Rebirth Into My Second Chance

"Dr. Floyd, we've got a surgery that needs your expertise right now!"

Even as the nurse called out for me, Max didn't pause or glance my way.

But somehow, I found his focus endearing, no matter who he was.

In the week following the flood, our days were all about surgeries and medical check-ups for the villagers until life gradually returned to calm.

Using the scalpel for extended periods left blisters on my hands, dried and likely to turn into calluses over time. Yet, this temporary relief effort seemed to elevate my spirit to a new level. "Here." Out of nowhere, Max appeared, handing me a tube of burn ointment.

I didn't move.

He looked down at me. "Need help applying it?"

I smirked, stepping closer. Max hesitated, then stepped back, but as I moved forward again, he stopped retreating and offered a half-smile. "Alright, I'll help you."

I asked casually, "Is it Maximilian helping me, or Max?"

"Does it make a difference?" His hands, like mine, were blistered from days immersed in water and long hours of surgery.

I said firmly, "It does. I wouldn't seduce Max, but Maximilian, maybe."

He paused, pressing a bit harder as he treated my wound, and said, "It's your choice."

"Then I'll tend to Maximilian's wounds." I took his hand in mine. He didn't pull away, letting me do as I wished.

It felt like we were healing each other's wounds, being each other's band-aid then.

"Max." Irksome to my ears, a voice came from beside us. I held Max's hand without letting go, turning toward the source.

I saw Tracey, in a white dress, walking down the cleared path as if coming to stake her claim.

But I didn't release Max's hand. I was ready to challenge Tracey, and the opportunity had presented itself sooner than expected.

"Dr. Floyd, you're here, too? Max, I came from Crestview to pick you up. Isn't there a product launch today?" She deliberately ignored our interlocked hands. Max hummed in acknowledgment.

He turned to me and said, "We should head back to Crestview." He didn't board Tracey's plane but joined the medical staff on a commercial flight instead. Max boarded the plan ahead of me and turned at the last step, extending his hand for mine. Confused, I placed my hand in his. He gripped it tightly.

Many aboard the flight, including the medics and rescuers, noticed use hand in hand and couldn't help but applaud, with some even cheering, "Dr. Hilton and Dr. Floyd, wishing you all the happiness!"

Everything felt serene, and even how we dealt with situations was calm.NôvelDrama.Org © content.

As we sat down, Max suddenly spoke, "Is there anything you want to ask?"

I pursed my lips. "Max, could the Hilton family return my parents' ashes to me?"

The question had been on my mind for days. Rather than questioning why Max kept his identity from me, I was more concerned about something that had burdened me for years.

"They've always been with the Hilton family." Max's gaze was as deep as a lake, frank and straightforward.

I asked again, "Could you return them to me?"

Max nodded. "Whenever you want, they're yours."

Maximilian was known as a devil dominating the economic elite, yet Max felt so ordinary and warm to me. He was not at all the villain, not someone I could hate. But I had planned to hurt him and use him. How could I soften my heart? I turned my face away, refusing to look at him.