ISAAC MORANO

**6**

Chapter Six- Guardian Angel

Catherine, exhausted but focused, continued her long shift at the hospital. After the events of the past few days, returning to the fast-paced environment of the general hospital felt like a strange but welcome routine. The chaotic energy of the emergency room buzzed around her, with patients arriving in waves, some needing immediate attention, others waiting patiently for their turn.

"Dr. Wynter, we're ready in room three," a nurse called as Catherine finished charting another patient. Without missing a beat, she gathered her stethoscope, checked her clipboard, and moved toward the exam room.

The door to room three opened, and inside was a man clutching his chest in pain. Catherine quickly assessed the situation, guiding the nurses to administer treatment while she checked his vitals. Her hands worked steadily, her mind calculating the next steps.

The familiar beeping of machines, the hum of overhead lights, and the murmur of voices all blended into a steady rhythm. Despite her fatigue, Catherine was always alert, instinctively tuning in to the needs of her patients. It was the one constant in her life—the place where she found purpose.

After stabilizing the patient, Catherine took a brief moment to catch her breath. She leaned against the counter, sipping from a water bottle. Her mind briefly wandered to Isaac. She wondered how he was doing, now that he was back in his world, free of the false charges that had plagued him. But there wasn't much time to dwell on it—there was always another patient, another emergency.

"Dr. Wynter, trauma incoming," another nurse informed her. Catherine nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow, and headed to the trauma bay.

Hours blurred together, but Catherine remained unwavering in her commitment. Each patient, each situation reminded her why she became a doctor in the first place. Even after the most grueling shifts, she found a sense of purpose here. But something about Isaac had stirred something different in her—a reminder of the risks she'd taken and the unknown territory she had ventured into.

By the time her shift ended, the exhaustion hit her all at once. She changed out of her scrubs, grabbing her bag and checking her phone before heading out of the hospital. The adrenaline that kept her going for twelve hours faded, leaving only tired limbs and a cluttered mind.

As she walked to her car, Catherine realized that despite everything—her demanding job, the responsibilities she carried—there was something about the last few days with Isaac that she couldn't quite shake. It was as if their encounter had shifted something within her. But for now, there were more shifts, more patients, and more lives to care for.

One day at a time.

Meanwhile, Isaac sat in his study, brooding over the last few days. The warmth and quiet of his estate contrasted sharply with the danger and chaos he had just escaped. He poured himself a drink, swirling the amber liquid in the glass as he thought about Catherine and her unexpected kindness. It still amazed him how she had stepped into his life and changed everything with her calm, decisive actions.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door.

"Enter," Isaac commanded, his voice cool and authoritative.

The door opened, and one of his bodyguards stepped inside, removing his cap and nodding respectfully. "Sir, I have an update."

Isaac leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes studying the man. "Go on."

The bodyguard cleared his throat. "We've been monitoring Dr. Catherine Wynter, as you requested. She's continuing her shifts at the hospital, no unusual activity reported on her end. However, we did notice increased law enforcement presence in the area—standard procedure after your... incident. But so far, it appears she's kept her involvement quiet."