"Give her nitroglycerin if the pain returns," Diana instructed the nurse, handing over the file.
She stepped out of the patient's room, fatigue weighing on her shoulders. Her neck ached, and the thought of a massage floated through her mind like a distant reward.
Dragging her feet, she reached her cabin and opened the door, hoping for a few minutes of rest. But instead of solitude, she found Ben standing inside... holding a cake.
"Ben?" she said, surprised.
He straightened up with a small smile. "Hey, Diana..."
"What are you doing here? And what's with the cake?" she asked, puzzled but curious.
"I thought you needed it," Ben replied simply.
The sincerity in his voice melted away a bit of her exhaustion. A soft smile formed on her lips as she walked over and sank into her chair.
Ben cut a piece and held it out to her. She hesitated for a second, then accepted it with a faint smile.
"I thought it was your birthday," she said, eyeing him playfully.
"If it were, I wouldn't be celebrating like this. Not here. Not like this," he teased as he fed her the cake.
Diana bit into it, her eyes locked on his, an unspoken warmth hanging in the air between them.
Just then, a knock broke the silence.
Ben turned. Max stood at the doorway, leaning casually against the frame with a smirk.
"Wow," Max said. "Did I interrupt something?"
Diana quickly wiped a spot of cream from her lip, avoiding his gaze. The light mood shifted as Max stepped inside, sarcasm dripping from his tone.
"Looks like I just walked in on two lovebirds."
Diana held her composure and exchanged a quick glance with Ben.
"I think you did," Ben replied, locking eyes with Max.
Max's jaw tightened. He took a step forward, voice sharp.
"Oh, then I'm definitely not sorry for ruining your little romantic moment with your girlfriend."
Diana stepped in, her tone steady.
"What do you want, Max?"
She knew he wasn't here for his hand... at least not entirely.
Max raised his palm, feigning innocence.
"I'm here for my doctor. My hand's still bleeding, remember?"
Diana let out a long sigh, already tired of the game.
"Sit down. I'll take care of it."
Ben placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Diana, let me do it. You just got here. You should rest."
Max shot Ben a hard look, his jaw clenched.
"Ms. Diana, should I file a complaint? You were free, eating cake with your boyfriend, and ignored a patient."
Diana whipped her head toward Max, her voice rising.
"He's not my boyfriend, Max. Watch your mouth."
Their eyes locked, anger flaring in the silence between them.
Breaking the tension, Diana turned to Ben.
"Ben, please wait outside. I'll treat him."
Ben gave her a small nod, then walked out, but not before exchanging a cold, lingering stare with Max.
Max slumped into the chair, irritated, and dragged it closer with a screech. Diana sat beside him and started cleaning the wound.
After a long minute, Diana broke it. Her voice was calm, but firm.
"You need to calm down. Stress and anger aren't doing you any favors."
Max didn't answer. He looked away.
Diana reached for a syringe.
Max narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping into his voice.
"What are you doing?"
Diana raised an eyebrow, syringe in hand.
"I need your blood sample," she said calmly.
Max blinked, caught off guard.
"Wait, what?"
"Your wound isn't healing. I need to check if you have diabetes."
Max pushed up from the chair.
"Are you crazy?"
Diana grabbed his hand firmly, tilting her head with a smirk.
"Don't tell me you're scared of a syringe."
Max scoffed, trying to pull his hand back.
"What are you blabbering, Diana?"
Diana rolled her eyes.
"I'm serious."
Max clenched his jaw, frustration rising.
"You're not a good doctor. You don't even explain things... you just poke people and harass them for no reason."
"Oh really?" Diana shot back, eyes flashing.
"Who's harassing whom? You're the one always pushing my buttons."
"Me? I don't do it on purpose. You're the one who never listens!" Max argued, voice rising.
"You never do anything to make me stay," Diana replied, softer now, her eyes searching his.
Max fell silent, her words landing heavier than he expected. Before he could answer, she held up the filled syringe.
"Too late. I already took the sample."
Max looked away, biting back a smile.
"Diana... Francisco's sending me out of the city. I don't know how long I'll be gone."
Diana froze.
"What?"
"It's dangerous. Might be our last meeting... I just wanted to—"
"Stop it, Max," she cut in, her voice trembling.
"What are you saying? Where is he sending you?"
"Diana, you know we never share our location during secret deals. Why are you even asking?" Max deflected, rising to leave.
Diana grabbed his hand, stopping him.
"Max, please… you can tell me, right?"
Their eyes locked. Tension and unspoken emotions crackled between them. Max's gaze softened. He gently touched her cheek.
"I only came to see you, Diana. That's all."
"You wanted that too… didn't you?"
He hesitated, then added, "Now I'm really leaving."
Diana shook her head, hurt flashing in her eyes. He had misunderstood her. The silence between them was heavy.
Max forced a smile.
"Take care of yourself, Diana."
His words stirred something inside her. She couldn't let him go... again... not like this.
"Max, wait," she said, stepping closer. "You trust me, don't you? You can tell me everything."
Max didn't answer. Instead, he leaned in and kissed her cheek—gentle, final.
"Bye, Diana."
"Max, listen!" she called out, chasing after him as he walked out.
"Please, just listen to me!"
Staff members in the hallway paused, watching the rare emotional scene unfold.
Diana reached out, grabbing his arm.
"Max, please!"
He turned, holding her arms gently but firmly. His face was full of quiet pain.
"Diana… please."
A beat of silence.
"I won't tell you," he said, voice low.
And with that, he walked away, leaving her standing there... frozen, hurting, eyes following him until he disappeared from view.
Why do you always leave me alone, Max?
****
Diana rushed out of the hospital. It was 8 p.m., and her mind raced. She needed to get back to the mansion. She had to find out where Francisco had sent Max.
"Diana!" a voice called.
She turned. "Ben!"
"Are you in a hurry?" he asked, noticing the tension in her eyes.
"Yeah... I need to get home," she said, barely slowing her pace.
Ben gently touched her arm. "I'll drive you."
She shook her head. "Not today, dear. I'll call you when I'm home, okay?"
Without waiting for his response, she walked off, leaving Ben standing there, confused and concerned.
Diana hurried toward the parking lot, her thoughts spinning. She hit the key fob. The car lights blinked.
Just as she reached for the handle, a hand shot out... pressing a cloth over her mouth.
Panic surged.
She held her breath, recognizing the chemical sting of chloroform. She elbowed backward, desperate to break free.
But the attacker was stronger. He shoved her against the car, pinning her hands behind her back. She struggled, tried to scream, but the parking lot was empty.
Her strength faded. Her vision blurred. She fought it—but the drug won.
Her eyes fluttered shut.
The assailant pulled the cloth away and lifted her with practiced ease. Within seconds, they vanished into the shadows, leaving the parking lot still and silent.