Page 14 of The Surgeon's Secret

“Youare incredible,” Lexi said, her voice soft but intense.

But Lexi knew she had to stop this from going any further. The reality of what they’d done was starting to sink in, and the consequences of their actions loomed large in her mind.

“Catherine, we can’t keep doing this,” Lexi said gently, sitting back on her heels. “This is crazy. You have a husband.”

“I don’t care,” Catherine said quickly, her eyes filling with tears. “I don’t care about him anymore.”

Lexi’s heart ached at the sight of Catherine’s vulnerability. She wanted to gather her in her arms, to hold her and tell her everything would be okay, to kiss away her tears. But the truth was, itdidmatter. They couldn’t keep doing this. It wasn’t just the affair; it was everything it would take to maintain it—the complications, the lies, the hurt that would inevitably follow. Lexi shouldn’t have started this. She certainly didn’t want to be some straight woman’s dirty little secret—she was too old for that. And God only knew what would happen when Josephine found out. She was supposed to be making a good impression, and stealing someone else’s wife was not the way to do it.

Lexi stood up and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Catherine. I can’t do this. I wish I could, but I can’t.”

Catherine watched her, her eyes wide with disbelief, her lips trembling. “Lexi, please…don’t leave,” she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

But Lexi forced herself to turn away, to pull herself out of the moment. She had to go. She had to stop this before it spiraled even further out of control.

“I’m sorry,” Lexi said again, her voice barely a whisper as she reached for the door.

As she left the room, the image of Catherine—tearful, vulnerable, and still lying on the bed—haunted her. Walking away from her was the hardest thing Lexi had ever done. But deep down, she knew it was for the best.

8

CATHERINE

When Lexi left the on-call room, Catherine felt like her heart had been torn from her chest. She’d thought there was something different between them, a connection she wanted so badly to be real. But did she truly want a relationship, or was it simply desire? Catherine wanted Lexi desperately—and nervously, yes, because she’d never done this before. But as she sat on her sofa that night, thoughts swirling, she found herself fixating on what it would be like to go down on Lexi, to taste her, to run her tongue along every inch of her body.

Lexi had haunted her mind for the rest of the day, leaving Catherine heartbroken. She wanted to make everything right between them.

That night, Catherine decided she needed advice and headed out to visit her old friend, Dr. Sinead Gallagher, a former residency colleague and the only lesbian Catherine knew well. As she madeher way to the bus stop—something she almost never did—she figured tonight was the perfect night to try something different.

Sinead had sounded slightly confused when Catherine asked to meet, but she’d agreed nonetheless. When Catherine finally knocked on her door, it swung open to reveal Sinead in her usual casual attire: jeans, a T-shirt, messy hair, and bare feet. She had an effortless, scruffy charm that was undeniably her trademark style.

“Come on in. Sorry about the mess,” Sinead said, not bothering to tidy or put on airs. Catherine found a small space on the cluttered sofa and settled in, trying to steady her nerves.

“So what can I help you with?” Sinead asked, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

“It’s…a bit awkward, really,” Catherine began, feeling heat rise to her cheeks. She took a deep breath and decided to just say it. “I’ve met a woman. And…I like her. I mean, in a romantic way. Well, actually, more than that. In a very…sexual way.” Catherine paused, hoping she didn’t sound as ridiculous as she felt. “She seems to like me too, but she pulled back, and I don’t know what to do. I thought maybe you could help me?”

Sinead raised an eyebrow before bursting into laughter. Catherine blinked, a little stunned.

“What’s so funny?” Catherine asked, slightly embarrassed.

“Oh, it’s just…of all the things you might have needed advice on, I didn’t expectthis,” Sinead replied, still chuckling.

“So you don’t think I’m gay?” Catherine asked cautiously.

Sinead shrugged. “Sexuality isn’t that straightforward. It’s a spectrum. Some people are more drawn to one side, others to the opposite, and some float somewhere in-between. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to tip the balance.”

“She’s certainly tipped something,” Catherine muttered, her cheeks heating even more.

Sinead laughed again. “Don’t get me wrong—I’m not laughing atyou, just at the situation. I’m happy to help, really. So who’s the woman?”

“She’s the new neuro attending, Lexi Bond. Have you met her?”

“Oh, yeah. Blue eyes, shiny ponytail—she’s hard to miss. We did a surgery together the other day. She’s sharp, very talented. I’d happily work with her again, and yeah…those eyes are something, if that’s your thing.”

“Well, as it turns out, itismy thing,” Catherine admitted with a wry smile.

“So you and Bond—are you two, you know, doing it?” Sinead asked, raising an eyebrow.

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