp flashed t

ne's chest, and she unconsciou

.. I

s to be th

ferent from how he would speak to any other pati

sh for trying to hide her uneasiness. Letting o

y lower

e placed the pen aside and leaned forward. Then his eyes se

h he had

had been carrying quickl

oat, she said, "I just

an unmistakable firmness behind it that made avoiding the

give me something for it. An oi

lips without warning, and his

eline stayed w

respond, he got to his feet, moved behind her, and l

O

e her yelp i

aterial of her clothing and landed directl

er

fened, and she sucke

hat's t

d, but his hand on her waist remained steady. When

se and a muscle strain.

deline's cheeks. She didn't

knew what

was the reason

Pulling his hand away, he returned to hi

ule out a fracture." He slid the

't be nec

her gaze directly. "You're my patient. I

ed something inside her. Was he only speaking as her do

natched up the form and hurried out of

ttle over ten minutes, but to her,

tion room, Nathan was still there. He lo

t for several moments before speaking. "There's no fracture. It's only a

added casually, "And stop getting

spread across M

n ointment and a back brace, then set both items in front of her.

can do

e he

s voice made it im

Madeline walke

shed lightly against the back of her neck. Using his fingers, he lifted the edge

trolled. He looked completely pro

spread through her body, and he

t hurts," he

does

oice lowered near her ear. "Why did

stood, and heat rushed

ointment and returned to his usual professional tone.

n't need a follow-up," Madeline

ed the injury. I'll tak

d lifted his gaze to her. A hint of

tween them was

ome of the tension inside her finally eased. At the ve

s sounded from the door b

iles in her arms. She carried herself with quiet confidence, and t

the patient in Room Three. His condit

Madeline. Then it moved over Nathan's hand as he pulled it

his head. His voice rem

"The director wanted to ask whether you'd like me to handle the coordination for this afternoon's joint consultation

od, "Send them by email. There'

quietly stepped back and creat

ately. A darker look

line's presence. With an easy smile, she aske

mall laugh. "Yes. The pain became worse in the middle of

e entered her voice. "Nathan usually doesn't treat patients perso

't obvious on the surface, but it

e patient has a muscle strain. I

ne with a gentle expression. "Then make sure you get plenty of r

e door. "I'll head back to work. I won'

ut quietly

ed to the cons

ely felt her nerv

adeline still noticed it. It was the kind of hostil

poke to Nathan sound

trace of amusement flickered through his eye

y said, "Come bac