Page 13 of The Beat of her Heart

She walked out, shutting the door quietly behind her. Addie made her way to the stafflounge.How could someone be so brilliant yet so distant?

As she entered the lounge, she overheard a group of nurses chatting near the coffee machine.

“Did you see Dr. Carlisle in the OR?” one of them asked, eyes wide. “She’s incredible. Barely broke a sweat.”

Another nurse grinned and added, “She looks like she stepped out of a magazine. If I looked like that, I’d never wear scrubs.”

Addie didn’t join in. She grabbed a cup from the counter and filled it with water, ignoring the conversation. She already knew how the staff would react to someone like Giselle. It was the same story every time—someone new and beautiful, who was also a surgical genius, instantly became the topic of conversation.

But Addie wasn’t interested in gossip. Giselle’s beautybotheredher. And her insides tingled at the thought of her when they should twist in response to her coldness.

She admired Giselle’s skill. How could she not? The knowledge in her movements, the exactness in every cut, every stitch—it was remarkable. But the way Giselle hadlooked through everyone in the room like they didn’t exist...that was hard to swallow.

Addie tossed the empty cup in the trash and made her way to Josephine’s office. She needed to clear her head, and part of that meant figuring out how to avoid being around Giselle more than necessary.

When she reached Josephine’s door, she knocked once before stepping inside. Josephine sat behind her desk, going through a stack of files.

“Addie,” Josephine said without looking up. “Nice work today.”

Addie sighed and forced a smile. “I was only doing my job.”

“How’s Sophie?” Josephine asked.

Addie smiled. Her daughter, Sophie, was best friends with Josephine’s daughter, Natalie. “Sophie’s good.”

Josephine finally looked up. “What brings you here?”

“I need a change,” Addie said, standing in the doorway. “I don’t think I can work with Dr. Carlisle.”

Josephine raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”

Addie crossed her arms. “You’ve seenhow she is. She’s...disconnected. There’s no emotion, no acknowledgment of the people she’s saving. It’s like she’s working with robots, not humans.”

Josephine leaned back in her chair. “She’s a surgeon, Addie. One of the best in the country.”

“I know that,” Addie said, frustration bubbling up. “Her skillset isn’t the issue.”

“Then what is?”

Addie hesitated. How could she explain what bothered her when she wasn’t sure? It wasn’t just about Giselle’s detachment. It was the way her presence unsettled her, the way she felt drawn to someone so cold and brazen. And that made her more frustrated every time she thought about it.

“She doesn’t connect with people,” Addie said finally. “I don’t think she belongs here.”

Josephine sighed, taking off her glasses and rubbing her temples. “Giselle Carlisle isn’t a novice, Addie. She’s here because I wanted the best for this hospital. And we need you to help her adjust.”

Addie’s brows shot up. “Adjust? She doesn’t need to adjust. She’s alreadyoperating in this place like she’s been here for years.”

“She needs to learn how we do things here,” Josephine said. “And you’re the best person to show her.”

“Josephine, she doesn’t need me,” Addie countered. “She’s not some junior doctor. She’s probably more experienced and capable than anyone else on staff.”

“That may be true,” Josephine said, folding her hands on the desk, “but I still need you to show her around. Make sure she understands how we operate here—beyond just the surgeries.”

Addie narrowed her eyes. “You’re really not going to let me out of this?”

Josephine smiled, but it lacked her usual warmth. “No, I’m not.”

Addie let out a breath and dropped into the chair across from Josephine’s desk. She hated this. She hated that, despite everything, she admired Giselle. There was something about her that was hard to ignore. She was composed, talented, and devastatingly beautiful, with her dark hair perfectly tied back and her face smooth and sharp, as if she didn’t have a single care in the world.

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