Dear Ex Wife, Please take me back novel Chapter 83

ATHENA

I manage a nod, ice creeping into my veins. “Such wonderful news!”

“I’m glad you think so too,” she says brightly, before stepping past me. “I look forward to working with you. I'll teach you so much!”

Is it illegal to smack someone's head?

It would be great if it wasn't!

Her entourage follows her like moths to a flame, leaving behind a cold draft of resentment.

“I don't get how people like her end up in delicate places like these!” A voice sounding extremely annoyed reaches my ears, and I turn to find a beautiful redhead. With her arms crossed.

Her coat isn’t white like the others, but navy trimmed with gold…

Wait!

That's a senior attending coat!

The badge on her chest reads: Dr. Isabelle Whitmore, Trauma Surgery Lead, Quinns Institute Exchange Program.

And beneath it, stitched into the fabric in silver thread: Chief Surgical Consultant, Level V Trauma.

I blink.

Not knowing what to say.

“What's your name?” she asks.

“Athena. Athena Dawson.”

She looks at me before nodding,

“I assume you’re the famous Athena Dawson, the second-year who apparently sent a dying man back from the brink using some very unorthodox methods?”

“News surely travels fast,” I respond cautiously, shaking her hand.

“Well,” she smiles “thank God for rebels. Protocols are great until they kill someone.”

My lips twitch. I like her already.

She turns to watch Leah’s group disappear down the hall.

“Leah Woods,” Isabelle mutters under her breath like the name tastes sour. “Still climbing ladders she didn’t build, I see.”

“You know her?” I ask, surprised.

“We did a rotation together years ago,” she shocks me with a response.

“Let’s just say... some people wear white coats like crowns instead of tools.” She glances at me again, her expression softening. “Don’t worry. If she tries anything, you come to me. But seeing how you were able to hold your ground, I'm sure you'll be fine.”

My chest loosens, and I feel much better.

“You’re only here for a rotation?” I ask, trying not to sound disappointed over someone I just met a minute ago.

Have you ever clicked with someone so instantly?

“Was. But Dr. Quinn asked me to extend. Apparently, some of the new talent here is worth mentoring.” She tilts her head, assessing me. “Think you’ll live up to the hype?”

Something settles in my spine.

“Me?”

She laughs.

“Girl.” Is all she says with a shake of her head.

She taps me on the shoulder before walking away, her steps confident and her presence lingering like a protective shield.

I’m about to turn and leave, too, when a voice slices through the air behind me.

“Dr. Dawson.”

My breath catches.

Standing a few feet away is a man who somehow looks better every time I see him.

Dr. Iann Quinn.

Am I in trouble?

I whisper, “Am I in trouble?”

He doesn’t respond. Just keeps walking. Taking long strides, I have to run slightly to catch up.

Tall men!

My feet follow, even as dread curls low in my stomach.

Leah.

She must’ve run her mouth already. Maybe she called Alex. Maybe he called Dr. Quinn. Maybe I’m about to lose everything once again.

But I didn’t do anything wrong…

Right???

Okay, maybe I bent a few rules... but they were necessary.

I saved someone!

I’m so deep in my spiraling thoughts that I don’t notice the wall of muscle in front of me until I crash straight into it.

“Oof-”

I stumble back, about to land flat on my ass when a firm hand shoots out and catches me by the waist.

“I’m so-” The apology dies in my throat.

Because when I look up, I’m staring into a pair of jade-green eyes.

Familiar.

Intense.

Deep.

You've got to be fucking kidding me.