Wilson sat at her office desk, staring at the discharge file before her. Her fingers hovered over the pen, hesitating. She didn't want to do this.
Stella was leaving.
After years of searching, years of wondering where Stella had gone, she was here. And now, just like that—she was leaving again.
Wilson swallowed, her chest tightening. She had no idea what to do. Should she go see her? Say goodbye?
Would Stella even care?
With a slow exhale, Wilson signed the discharge papers and handed them to the nurse standing beside her.
"Make sure everything is set for her departure," she said, her voice colder than she intended.
The nurse nodded, hesitating for a second. "Dr. Wilson… are you sure you don't want to—"
"No," Wilson cut in quickly, forcing herself to look back at the screen. "She's just another patient."
A lie.But one she needed to believe.
Stella Wakes Up
The soft rustling of paper was the first thing Stella noticed as she stirred awake. Blinking against the morning light, she reached for the small note resting on her bedside table under her phone.
Her heart skipped a beat as she read.
"Get well soon, troublemaker. Don't make the nurses' lives harder than mine. - Dr. Wilson."
A slow, radiant smile spread across her lips. She held the note close to her chest, unable to stop the warmth bubbling inside her. It was simple, but it was Wilson—her Wilson.
"Why are you smiling like that?"
Stella looked up, realizing Damien was watching her curiously as he folded some of her clothes into a suitcase.
She quickly shook her head, trying—and failing—to tone down her excitement. "Nothing. Just happy to finally be getting out of here."
Damien raised an eyebrow but didn't push. "Well, I hope you're ready. Your parents are waiting, and we need to get going."
Stella woke up, went to shower and stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down her clothes. She had forgotten she was going to be discharged. She should be happy.
She was finally leaving this place.
But instead, her eyes kept darting toward the door.
Waiting.
Her parents were outside, but she wasn't ready to step out. Not yet.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the hospital bed. Where was she?
Why wasn't she here?
Stella turned to one of the nurses. She hesitated before whispering, "Is Dr. Wilson not coming here?"
The nurse's eyes flickered with something—pity?
"I'm sorry, ma'am," she said gently. "She's quite busy at her office."
Stella felt something sink inside her.
Oh.
She nodded slowly, hiding her disappointment with a small, forced smile.
She really isn't coming.
With one last glance at the door, Stella picked up her bag and walked away. Living Damien who was waiting for her.
"Go ahead. I'll meet you all outside," she told Damien.
"But—"
"It won't take long." Her voice left no room for argument.
With one last glance at the note in her hand, Stella tucked it into her purse and walked out of the ward.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Stella didn't walk out of the hospital.
Not yet.
She needed answers.
She asked the nurses where Wilson's office was, and now, she stood in front of the door.
Her heart was pounding.
Why did she even care so much?
With a deep breath, she knocked.
"Come in," came Wilson's familiar voice from the other side.
Stella pushed the door open, stepping inside.
The moment their eyes met, the air shifted.
Tension. Thick. Unspoken.
Wilson, who had been staring at her computer screen, slowly leaned back in her chair. Her face was unreadable, but Stella noticed the way her fingers slightly tightened against the desk.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, Stella took a step forward.
"Why?" she asked, her voice softer than she intended.
Wilson's brow furrowed. "Why what?"
"Why didn't you come to say goodbye?"
Wilson exhaled, shifting her gaze to the side. "I was busy."
Stella scoffed lightly, shaking her head. "Right. Too busy to even stop by for a second?"
Wilson remained silent.
Stella stepped closer. "Did I do something wrong?"
Wilson's eyes snapped to hers.
Stella crossed her arms. "Because it feels like you're pushing me away."
Wilson clenched her jaw, then sighed. "You didn't do anything wrong, Stella."
"Then why?" Stella insisted. "Why are you acting like this?"
Wilson's lips parted, as if she wanted to say something. But instead, she pressed them into a thin line.
Silence.
Stella watched her for a long moment before finally exhaling.
"Look, I don't know what's going on between us," she admitted, shifting on her feet. "And maybe I shouldn't care so much. But I do."
Wilson's eyes darkened slightly.
"So, can we at least be friends?" Stella asked, her voice quieter now.
Wilson studied her for a long, tense moment.
Then, she reached for her phone on the desk and held it up.
"Give me your number," she said.
Stella blinked. Surprised. Relieved.
She took out her own phone, and within seconds, their numbers were exchanged.
Stella looked at her screen, then back at Wilson.
Wilson, who still hadn't looked away.
"Take care, Dr. Wilson," Stella finally murmured.
She turned to leave.
But before she stepped out, Wilson's voice stopped her.
"Stella."
Stella glanced over her shoulder.
Wilson's lips parted, as if she wanted to say something more.
But instead, she just nodded.
That was enough.
Stella smiled faintly and walked out.
At the Nurses' Station