Page 95 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

I swallow hard. “I haven’t talked to her in a while.”

Damon’s silence is telling. “You two have a fight?”

“Sort of,” I admit, running a hand through my hair. “It’s complicated.”

“I’d guess you haven’t spoken to her since she landed in the hospital.”

“Yes,” I confess. “I arrived in her room after my morning shift to find her gone.”

“She’s mad, mad, man.” Damon scoffs. “What did you do to my sister?”

I shake my head, even though he can’t see me. I mutter an apology, feeling the weight of my mistakes. “I’ve really messed up, Damon.”

“We suspected something, and we’re getting worried, Liam. June and I are thinking about cutting the trip short and coming home.”

“No, don’t do that. I’ll handle things. Don’t worry.”

“Can I trust you?”

“You have my word. I love Emma, Damon. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

“Listen, Liam, you better keep your word, man. She’s important to us. I’m only listening to you and not getting on the plane outta here because whatever is going on here, you’re the only one who can fix it.”

I run a hand through my hair, frustration gnawing at me. “I know, Damon. I just don’t know where to start!”

“Well, that’s the problem, isn’t it?” Damon replies. “You haven’t spoken to her since… Well, you know. Since the hospital.”

I flinch at the reminder. The memory of finding Emma’s empty bed, the sterile silence of the room, is etched into my mind. “I’ve tried, Damon, I swear I have! She won’t answer my calls, won’t reply to my texts. She’s also not at home.”

“Find her.” There’s a sharp edge to Damon’s voice now. “Look, Liam, I know you two had a fight, but I’m having faith because you love Emma, and she loves you. Talk to her, man. Figure things out.”

I clench my jaw, the guilt gnawing at me. “It’s not that simple, Damon. There’s something more…” I hesitate, debating whether to confide in my best friend.

“Something more?” Damon prompts, his voice laced with concern.

I take a deep breath. “Dad was tight-lipped about it, but…there seems to be more to Emma’s illness than he’s letting on. He keeps mentioning stress, but…”

“But what?” Damon presses. “Is it serious?”

“I don’t know,” I admit, my frustration spilling over. “I don’t think it’s serious or he wouldn’t hide it from you. But her medical chart is missing. It’s like someone doesn’t want me to know something. I’d bet she told him to hide it.”

Damon whistles sharply. “That’s…not good. Look, Liam, maybe June and I should come home after all.”

My heart pounds. The thought of them leaving their vacation on my account sends a wave of guilt crashing over me. “No, no,” I say quickly. “Don’t do that. You guys deserve this trip. Give me forty-eight hours.”

“You have thirty-six,” Damon says sternly. “Emma needs you, Liam. And for the record, we trust you. Just…promise me you’ll talk to her. Find out what’s wrong, and fix it.”

“I promise, Damon,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “I won’t rest until I do.”

I hang up the phone, a renewed sense of urgency coursing through me. I can't wait any longer. I have to see Emma, have to talk to her, face whatever demons are keeping us apart.

I grab my keys and jacket, a surge of determination replacing the anxiety that has been plaguing me. I will find Emma. I will apologize, explain, and most importantly, listen. I love Emma, and I know, deep down, that whatever the issue is, we can face it together. As long as I can break through her walls and reach the woman I love, there is hope. And right now, hope is all I have.

The first step to figuring out where she might be is in this same hospital. I rap my knuckles against the oak door of my father's office, the sound echoing through the sterile hallway. No answer. Disappointment gnaws at me, but I’m not giving up. He wouldn't be sleeping at this hour, not with the hospital buzzing with activity even at night.

Pushing the door open, I peek inside. Just as I suspected, the room is bathed in the soft glow of his desk lamp, his paperwork spread out in meticulous rows. He looks up as I enter, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before settling into his usual stoic mask.

“Liam,” he says, his voice gruff. “What brings you here at this hour?”

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