Love's Redemption



That evening, Lena finished her final post-op inspection for a pregnant patient, pulled off her gloves, and officially ended her day of work.

"Dr. Lane, time to go!" The head nurse came over to call her.

"Go where?" Lena was exhausted. At that moment, she didn't even want to move-she just wanted to go home and collapse into bed.

The head nurse grinned. "Dr. Lane, you're so tired you've forgotten! The director announced tonight's celebration banquet. The hotel is already booked-it's at the Moon Tower here in Seavora."

"Can I take a rain check?" Lena didn't even want to change out of her scrubs.

"You're the guest of honor tonight. How could you not go?" The head nurse, seeing how truly drained Lena looked, stepped forward to help her out of her work uniform. "You don't have to do anything there except eat and drink.

She didn't even feel like eating or drinking-was that okay?

But some things can't be avoided. No matter how much Lena didn't want to go, she couldn't refuse. As the head nurse had said, she was the star of the evening. If she didn't go, how could anyone else feel comfortable attending?

Though she wasn't looking forward to it, others were eagerly anticipating it. The head nurse's reaction made that clear.

Sure enough, as soon as Lena stepped out of the changing room, Nate was already there. " You can ride with me later," he said.

"No need. I'll drive myself. That way, I can leave right after dinner," Lena declined.

Nate didn't insist, but a trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes. He could sense the growing distance between them.

"The two of you, as the main guests, don't need to drive. The hospital has prepared a bus to take us there," the head nurse chimed in again.

"Everyone's ready. Let's go together," someone called out. Soon, everyone who could -attend gathered together.novelbin

On the bus, people quickly found their seats. In the end, only the two center seats were left

for Nate and Lena.

Lena didn't think much of it. She sat down gracefully and pulled out her phone to send a message to Aaron: [Uncle, we have a celebration at the hospital tonight. I'll be home late.]

At that moment, Aaron was sitting on the couch at home. The pot in the kitchen was still steaming.

He knew she would be tired today, so he'd decided to prepare something at home to celebrate, letting her relax.

[Okay.]

Lena received a single word in reply.

She couldn't help but smile, thinking to herself, Does it cost you money to use more words? Why so stingy?

Nate noticed her smile and instinctively glanced at her phone. He saw the contact icon-a simple "Z."

Was this someone new she'd befriended recently?

Sensing Nate's gaze, Lena quietly put away her phone and closed her eyes.

The bus was quiet for a moment until a young nurse broke the silence.

“The hospital arranged for a driver. They're definitely going to have us drink later. Just a heads-up-I'm not good with alcohol. Please don't make me drink too much, especially you guys. If I lose control after drinking, don't blame me.”

"Haha..."

Everyone burst into laughter. Someone chimed in, "Are you issuing a warning before you misbehave?"

"I'm just saying, don't push me. If you do, and I drink too much, I'll come after whoever made me drink."

"In that case, I'll drink for you," a male nurse joked.

The laughter grew louder. The female nurse playfully hit him, and the two started bickering. The onlookers joined in, teasing, "Why don't you two just get married here and now? Dr. Lane and Dr. Neumann can be your witnesses.'

Lena hadn't said a single word during all this, yet she was dragged into it.

"Not them! They're unlucky as witnesses-they're exes," someone muttered thoughtlessly.

The atmosphere in the bus instantly froze.

The sudden silence was suffocating. Everyone stole glances at Lena and Nate.

Nate, being the typical reserved academic type, struggled to find words, his awkwardness plain on his face.

Lena broke the tension with a light laugh, brush first. I'll officiate for you then."

The others forced out dry laughs, and no one da

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Lena broke the tension with a light laugh, brushing it off. "Then wait for me to get married first. I'll officiate for you then.'

The others forced out dry laughs, and no one dared to bring up the topic again.