Timothy curled his fingers, offering a bitter smile: “Got it.”
“Won’t happen again.”
He stood up, turning toward the door, “I’ll head out then. You’re busy, won’t keep you.”
Rita paused, realizing he’d misunderstood her words.
She opened her mouth to explain, but ultimately stayed silent.
Maybe this was for the best.
When she finished sterilizing tools and stepped out, the front desk nurse greeted her: “Dr. Johnson, something for you.”
Rita took the thermos and opened it, the aroma of steaming clam chowder wafting out.
The nurse teased with a smile: “Another loving dinner from your Timothy?”
“Dr. Johnson, you eat so well,” she hinted meaningfully, “makes me jealous.”
Rita clarified: “Linda, we’re just friends.”
“Really?” She squealed excitedly, “Then I’ll pursue him! I love American men- they’re so caring. And Timothy seems capable, such a driven yet considerate younger man. My type.”
Rita’s fingers stilled on the thermos lid. ” Nguyenit yourself.”
With that, she tightened the lid and carried the thermos back to her office.
After that day, she crossed paths with Timothy several times at the hospital. He came for bandage changes but delib- erately booked other doctors.
Whenever he visited, Linda fluttered around him like a social butterfly. Initially polite, he gradually initiated conver- sations himself.
Sometimes when leaving on time, Rita saw Timothy picking Linda up in his car. Spotting her, he’d still greet her like a gentleman but never clung to her anymore–just polite distance.
The stark contrast left Rita unsettled. She forced smiles until sinking into her car seat with a quiet sigh.
“Dr. Johnson?”
Rita snapped back, looking at her colleague Nathan in the driver’s seat.
Nathan smiled sheepishly, “Is it too sudden asking you to help pick my daughter’s gift?”
0.0%
01:04
Chapter 19
288 (Vouchers
“After the divorce, I haven’t seen her in ages. Tomorrow’s her birthday–her mom actually agreed to let me visit. No clue what girls like these days, so I thought you could advise.”
Rita nodded. “No problem.”
When they emerged with gifts, night had fallen. Nathan insisted on treating her to dinner as thanks.
Unable to refuse, Rita agreed but chose a modest diner to avoid obligation.
While making small talk, Nathan suddenly brought up Timothy.
“I always thought he was your boyfriend, until Linda mentioned you’re just friends. Actually…”
Nathan set down his glass, cars flushing. “My daughter’s birthday is real, but… I mainly asked you out to say some- thing.”
Rita looked up, meeting his flustered gaze.
Before she could respond, a loud clatter of chairs erupted from the next table.
69.4 %
