Doctor Love

Chapter 28

DAVID’S POV

My knees hit the grass, tears blurring my vision as I struggled to catch my breath, leaving me kneeling in the garden with a stranger watching me fall apart.

"Hey... are you okay?" Genevieve's voice was gentle, unsure. She knelt beside me, her hand hovering above my shoulder like she wasn't certain if she should touch me.

I wiped furiously at my eyes, embarrassment mixing with the emotional tidal wave. "I'm fine," I choked out, the lie obvious to both of us.

"You don't look fine." She settled on the grass next to me, keeping a respectful distance. "Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who doesn't know you. No judgment, no history."

The dam broke. I couldn't believe I was tearing up like a kid in front of a stranger. But I didn't care. The pent-up anger, frustration, helplessness, and the thought that I might lose Kate forever, the thought of her disappearing irked me, angered me, saddened me, and it made me tear up more.

Genevieve reached out, her hand squeezing my arm gently. "It's okay. Whatever it is, it's going to be fine."

"You don't know that," I whispered, but the kindness in her eyes loosened something in my chest.

Finally, I sobered up and looked at her. She wasn't smiling, she wasn't making jest of me for crying.

"What is it?" she asked simply.

And I found myself confiding in her, the words tumbling out faster than I could organize them.

"There's this woman—Kate. She's brilliant, beautiful, infuriating." I laughed through my tears. "The first time I met her, I was so intimidated I acted like a complete jerk."

"What did you do?" Genevieve asked, settling in.

"I criticized her presentation in front of the entire board. Tore apart her proposals. Made her life hell." I winced at the memory. "I told her she wasn't qualified. That her ideas were amateur at best."

"Wow. You were a real prince charming."

"I know, I know. It was stupid and cruel." I ran my hands through my hair. "But she never backed down. She fought me every step of the way."

"Sounds like my kind of woman."

"She is... extraordinary. But I kept pushing her away. Every time she'd accomplish something, I'd find a way to diminish it." The shame burned hot in my chest. "I'd say things like, 'Congratulations on finally doing your job properly, Kate,' or 'Surprised you managed to pull that off without my help.'"

Genevieve's eyes widened. "And she didn't quit?"

"No. That's the thing about Kate—she never gives up." Pride swelled alongside the guilt. "She'd just look me dead in the eye and say, 'Your approval isn't on my list of requirements, David.' And walk away with her head high."

"So how did you go from being her workplace nemesis to... whatever this is now?" She gestured at my tear-streaked face.

"I don't even know when it happened."

"And now she's sick?" Genevieve prompted gently.

"Yeah." The words still felt surreal. "She's in surgery right now. She told me not to come, said she didn't want me there."

"And you listened?"

"My father said I had to respect her wishes." I looked down at my phone, still clutched tightly in my hand.

Genevieve considered this for a moment, then said, "If you love her, you shouldn't have left her."

"She wanted me to leave," I protested. "She didn't want to see me."

"That's because she's scared too." Genevieve's voice was firm now. "She doesn't want you to see how vulnerable and helpless she can be. She needs you, David."

I nodded, hoping to stir in my chest. "I can try to make this work. To make us work."

Genevieve shook her head, impatience flashing across her face. "It wouldn't be fair if she wakes up and you're not there. You have to go."

"What if—"

"Are you still sitting?" She stood abruptly, pulling me to my feet. "Get up and get going. Be her knight in shining armor till the very end."

The urgency in her voice cut through my hesitation. She was right. I'd wasted enough time already.

I shot to my feet, nodded at her, and raced back to the garden where the so-called birthday picnic was going on, none of them having noticed the celebrant was absent.

"Dad?" I called out loudly. Everyone turned to me, conversations halting mid-sentence.

I didn't wait for questions. "I'm going to see Kate right now."

Dad's face darkened. "What?! No."

"You can't stop me." My voice rang with newfound determination. "She needs me. I'm going there now." I turned to Mom, silently pleading for support. "Mom..."

She smiled, eyes bright with understanding. "Go get her," she encouraged, and Dad glared at her.

I didn't wait for a second chance. I stumbled backward, turned, and raced away. Behind me, I heard the murmurs of confusion, Dad's protests, Mom's soothing voice—but none of it mattered.