The first week of December had arrived, Zurich's streets already sparkling with lights and decorations in anticipation of Christmas. The festive season carried a certain warmth despite the frosty air, but for Leona, it was another reminder of time slipping through her fingers.
After her morning walk and unexpected conversation with Tristan, she returned home, trying to make sense of her feelings. He'd asked her out-something simple, a chance to meet again. She'd hesitated, unsure if getting close to him was wise. Yet, before leaving, she had given him her number. She liked him-his humor, his kindness, and the way his blue eyes softened when he looked at her.
But those feelings clashed with the reality of her condition. Every time she let herself imagine a future, her diagnosis snapped her back to the truth. She was running out of time, and it wasn't fair to bring someone else into the chaos of her life.
**********
Tristan was midway through his morning run when his pager buzzed, interrupting his steady pace. He slowed, breathing heavily, and reached for the device clipped to his waistband. The words "Critical Case: OR Needed Immediately" flashed across the small screen.
He cursed under his breath, abandoning his route and jogging back toward his apartment. By the time he arrived at the hospital, the details were grim-a young man in his twenties had been in a severe cycling accident. The internal damage was extensive, with multiple ruptures and organ failure. The team had already prepped for surgery, waiting for Tristan to take charge.
The operating room was a controlled storm of movement. Nurses handed over tools, the anesthesiologist monitored the patient's vitals, and Tristan issued instructions with calm precision. Every move was deliberate, every decision critical. He'd done this hundreds of times, pulling patients back from the brink with skill and focus.
But something about this case was different. The damage was worse than they'd expected. For hours, he fought to stabilize the young man, sweat dripping from his brow as his team worked tirelessly alongside him. The heart monitor's rhythm became erratic, and despite their best efforts, the line eventually flattened.
He froze, the silence deafening except for the faint hum of the machines. He stared at the lifeless body on the table, the weight of failure pressing down on him like a tidal wave.
"Time of death," one of the nurses said softly, glancing at the clock.
His voice caught in his throat. He stepped back, stripping off his gloves and gown with trembling hands. The team cleaned up around him, their movements subdued.
He exited the OR, his head hanging low as he walked toward the surgical board to update the records. The sight of Jared chatting with a colleague barely registered.
"You okay, mate?" Jared asked, concern crossing his features as he noticed Tristan's pale expression.
"Not really," Tristan admitted, his voice quieter than usual. He quickly jotted down the details of the case before walking away, needing the solitude of his office to process what had just happened.
******
Tristan slumped in his chair, staring at the ceiling of his office. His mind replayed every moment of the surgery, questioning if there was something he could have done differently. It wasn't the first patient he'd lost, but it never got easier.
A soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Before he could respond, the door creaked open, and Katherine from pediatrics peeked inside.
"Hey," she said softly, stepping in and closing the door behind her. "I heard about the case. Tough one, huh?"
He gave her a tired nod, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Yeah, it was. He was so young. I hate losing them."
She walked closer, her tone gentle, but her gaze lingering a little too long. "You can't save them all, Tristan. You know that."
"Doesn't make it any easier," he muttered, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his desk.
Katherine perched on the edge of his desk, crossing her legs. "You're one of the best surgeons here. Everyone knows that. Losing one patient doesn't change that."
He glanced up at her, offering a weak smile. "Thanks, Katherine. I appreciate it."
She reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "You need to stop being so hard on yourself. Maybe... let someone take care of you for a change?"
Her tone was laced with suggestion, and Tristan immediately picked up on it. He straightened in his chair, subtly pulling his arm away. "I'll be fine. Just need some time to clear my head."
Katherine hesitated, then nodded, her smile faltering slightly. "Well, if you ever want to talk-or anything else-you know where to find me."
She stood and left the office, leaving Tristan alone once more. He sighed, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes. The day had been heavier than most, and the thought of going home to an empty apartment felt unbearable.
Without thinking too much about it, Tristan grabbed his phone and scrolled through his recent contacts. His thumb hovered over Leona's name. He wasn't sure why, but something about her presence had stayed with him since their encounter. She was warm, intelligent, and refreshingly honest.
He pressed the call button, holding the phone to his ear as it rang. For a moment, he feared she wouldn't pick up. But then her voice came through, soft and slightly hesitant.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Leona," he said, his voice lighter than it had been all day. "It's Tristan. I hope I'm not calling too late."
She hesitated before answering. "No, it's fine. I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon, though."
He chuckled, the sound almost surprising himself. "Yeah, well, I had a rough day. Thought maybe talking to you would help."
Leona was silent for a moment, then replied, "Rough day, huh? Want to talk about it?"
"Not really," he admitted. "But maybe we could meet up sometime? If you're up for it."
Her heart skipped a beat at the suggestion, but she quickly reminded herself of her situation. "I don't know, Tristan. Things are... complicated for me right now."
"I get that," he said, his tone sincere. "No pressure. Just thought I'd ask. You can let me know when you're ready."
She smiled despite herself, his kindness catching her off guard. "Okay. I'll think about it."
"Good," he said softly. "Take care, Leona."
"You too," she replied, ending the call.
As she set her phone down, she couldn't help but feel a small spark of something she hadn't felt in a long time-hope.
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