The morning air in Baltimore was crisp as Emily made her way to Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The weight of the previous night’s conversation with Liam lingered, softening the edges of her usual animosity toward him.
It was unsettling.
For years, they’d been adversaries, yet now she couldn’t stop thinking about the vulnerability he’d shown.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Sophia: “Pre-rounds meeting at 7:30. Don’t be late!”
Emily sighed, quickening her pace.
Today would be a full day of rounds, shadowing, and case studies. Plenty of distractions to push thoughts of Liam to the back of her mind—or so she hoped.
---
The pre-med group gathered outside the cardiothoracic unit, chatting in low murmurs.
Dr. Patel arrived promptly, clipboard in hand, her sharp eyes scanning the group.
“Today, we’re following up on postoperative patients,” she announced. “Emily, Liam, you’re responsible for presenting Mr. Guerrero’s case. Everyone else, I want detailed notes on the other patients.”
Emily shot Liam a glance, her stomach tightening.
Of course, they’d been paired again.
As they entered Mr. Guerrero’s room, Emily was struck by how frail he looked compared to the day before. Tubes and monitors surrounded him, but his eyes were alert as he greeted them.
“Good morning, Mr. Guerrero,” Liam said, his voice warm and professional. “How are you feeling today?”
“A little sore,” the man replied. “But the nurses said I’m doing well.”
Emily smiled, stepping forward. “That’s right. Your vitals are improving, and your surgical site looks good. Any chest pain or shortness of breath?”
“No, just tired.”
As they wrapped up the assessment, Liam leaned closer, his tone gentle. “You’re doing great. Rest is the best thing for you right now.”
Emily couldn’t help but notice how genuine he sounded. It was a side of Liam she wasn’t used to seeing, and it stirred something unexpected within her.
---
Later, as the group gathered in the hospital cafeteria, Emily found herself sitting across from Liam.
Sophia and a few others filled the table, the conversation lively and animated.
“So, Emily,” Sophia said, nudging her, “how does it feel about being stuck with Liam all the time? I bet it’s exhausting.”
Emily smirked. “It has its moments.”
Liam raised an eyebrow. “I could say the same about you.”
Sophia laughed, oblivious to the undercurrent between them. “You two are like an old married couple.”
Emily nearly choked on her water. “Hardly.”
Liam leaned back in his chair, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “She’s right. We argue too much to make that work.”
Despite herself, Emily felt a flush creeping up her neck.
---
That evening, Emily found herself in the hospital library, pouring over notes for an upcoming case study.
The soft hum of fluorescent lights and the faint smell of old books created a cocoon of focus.
She was so absorbed in her work that she didn’t notice Liam until he slid into the seat across from her.
“Don’t you ever take a break?” he asked, setting his stack of books on the table.
Emily looked up, startled. “What are you doing here?”
“Same as you,” he said, gesturing to his notes. “Trying to stay ahead.”
They worked in silence for a while; the only sounds were the rustle of pages and the scratch of pens. But the quiet wasn’t uncomfortable—it felt strangely companionable.
Eventually, Liam broke the silence. “You know, you’re not as insufferable as I thought.”
Emily raised an eyebrow. “Thanks...I think?”
“I mean it,” he said, his tone was serious. “You’re smart, determined, and you care about the patients. It’s...admirable.”
Emily blinked, unsure how to respond. Compliments from Liam were rare, and this one felt genuine.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” she admitted reluctantly.
He smiled a soft, almost boyish expression that caught her off guard. “Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain.”
---
Their tentative truce was interrupted by the shrill beep of Emily’s pager.
She glanced at the message and shot to her feet. “It’s a Code Blue in the cardiothoracic unit.”
Liam was already on his feet, grabbing his things. “Let’s go.”
They sprinted down the hall, adrenaline pumping. By the time they arrived, the scene was chaotic. Nurses and doctors crowded around a patient’s bed, the monitor blaring ominously.
“It’s Mr. Guerrero,” a nurse said. “He went into V-fib.”
Emily’s stomach dropped as she watched the team work frantically to stabilize him.
Dr. Patel barked orders, her calm authority anchoring the room.
“Charge to 200!”
The defibrillator paddles sent a jolt through Mr. Guerrero’s body, but the monitor remained flat.
“Charge to 300!”
Emily held her breath as the paddles delivered another shock. This time, the monitor showed a faint, irregular rhythm. A collective sigh of relief rippled through the room.
Dr. Patel turned to the group of pre-meds, her expression stern. “This is why we do what we do. Every second counts.”
Emily felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Liam. His usual smugness was gone, replaced by a quiet intensity. “You okay?” he asked.
She nodded, though her heart was still racing. “Yeah. Just...shaken.”
---
As they left the unit, the weight of the day pressed down on Emily.
She glanced at Liam, who seemed equally subdued.
“Do you ever wonder if we’re ready for this?” she asked softly.
He considered her question for a moment. “All the time. But that’s why we’re here—to learn, to grow. And, hopefully, to make a difference.”
His words struck a chord, and for the first time, Emily felt a sense of camaraderie with him. They might be rivals, but they were also in this together.
As they walked side by side through the quiet hospital halls, Emily realized that her feelings toward Liam were shifting in ways she couldn’t quite explain.
YOU ARE READING
Incision of the Heart
RomanceIn the cutthroat world of Harvard premed, two academic rivals are forced to work side by side at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where their fiery rivalry morphs into a dangerous, undeniable passion until doubts threaten to unravel everything they've built...
