Chapter Seven: Gloominess
The morning sun poured through the hospital windows as Sophie buzzed with excitement. Today was the day she would finally be discharged. She had spent the past few days buried in her studies and contemplating her future, but the thought of leaving the hospital made her feel free.
Dr. Grant entered the room, a smile on his face. "Good news, Sophie! You're officially ready for discharge. I think you're going to be just fine."
Sophie's eyes sparkled. "Really? That's amazing! I can't wait to get out of here!" But then, a thought struck her. "Wait… can I go see Ethan before I leave?"
Dr. Grant's smile faded slightly. "Sophie, I have some news about Ethan."
She perked up, a hopeful expression on her face. "What is it?"
Dr. Grant paused, his demeanor shifting to something more somber. "Ethan won't be in the hospital anymore. He's starting medical school tomorrow."
Sophie's heart sank. "Oh. But… I wanted to see him! Is he leaving already?"
"And it seems he has a girlfriend now," Dr. Grant added gently, hoping to cushion the blow.
Sophie's eyes widened in disbelief, and the air felt heavy around her. "A girlfriend? But… but he never mentioned anyone!" Her voice wavered, a mix of confusion and hurt washing over her.
Dr. Grant's expression turned gloomy. He had agreed to suggest keeping things platonic, but he knew Sophie's stubbornness well. She wasn't the type to easily let go of what she wanted.
Mrs. Cleene, who had been quietly observing, was taken aback. "Dr. Grant, are you sure about this?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Sophie felt a wave of emotions crashing down on her. "Can I… can I go to the restroom?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Of course," Dr. Grant said, though he felt a pang of guilt.
As Sophie hurried out of the room, she could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. She pushed through the restroom door, locking herself in a stall. Once she was alone, she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. "Why? Why now?" she cried, the weight of the news crushing her spirit.
Dr. Grant stood silently, unsure of how to navigate the situation. He had tried to do what was best, but he didn't anticipate the emotional fallout.
"Do you really need to go that length?" Mrs. Cleene said, her tone a mix of disbelief and disappointment.
Dr. Grant sighed, feeling the weight of her question. "I… just did what I was told to. I'm sorry. I didn't think it would hit her this hard."
Mrs. Cleene shook her head. "You know Sophie. She's not going to take this lightly. Telling her like this… you might have pushed her further away from what she truly wants."
Dr. Grant frowned, realizing that his attempt to protect Ethan and Sophie might have backfired. "What do you suggest I do? I thought keeping them apart would be the best thing."
"Maybe she needs to understand that her feelings are valid," Mrs. Cleene said thoughtfully. "You can't just take away the person she cares about without giving her a chance to express that. It might drive her to act out in ways you can't control."
As they stood there, the reality of the situation settled in. They both cared for Sophie and didn't want to see her hurt.
Back in the restroom, Sophie stood in the restroom, staring at herself in the mirror. "I thought we had something special," she whispered, her heart aching. But deep down, she knew she couldn't interfere in Ethan's life, especially if he had moved on.
If he has a girlfriend, she thought, I don't want to be that person who disrupts someone else's happiness. With a heavy heart, she resolved to let him go.
As she took a deep breath, she reminded herself that she had her own future to focus on. She wasn't the type to chase after someone who was already committed, no matter how stubborn she could be.
Ethan's Perspective
Meanwhile, Ethan was going about his day, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves about starting medical school. When he heard the news of Sophie's discharge, he immediately texted her. "Hey, Sophie! Did you get discharged already?"
But minutes turned into hours, and there was no reply. A sense of unease settled over him. Maybe she's busy packing up or resting, he thought, trying to shake off the worry.
Deciding to visit her room, Ethan made his way through the hospital corridors. When he arrived, he found her room empty, the bed neatly made and her belongings gone. Confusion washed over him.
"Looking for Sophie?" his father, Dr. Grant, asked from behind him.
Ethan turned, a frown on his face. "Yeah, I thought she'd still be here. I wanted to say goodbye."
Dr. Grant sighed, his expression serious. "Ethan, listen. I know you have feelings for her, but you need to focus on your studies. You're starting medical school next week, and you have to be prepared."
Ethan nodded, though frustration bubbled beneath the surface. "I get that, but it's not easy just to forget her. I thought we had a connection."
"She's famous, pretty, and rich, Ethan," Dr. Grant replied gently. "If you really want to pursue this, you'll have to work hard for it. Right now, your future is your priority."
Ethan felt a knot in his stomach. "So you're saying I should just let her go?"
"I'm saying you need to focus on your path. Relationships at this stage can be complicated, especially with someone like Sophie," his father cautioned. "If it's meant to be, it'll find a way. But right now, you have to put your energy into your studies."
Ethan swallowed hard, the weight of his father's words sinking in. "I understand," he replied, though his heart felt heavy.
As he left the hospital, he couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment. He had hoped to find Sophie and talk to her one last time, but now it seemed like that chance was slipping away. Maybe it's for the best, he thought, but deep down, he couldn't help but wonder what could have been.
Back to Sophie
Back in her own space, Sophie was determined to move forward. Even if it hurt, she wouldn't let herself dwell on what could have been. Instead, she focused on her studies and the responsibilities awaiting her outside the hospital walls.
Ethan has his own path, she reminded herself, and she wouldn't stand in the way of that. Despite her stubborn nature, she knew that love shouldn't come at the cost of someone else's happiness.
As the days passed, she pushed her feelings aside, throwing herself into her work, trying to navigate the complexities of her family legacy and her own ambitions. But in the quiet moments, when she thought of Ethan, a flicker of longing would remain—an unanswered "what if" that she couldn't quite shake.