Page 37 of The Surgeon's Secret

Lexi moved closer, her voice steady and filled with quiet reassurance. “You don’t have to be alone. If you’re really leaving him…you have me. And whatever happens next, you’re not alone.”

Catherine turned her head to meet Lexi’s gaze, and in that moment, she saw the sincerity in her eyes. There was no judgment, no hesitation—only understanding.

“I never thought I’d be here,” Catherine admitted, her voice soft but clear. “With you. After everything. But I don’t want to lose you, Lexi. Not after all this. I love you.”

Lexi’s heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. She reached for Catherine’s hand and gently caressed it with her thumb. “I love you, too. I always did. Right from the start. You won’t lose me…not unless you decide to. But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

A wave of gratitude washed over Catherine, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to believe in something beyond the mess she’d made of her life. She could have a future—one where she wasn’t bound to someone who couldn’t see her, where she didn’t have to hide her love.

“I’ve made my decision,” Catherine said, her voice steady as the weight of it settled over her like a shield. “Once I’m out of here, I’m filing for divorce. I’m done with James. I’ve been done for a long time. I just needed to find the courage to say it out loud to him. And now I have.”

Lexi’s eyes softened as she reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind Catherine’s ear. “I’m proud of you,” she said quietly. “You’re stronger than you know.”

Catherine smiled, a genuine, small smile that felt foreign on her face. She hadn’t smiled in a long time, not truly. But with Lexi here, with the possibility of a future—there was hope.

The soft hum of the hospital room was comforting in its familiarity. The sterile scent of antiseptic and the quiet beeping of machines had become the soundtrack of Catherine’s recovery. She lay in the bed, her head wrapped in bandages, eyes half-lidded as she stared at the ceiling. It wasn’t a bad day, but it wasn’t good, either. There were moments when the pain in her head was bearable, and others when it felt like a vise, squeezing tighter with every passing second.

A gentle knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She blinked, squinting at the figure who entered—Lexi, of course, with that soft, familiar smile, the one that made Catherine’s heart skip.

“Hey, how’s my favorite patient?” Lexi’s voice was light, but there was an undertone of concern that Catherine didn’t miss.

“I’m surviving,” Catherine answered, trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice, but it came out a little flat. Her headache was making it hard to be anything but tired.

Lexi gave a soft laugh as she walked over to the side of the bed, holding something behind her back. “You’re not allowed to say you’re surviving with a frown on your face, like it’s a bad thing. Besides, I brought you something.”

Catherine raised an eyebrow. “What is it, a cure for my headache?”

“Something better.” Lexi revealed a thermos from behind her back, carefully placing it on the bedside table. Catherine blinked in surprise—it wasn’t a bouquet of flowers like most people would bring to a hospital room, but it sparked her curiosity.

“I didn’t know if you’d be up for eating, so I figured I’d try this first,” Lexi said, opening the thermos to reveal steaming tea. “Chamomile with a little honey. It’s your favorite, right?”

Catherine’s lips quirked into a smile. “You remember.”

“I remember a lot of things.” Lexi’s gaze softened as she poured the tea, the liquid swirling in the cup with a calming warmth. “Like how you always drink this when you’re stressed, or how you prefer it without the lemon.”

Catherine watched her, her chest tightening a little. She hadn’t realized how much she missed these small details—the way Lexi paid attention to her, the way she knew her preferences without needing to ask. It was a kindness that had always been there, and it suddenly felt like a comfort she couldn’t live without.

Lexi handed her the mug carefully, her fingers brushing against Catherine’s as she did so. “Here,” she said softly. “I know it’s just tea, but I thought it might help.”

Catherine took the mug, savoring the warmth that seeped into her hands. She lifted it to her lips, the soothing steam drifting up to meet her face, and took a slow sip. It was perfect, just the way she liked it—a little sweet, with the hint of chamomile that always seemed to calm her nerves.

“Thank you,” she murmured, meeting Lexi’s gaze over the rim of the mug.

“Of course,” Lexi replied, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She moved to sit in the chair beside the bed, pulling it closer as if settling in for a long visit. “I know you’re probably tired, but I’m not leaving. You’ve got me for the whole evening.”

Catherine raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? What did I do to deserve such a devoted nurse?”

Lexi’s smile widened, a bit of playfulness creeping into her tone. “You’re lucky, that’s what. But honestly, it’s not a bad gig. I’ve got a front-row seat to your stunning recovery.”

Catherine chuckled softly, the sound slightly strained but genuine. “Right. It’s a real show.”

“Best kind of show,” Lexi said warmly. She leaned back in the chair, her eyes never leaving Catherine. “But seriously…how are you feeling?”

Catherine set the mug down on the table, her fingers tracing the rim absentmindedly. “I’m okay,” she said, though the words didn’t feel quite right. The truth was, she wasn’t okay. She hadn’t been okay for a long time. “Head hurts a bit, but I’m managing.”

Lexi nodded, her expression understanding but quiet, as if she could see through the mask Catherine was wearing. Without another word, she stood and walked to the window, pulling the blinds slightly to let more light into the room. The late afternoon sun bathed the room in a golden glow, the light dancing over the hospital linens and making everything feel a little less sterile, a little more alive.

“There,” Lexi said, turning back to Catherine. “I thought you might like some sunlight. You’ve been cooped up in here for a while.”

---