Page 41 of Shattering

She willed herself to stay professional.

Vanessa was dressed in immaculate scrubs, her dark hair tied into a sleek ponytail. Her expression was calm, detached—the picture of professionalism.

"Dr. Hughes."

"Dr. Seymour."

Cadi gestured toward a chair, ignoring the way her fingers tightened involuntarily around her pen.

"What can I do for you?"

Venessa lowered herself gracefully into the chair, flipping open a patient file as she spoke.

"I have a referral."

She went straight into the case—a 32-year-old male, airlifted from a peripheral hospital in the Northwest following a high-impact RTA.

He had been intubated due to respiratory failure but had since regained consciousness.

"Spinal cord oedema is significant," Vanessa continued, her tone clipped and efficient. "We're into his second week in the ITU , monitoring closely, but realistically, he'll need early specialist input once the acute phase stabilizes. I wanted someone from rehab to speak to him and his family."

Cadi's mind automatically clicked into consultant mode, absorbing the details.

"Level of injury?"

"C4-C5. Initial scans suggest incomplete, but function is currently minimal. Loss of diaphragm control was a concern, but he's weaning off the vent."

Cadi nodded, already thinking through the long road ahead for this patient—spinal shock, secondary complications, psychological impact, family counselling.

"I'll come by before I leave today."

Vanessa's eyebrow arched slightly, as if surprised at Cadi's composure, but she didn't comment.

Instead, she simply closed the file and stood.

For a moment, it seemed like she was about to leave.

Sue had already stepped out and was wheeling the files back to the secretary..

But then—Vanessa turned back and closed the door.

Vanessa took a slow step forward, her expression shifting into something that almost looked like concern.

"How are you feeling, Cadi? With... everything that's been going on?"

Cadi's jaw tightened, her fingers clenching under the desk.

"That isDr. Hughesto you," she replied coolly. " Now ,if you wouldn't mind..."

Vanessa's lips curled slightly, as if amused by the response. But then, something changed—a flicker of something darker crossed her face.

And just like that, the false sympathy vanished.

She tilted her head, her voice turning low, smooth, almost pitying.

"You know,"she mused, "it's funny how much Gray and I have talked about you these past few weeks."

Cadi's breath hitched, but she didn't blink.

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