Chapter 5 Unexpected Encounter

The nurse turned toward Suzanne, noticing the abrupt shift in her demeanor. "Is everything alright, Mrs. Langford?" she asked, her voice soft. Suzanne blinked, startled, realizing she had been holding her breath. Now that it was back, it came in uneven, shallow gasps. "Dr. Carter..." she repeated, her voice trembling slightly as she fought to keep her composure. "He’s the one treating me?" The nurse nodded, oblivious to the turmoil brewing in Suzanne's chest. "Yes, that's right. He’s one of our top specialists. He should be here shortly." She smiled, too cheery for the moment, then added, "If you need anything in the meantime, just let me know." But Suzanne barely registered her words. Her mind was racing, spiraling through memories of a time long past. Liam's warm brown eyes. His infectious laugh. How he always seemed to know what she needed before she even said it. She had buried those memories, locked them away in a box she never wanted to open again. But now, with the mention of his name, they came rushing back. Breaking free in a flood that almost drowned her. Liam had been everything she thought she wanted. Ambitious. Driven. Always thinking of their future together. They had been inseparable. When he left for medical school, they promised they’d make it work, no matter the distance. But then... he stopped calling. Stopped replying to her messages. And just like that, he was gone. Gone without a word. Without an explanation. No closure. No goodbye. The sound of the door opening snapped her back to the present. Suzanne’s heart pounded as the figure stepped inside. Then she saw him. Liam Carter. He stood in the doorway, tall and confident in a white coat. His brown eyes scanned the room before they landed on her. The silence stretched between them like a chasm. Deep. Impossible to cross. Suzanne didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just stared at him, her fingers tightening around the crisp white sheet draped over her lap. Her heart pounded violently in her chest. But she refused to let him see it. Refused to let Liam Carter, of all people, know that his presence affected her. Yet, there he was. Standing in the doorway. His white coat crisp. His stethoscope hanging loosely around his neck. His dark brown eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver through her. He looked older. Sharper. No longer the boy who used to whisper dreams into her ear under the stars. No, this was a man now. A man who had abandoned her. The nurse, oblivious to the tension crackling in the air, gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "Dr. Carter, the patient—" "Mrs. Langford," Liam corrected, his voice unreadable. Suzanne swallowed. She hated the way her husband's last name—his last name—sounded coming from Liam’s mouth. The nurse continued, unfazed. "Mrs. Langford has been stabilized. Her vitals are steady, though she was mildly dehydrated when she was admitted. I’ve adjusted her IV drip accordingly." "She has no signs of internal injuries, but Dr. Carter, you may want to check—" Liam listened, nodding, asking a few follow-up questions. His voice was calm. Professional. But he never once broke eye contact with Suzanne. She hated it. Hated that he was here. Hated that her first instinct wasn’t anger, but something dangerously close to relief. The nurse jotted something down on her clipboard before glancing between them. If she noticed the tension suffocating the room, she didn’t mention it. "I’ll check on the other patients," she said, bowing slightly before exiting the room. The door clicked shut. And just like that, they were alone. Liam exhaled, his jaw tightening as if preparing himself for battle. "Suzanne, how are you doing?" A cold, humorless chuckle escaped her lips. "I should be asking you that," she shot back before her voice dipped into biting sarcasm. "If I were fine, Liam, do you really think I’d be lying in a hospital bed?" Liam didn’t react the way she expected. Instead of flinching or looking away, he just… smiled. Not a smirk. Not a smarmy grin. Just a quiet, knowing smile. Because this? This was her. The fire. The sharp tongue. The girl who never let anyone see her crack. And no matter how much time had passed, no matter what had happened between them, she was still the same Suzanne in some ways. His Suzanne. Except she wasn’t his anymore. "Fair point," he said smoothly, grabbing her chart and scanning the notes. "But you’re doing fine. Better than fine, actually." She arched an eyebrow. "Better than fine? That’s an interesting way to describe being stuck in this bed, stripped of all dignity, while people whisper about my ‘tragic’ life outside these walls." Liam’s lips twitched as he flipped the chart shut. "I actually have good news." For the first time since he entered, something flickered in her eyes. Hope? No. She had long since learned not to hope for anything. Still, she looked up. "What is it?" Liam hesitated—just for a second—before tilting his head. "You’re married?" The words hit like a slap. Her entire body stiffened, her fingers curling into fists beneath the blanket. "What does that have to do with anything?" Liam didn’t back down. "Because the good news I have is something both you and your partner should hear." Suzanne rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck. "Well, good luck getting him to care," she muttered. Silence settled over them again. Thick. Suffocating. Then, just when she thought the conversation had reached its merciful end, Liam spoke. "I missed you." Suzanne’s breath caught. Her heart clenched. For a split second, she let herself feel it. The longing. The what-ifs. The pain of everything that had been stolen from them. But only for a second. Then she scoffed. "Let’s just be professional, Dr. Liam Carter." Liam opened his mouth, but no words came out. What could he even say? That he was sorry? That he had wanted to come back for her but didn’t have a choice? That no matter how much time had passed, no matter how many times he told himself to move on, she was still the only thing he had ever truly wanted? How did he even begin to explain? Finally, he settled for the only truth that mattered. "I’m sorry," he whispered, his voice raw. "I’m sorry for not coming back like I promised." Something in Suzanne snapped. Her head jerked up, her eyes flashing with something dangerous. Something furious. "I said let’s be professional, Liam." His name on her lips sent a pang of something sharp through his chest. He wanted to say more. To tell her everything. But before he could, the door swung open. Suzanne’s blood ran cold. Standing in the doorway was Beatrice Langford. Her mother-in-law. Her sharp eyes scanned the room like she was already searching for a weakness to exploit. Behind her, Charles. And next to him— Sarah. Suzanne’s stomach twisted violently. Liam’s gaze darkened as he took them in. His expression unreadable.