Charlotte "Charlie" Shepherd is Derek Shepherd's youngest and favourite sister. After deciding to join him in moving to Seattle, in order to leave her past life behind, she starts her internship at Seattle Grace Hospital, where it eventually catches...
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A few weeks ago my life looked very different to how it does now. I was living in a beautiful little apartment in New York, studying medicine at Columbia - just like my brother, Derek, did a few years back. Today, Derek is one of the most renowned neurosurgeons in the country, maybe even in the world. Ever since her started making good money, he insisted on covering part of my apartment rent, so I could move out of our mom's house. And I couldn't be more grateful for that.
For the past few years, everything felt perfect. Maybe even a little too perfect, considering my past. Looking back, it almost feels like it was a sign - like things were bound to go downhill sooner or later.
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Then, two weeks ago, at my graduation party with friends from med school, Derek called. He said he was coming over to stay at my place for a few nights, though he didn't say why. I didn't think much of it and stayed at the party, knowing he had a key to my apartment. After all, I wanted to savour one of my last carefree nights before my internship and real life began.
When I finally got home, I found Derek asleep on my couch, looking completely worn out. I didn't have the heart to wake him so I went straight to bed, changed into pajamas and tried not to think too hard about why he'd suddenly shown up unannounced.
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The next morning, I woke up hungover and starving, so I went to the kitchen to make myself some breakfast. When I entered, my heart stopped for a second - I'd completely forgotten that Derek had stayed over. So there he was, already preparing breakfast for both of us.
When he noticed me, he turned around. "Good morning. Hungry?", he asked. He looked - off. His eyes were red and puffy, almost, like he'd been crying all night.
I just nodded and sat down at the table. He joined me and we started eating breakfast. As I studied his face, he asked me how the party went.
"It was pretty good. Lots of fun - and alcohol.", I said, nodding and taking a sip of coffee, noticing that even his smile seemed different.
After a few moments of brief silence, I decided to break it. "So - do you mind telling me why you're staying over? Not that I don't want you here, but it was kind of sudden. And, honestly, you look like you've been hit by a truck."
Derek looked down at his empty plate. He hesitated, but then started talking. "After I finished my shift last night, I went home - like I usually do. Addison's shift had ended a few hours earlier, so I expected her to be in the living room, waiting for me. But when I got there, she wasn't around. I figured she'd already gone to bed since it was so late."
Derek paused, his voice breaking slightly and I noticed a tear running down his face. I gripped my coffee, my heart pounding as I worried about what he might say next.
"I opened the door - and there she was.", he whispered. "In bed. With Mark."
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. "What do you mean in bed? Were they -", I stammered, already dreading the answer.
