o soft footsteps, muffled conversations, and the occasional distant ring of a monitor. In those momen

loose around his neck. His eyes were focused, but not on anything in particular. His mi

n Co

ure. It wasn't just attraction-it was curiosity. She'd stirred something he thought h

d in, half hoping for distraction, half avoiding it. Inside, the vending machine buzzed so

d himsel

midnight oi

ll with a clipboard in hand. Her eyes were sharp, obser

," he

maybe you're haunted. Ha

yebrow. "Haunted

m her own cup. "

Silence hung betwe

e smirked. "Is s

ly, maybe too quick

"Aren't we all

r vibrated. He glanced at the scr

ingered. "Don't lose yourself, Bro

e words trailing behi

ng cursor on her laptop. The blank page had mocked her for nearly an hour. Words usually

untangle the ache sh

ttable. None like Dr. Brown Immanuel. He was calculated, composed, an

eli

w that feel

zzed beside

You'll open the weekend ses

ed, half

's talk tomorrow. I

back. The ceiling fan spun lazily abov

n with a stranger make

f in work. Surgeries. Consultations. M

llowed hi

time to read. He sat at the far end, surrounded by shelves of books that smelled of dust and w

om. Opened it. Closed it

n hear her un

man trying too ha

ad sna

rance, leaning casuall

aid, startled. "What

drop by." She walked in, her steps unhurried

e book. "S

face, but not invasively. Gently. Like she was

n on my min

irect. N

linked.

st heal bodies. You see things. Fee

d. "I don't know

u hide in cold rooms and sterile halls,

n't afford to feel every

't waver. "Maybe

not awkward-but charged. A current passing

up. "I s

o, unsure

r. Immanuel, for a man who saves live

he was

ai

e silence screame

y lights blinked in the distance. The reflection starin

on his chest heavier than usual. Helen's

ed up h

ssed

w mes

ll her. But wha

ly knew? That he wasn't sure if he was

terrupted

me Layla's voice f

it. "Wha

emergency. You're

is coat. "I'

e hallway, his expression sh

surface, a sto

just a pati

echo that re