**Autumn of Forgiveness**
“Dr. Natalie Wilkinson, why are you doing this?! Let Jackson handle her!” Nurse Alice’s voice trembled with concern as she hurried after the head of the surgical department, one of the finest in the hospital.
“Alice, prep the OR. We need blood for transfusion—and get Eugene on the line. I want him assisting,” Natalie replied without slowing her stride.
In the emergency bay lay a woman—early thirties, dressed in black, one boot missing—unconscious.
“Hit at a zebra crossing. Driver was drunk,” the paramedic reported quickly. “Blood pressure’s dropping, suspected internal bleeding.”
“To the OR—now!” Natalie ordered, and two orderlies lifted the stretcher at once.
“Natalie! Nat!” a voice called from behind. She knew it instantly. Simon. Her ex-husband. The one who’d left her for this woman.
“Is it true?” He gripped her shoulders. “Is it Olivia? Did they hit Olivia?”
“Simon, we’re doing everything we can. Now—excuse me, I have work to do.”
“You?! You’re going to operate on her? No! I won’t allow it! You want to kill her?!” His voice trembled more with fear than anger. Natalie signalled Alice to administer a sedative.
When she stepped into the OR, the murmurs ceased instantly. She felt their gazes. Felt their judgement. But she didn’t flinch.
“Yes, it’s her. Yes, I’m operating. Because I’m a surgeon—one of the best in this city. If anyone thinks I can’t handle it, speak now. Otherwise, we save her life. Understood?”
The surgery lasted three hours. Twice, the patient’s vitals dipped below critical. But Natalie fought—and won. Olivia would live.
“Two days in ICU, then good as new,” she typed to Simon, who sat slumped outside.
“Natalie… I’m sorry. I’m a fool. I’ll be grateful to you for the rest of my life!” He clutched her hands, weeping, sinking to his knees.
“Simon… enough. It’s in the past. Go home. You can’t see her yet—I’ll update you.”
Natalie brewed cheap coffee, sank into the worn-out sofa in the break room with a pastry, and realised she was starving. She’d barely closed her eyes when Alice walked in.
“You’re a hero! I’m in awe! But why? Why save that snake? She ruined your life!”
“Alice, I’m a doctor. She bled on my table. As for the rest… Simon and I wrecked things ourselves. I’m not even sure I ever truly loved him.”
“You’re just… extraordinary,” Alice whispered, hugging her tightly.
Days later, Olivia was discharged. Simon arrived with two bouquets—deep red roses and wildflowers.
“These are for you, Nat. I haven’t forgotten—”
“You shouldn’t have.” But she took them anyway.
“Natalie… Forgive me. Thank you… for saving me.” Olivia could barely meet the eyes of the woman she’d betrayed.
“It’s all in the past,” Natalie said softly. Mostly to herself.
Her shift ended. Home felt too empty, too quiet. She wandered the old city centre instead, playing her favourite game: guessing professions. Winner treats herself to coffee.
A man sat on a bench—trench coat, expensive watch, briefcase. Lawyer? Definitely.
“Excuse me…” She hadn’t realised she’d approached. “You wouldn’t… happen to be a solicitor?”
“Spot on,” he grinned. “And you, I’d wager, are a doctor?”
“How on earth—” She laughed, stunned.
“Surgeon, in fact. And your name is… Natalie?”
“Wait, how…? Are you psychic?”
“No—just literate. Your ID badge,” he chuckled. “Alexander, by the way.”
“Well then, you owe me not just coffee, but a croissant!” She laughed back.
For the first time in years, Natalie laughed properly—as if her heart remembered joy. Outside, autumn raged. Inside her, spring had begun.
