Chapter 3
Ten minutes later, I was at the hospital.
My friend’s brother looked pretty bad.
I asked the nurse why none of the cardiology specialists were around.
The nurse muttered that River had called them all to the OR.
Serena was doing her first lead surgery, and he wanted to make sure nothing went wrong.
I knew Serena didn’t have that kind of authority–so, this was River’s doing.
After all, his family basically owned this entire hospital.
I tried calling River over and over.
But his phone was off.
I ran to the OR and waited outside.
After what felt like forever, the surgery light finally went out.
River came out carrying Serena in his arms.
He glanced at me. “What’re you doing here?”
I grabbed his arm. “My friend’s brother is really sick…”
Before I could finish, River shook me off and kept walking.
I jogged after him to his office.
In there, he gently placed Serena on the couch in his break room.
Then he sat at his computer, staring intently at the screen.
I rushed over. “Dr. Kingsley, my friend’s brother is having a heart attack. It’s an emergency–could you please take a look?”
He looked up. “Why are you still here? Isn’t my mom waiting to help you try on dresses?”
“Could you please just go check on him?”
River sighed softly. “Serena just finished surgery. I’m worried she might have nightmares.”
My heart ached, but I kept pushing. “Could you at least get another doctor?”
“Can’t do it. They need to monitor their patients. I won’t allow any mistakes.”
“River, don’t you have any professional ethics? I told you there’s a patient out there who’s seriously ill! As a doctor, shouldn’t you at least take a look?!”
He seemed surprised I’d raised my voice at him.
Frowning, he said coldly, “Willa, I’ve told you a million times. In this line of work, the worst thing you can do is get emotionally involved. No matter how sick a patient is, they have to follow hospital protocol. When it’s my turn, I’ll be there on time.”
My voice softened. “Harper is my best friend. Please, I’m begging you!”
He laughed bitterly. “Didn’t you just say yesterday you’d never beg me again?”
“This is the last time.” Tears were pouring down my face.
River seemed to soften a bit.
But suddenly Serena’s voice drifted from the break room: “River, are you there? I’m scared.”
River immediately stood up and said coldly. “If it can’t wait, transfer him to another hospital.”
