Page 1 of The Surgeon's Secret

1

LEXI

Dr. Lexi Bond looked up at the huge building in front of her: Phoenix Ridge Hospital, the place she’d been anticipating working at for so long. She had researched everything about the hospital—its excellent surgical program, its feminist leadership, and the glowing reviews from people who’d worked there for years. Lexi wondered if she’d fit in. Normally, she wouldn’t have worried about that, but under the circumstances…well, she would have to reveal her real identity sooner or later. And while that was something she’d wanted to do for most of her life—since she was ten years old and found out who her father was—now, faced with the knowledge that her sister was working inside this hospital and they were finally about to meet, chills raced through Lexi’s body.

Lexi knew she was a highly skilled neurosurgeon. She knew she shouldn’t be afraid of anything this hospital had to offer. She knew she should stand with pride in front of her sister and boldly tell her who she was.

Lexi’s phone rang. Her mom’s name flashed on the screen.

“Mom,” Lexi answered.

“Hey, sweetheart, how are you feeling? You must be nervous. I’m thinking of you.”

“Thanks for calling, Mom. I’m a little nervous, yeah. I just can’t believe I’m going to meet her after all these years. For a while, I thought I’d be okay with never saying anything, but now that I’m here, I know I have to tell her. I just can’t go the rest of my life not knowing her or how she’ll react to having a sister.”

“Oh, my darling, you’re incredible, and she’ll be lucky to have you in her life. Have you thought again about meeting him?”

Lexi sighed.Him. Her father. She’d never met him. Her mother had told her wonderful things about him, but no matter how lovely, charming, kind, or generous he’d been, nothing could excuse his actions—abandoning Lexi and her mother. He’d lived his life and chosen a path that didn’t involve them.

“I’ve thought about it so many times. I wish I had an answer, but I don’t. I can’t stop feeling angry at him. I can’t stop hating him for how much he hurt you. And what kind of man never even tries to meet his daughter?”

“Oh, baby, I know. This is something you’ll get through in your own time, and only if you want to. For now, meeting your half-sister will be enough.”

“Yeah,” Lexi replied. “Speaking of that, I’d better go. I don’t want to be late.”

“Okay, baby. I love you so much. Have a good day, and let me know how it goes. I’ll be thinking of you.”

“Love you, Mom.”

Lexi adored her mom. Rebecca had spent so many years raising Lexi on her own, loving her enough for two parents. Sometimes Lexi found it suffocating, but her mother’s support had been invaluable. And today, Lexi was going to meet her sister.

Lexi took a deep breath and walked into the hospital. The corridors smelled sterile in that familiar hospital way. Lexiwalked into the elevator and pressed the button for Floor D. As soon as the doors opened, Lexi let out a deep breath. Entering the surgical wing felt like coming home. Surgery was her comfort zone. Lexi was passionate about her work; she never let a patient down. Real life and relationships were uncomfortable and hard to figure out, but the bustling atmosphere in front of her felt right.

Lexi consulted her phone, where she’d saved the directions to her nine o’clock meeting.

A sweet-looking blonde woman sat at the reception desk, and Lexi approached her. “I have a 9 a.m. meeting with Dr. Mars.”

The blonde woman smiled widely. “Of course. Just take a seat over there. I’ll ring Dr. Mars to let her know you’re here.”

Lexi sat on the plastic hospital chair as nervous energy buzzed through her veins. She looked at the office door in front of her, the name plaque reading “Dr. Josephine Mars.” Her half-sister.

Lexi had, of course, Googled photos of Dr. Mars before, so her appearance wasn’t a surprise. But when the door opened and Dr. Mars beckoned her in, it still felt like a shock. Josephine had sandy hair cut into a bob with gray strands starting to show at her temples. She was a petite woman in an immaculate designer suit, and Lexi couldn’t help but notice how smart she looked. Her eyes sparkled with kindness.

“I’m Dr. Josephine Mars. And you must be…. Dr. Alexis Bond,” Josephine said, stretching out her hand.

Lexi noticed the pause—Josephine had waited for her to give her own name—but Lexi hadn’t reacted quickly enough. Josephine chuckled to herself as she gripped Lexi’s hand and shook it enthusiastically. She had a lot of strength for someone so petite.

“Come in, come in,” Josephine said. Lexi followed her into the office and sat in the chair across from Josephine’s desk.

Lexi noted the similarities between Josephine’s face and her own. It was mostly their eyes that tied them together—those blue eyes that sparkled like she was looking at herself in a mirror. Lexi was taller and broader than Josephine, but she recognized her own grace in her sister’s movements. She had to remind herself that Josephine was twenty years older than her.

“So,” Josephine began, “it’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Bond. Your resume is glowing. I’m honored to have you here at Phoenix Ridge Hospital. We’ll just go through some initial paperwork, and then I’ll introduce you to Catherine Spencer, one of our general surgeons. She’ll show you around.”

Lexi crossed her legs under the table, trying to hide her nerves. This was it. This was the moment.

“Do you have any questions?” Josephine asked.

Lexi took a deep breath. “Actually, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

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