While Bernadette was engrossed in her reading, Dr. Alexander quietly slipped out of the lounge to check the hospital’s CCTV footage. His concern for Bernadette and the recent distress she had shown compelled him to understand what had happened.
In the surveillance footage, Dr. Alexander watched as Natasha entered the lounge and confronted Bernadette. He saw Natasha’s glamorous figure and heard her sharp words directed at Bernadette, accusing her of taking up Dr. Alexander’s time and causing trouble.
Dr. Alexander’s jaw tightened and his fists clenched as he listened to Natasha’s accusations. He could see the hurt in Bernadette’s eyes as she tried to defend herself, her discomfort palpable. The confrontation was clear—Natasha's harsh words had clearly been the source of Bernadette's distress.
Dr. Alexander’s expression hardened as he processed what had occurred. He felt a surge of anger and frustration towards Natasha for adding to Bernadette's already overwhelming situation.
Returning to the lounge, Dr. Alexander approached Bernadette with a more resolute demeanor. “Bern, I’ve seen the footage,” he said, his voice firm but compassionate. “I understand now why you were upset. Natasha’s behavior was unacceptable, and I’m truly sorry you had to go through that.”
Bernadette looked up, her eyes reflecting a mix of relief and continued sadness. “Thank you for understanding. I didn’t want to burden you with it.”
Dr. Alexander shook his head. “You’re never a burden. I’m here to support you, and I’ll address this situation with Natasha. Right now, let’s focus on your well-being.”
He sat down next to her, offering a comforting presence as they both navigated through the aftermath of the confrontation, determined to find some peace and clarity amidst the ongoing challenges.
Bernadette looked at Dr. Alexander, her voice steady despite her earlier distress. “It’s a normal reaction from a fiancée. I can understand why Natasha might be upset. It’s just surprising to see how intense things can get.”
Dr. Alexander nodded, his expression a mix of concern and determination. “I appreciate your understanding, but I want to be clear. Natasha’s claims about our relationship are not accurate. We don’t have a romantic relationship.”
Bernadette’s eyes softened. “Thank you for clarifying that. It’s been a lot to process, and I didn’t want any misunderstandings to complicate things further.”
Dr. Alexander reassured her with a gentle tone. “I’m committed to helping you through this difficult time. I’ll address this situation with Natasha to clear up any confusion. Right now, my focus is on making sure you’re okay.”
Bernadette nodded appreciatively, feeling a sense of relief. “I’m grateful for your support. It means a lot to me.”
Dr. Alexander gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re welcome. Let’s take things one step at a time. We’ll get through this together.”
Dr. Alexander looked at Bernadette with a warm, inviting smile. “How about we take a break? There’s a café on the first floor of the hospital. It might be nice to get out of this room for a bit and have a change of scenery.”
Bernadette glanced at him, appreciating the gesture. “That sounds like a good idea. I could use a break from all the stress.”
Dr. Alexander led the way to the café, and they made their way down to the first floor. The café was a cozy space, offering a calm atmosphere with soft lighting and comfortable seating. They found a quiet corner and settled into their seats.
As they looked over the menu, Dr. Alexander asked, “What would you like to have? They have a great selection of coffees and pastries here.”
Bernadette smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. “I think I’ll have a cappuccino and maybe one of those almond croissants.”
Dr. Alexander nodded and placed their order. “I’ll get the same. It’s my favorite combination here.”
They waited for their drinks and pastries to arrive, engaging in light conversation to help ease the tension from earlier. The café’s relaxed ambiance provided a much-needed respite from the earlier chaos.
When their order arrived, Dr. Alexander offered Bernadette a comforting smile. “Here’s to a little break from everything. I hope this helps you unwind.”
Bernadette took a sip of her cappuccino and let out a contented sigh. “This is just what I needed. Thank you for suggesting this.”
Dr. Alexander nodded, happy to see her more relaxed. “Anytime. We’ll get through this together, one step at a time.”
Dr. Alexander looked at Bernadette with a warm, inviting smile. “How about we take a break? There’s a café on the first floor of the hospital. It might be nice to get out of this room for a bit and have a change of scenery.”
Bernadette glanced at him, appreciating the gesture. “That sounds like a good idea. I could use a break from all the stress.”
Dr. Alexander led the way to the café, and they made their way down to the first floor. The café was a cozy space, offering a calm atmosphere with soft lighting and comfortable seating. They found a quiet corner and settled into their seats.
As they looked over the menu, Dr. Alexander asked, “What would you like to have? They have a great selection of coffees and pastries here.”
Bernadette smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. “I think I’ll have a cappuccino and maybe one of those almond croissants.”
Dr. Alexander nodded and placed their order. “I’ll get the same. It’s my favorite combination here.”
They waited for their drinks and pastries to arrive, engaging in light conversation to help ease the tension from earlier. The café’s relaxed ambiance provided a much-needed respite from the earlier chaos.
When their order arrived, Dr. Alexander offered Bernadette a comforting smile. “Here’s to a little break from everything. I hope this helps you unwind.”
Bernadette took a sip of her cappuccino and let out a contented sigh. “This is just what I needed. Thank you for suggesting this.”
Dr. Alexander nodded, happy to see her more relaxed. “Anytime. We’ll get through this together, one step at a time.”
As they enjoyed their drinks and pastries, Dr. Alexander and Bernadette fell into easy conversation, the stress of the morning slowly fading away.
Dr. Alexander took a sip of his cappuccino and grinned. “You know, I’ve always found it fascinating how everyone has their own coffee ritual. Some people are very particular about their order. Are you one of those people?”
Bernadette chuckled. “I guess you could say I am. I can’t start my day without my cappuccino. It’s like a little ritual to kickstart my mornings.”
Dr. Alexander laughed. “I’m the same way with my espresso. It’s my secret weapon to get through long shifts.”
Bernadette raised an eyebrow playfully. “A secret weapon, huh? I’d love to hear more about this. Do you have a special technique or is it just the sheer power of caffeine?”
Dr. Alexander leaned in with a mock-serious expression. “Ah, it’s a closely guarded secret. Let’s just say it involves a carefully timed shot and a precise blend. But if I told you more, I’d have to recruit you into the ‘caffeine enthusiasts’ club.”
Bernadette smiled, enjoying the lighthearted banter. “Sounds intriguing. Maybe I’ll join the club. But only if you promise to share your top-secret espresso blend.”
Dr. Alexander laughed. “Deal. But in exchange, you’ll have to share your almond croissant recipe. This one is delicious, and I’m convinced you have some secret ingredient.”
Bernadette pretended to ponder this. “Hmm, I’ll have to check my sources. It’s quite a mystery, but I might just reveal it in exchange for the espresso secrets.”
They both laughed, the conversation drifting to other light topics as they continued to enjoy their time at the café. The easy banter and shared laughter provided a welcome distraction from the earlier tension, helping them both relax and enjoy the moment.
YOU ARE READING
Embers of Betrayal
DiversosBernadette Lacuesta seemed to have it all-a beautiful home, a successful husband, and a life most would envy. With her graceful elegance and a timeless sense of style, she was the picture of a perfect wife, standing by the side of Maxim Cuevas, a co...
