Alex walked straight from Mr. Ellis’s office to the clinic lab for the screening he had promised Naosa.
“The results should be ready in two to three weeks,” the staff told him politely.
“Please process them as soon as possible,” Alex said. “I just want to put her mind at ease.”
He left the room with his usual purposeful stride, his coat flaring slightly behind him.
As the door closed, the clinic staff exchanged glances.
“Two to three weeks is already the fastest we can manage,” someone murmured.
“He’s brilliant,” another whispered, “but sometimes I think he operates on a different plane.”
As Alex walked down the corridor, a thought surfaced unbidden:
I haven’t touched anyone else since the first time I dreamed of her.
He hadn’t decided that consciously. He simply hadn’t wanted to.
The realization struck him with quiet, undeniable clarity.
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That afternoon, they reunited.
“Hello, my beautiful,” Alex said, his voice light and warm.
“Good afternoon, Dr. O’Neill,” Naosa replied shyly, their eyes meeting and holding.
Even the simplest greetings between them felt like stolen moments of joy.
From the side, Sally sighed dramatically. “They look like high schoolers who just started dating.”
“Exactly,” Miguel said with a smirk, drawing laughter around the lab.
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Several peaceful days passed. Then the new intern term began.
The office suddenly felt… emptier.
Naosa had been reassigned to Deb’s team. Alex hadn’t said much about it. Neither had she.
That Monday, when Naosa stepped into the office, Deb glanced up.
“Oh—weren’t you scheduled for the pediatric ward this morning?”
“I haven’t received official permission yet,” Naosa replied politely.
Deb’s brow furrowed. “I don’t usually make exceptions,” she said. Then, after a short pause:
“We’ll go together after the morning meeting. I want to see for myself if it’s worthwhile.”
She turned to Amanda. “You should come too.”
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After their team check-in, Deb kept her word.
She and Naosa headed toward the pediatric ward, Amanda trailing a step behind.
Deb hadn’t explained why she’d asked Amanda to come—perhaps hoping the girl might feel something, anything.
Amanda stayed quiet, arms crossed, watching from the sidelines.
Inside, Naosa greeted each nurse by name, asking after the children with gentle familiarity.
Then she stepped into the playroom.
The moment the children saw her, they rushed over, voices bubbling with delight.
Maggie was already seated at the piano.
“Alright,” Naosa said, clapping her hands softly. “Let’s all sing together.”
The room quieted at once.
“Dr. Nao, play the song from that movie!” someone shouted.
“Got it!” she replied brightly, settling beside Maggie with an easy smile.
She let her fingers fall onto the keys, and the melody began to flow.
At the first few notes, the children gasped in delight—as glowing musical notes seemed to rise from the piano, swirling through the air like tiny dancers. When the familiar chorus began, beloved animated characters appeared, twirling alongside the floating notes.
The children clapped, swayed, and sang, their faces alight with pure wonder as they watched the magical scene only they could see.
From the corner, Deb and Amanda couldn’t see what the children saw—but they felt it.
The joy in the room was overwhelming.
Deb blinked back an unexpected tear and quickly wiped her face before anyone noticed.
Amanda said nothing, but something within her stirred—something she didn’t yet have a name for.
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When the song ended, Maggie turned to Naosa.
“I’ll practice now,” she said earnestly.
“Shall we warm up first?” Naosa asked.
They started with an old pop tune—Maggie’s mother’s favorite.
Then came Maggie’s current obsession, a song by her favorite idol. She sang it twice, then again, her face glowing with uncontainable joy.
Afterward, Naosa gently patted her head.
“Alright, let’s wrap up for today.”
Deb stepped forward.
“Maggie,” she said kindly, “Dr. Nao might be a little busier from now on. What should we do about that?”
Maggie’s smile faltered.
“But I’ll be in real trouble if Dr. Nao can’t come! I’m supposed to sing at the Halloween event—in front of my favorite singer! I can’t mess up.”
Her eyes were wide and frightened.
“I need her. Will she still be able to help me?”
The Halloween Gala at Saint Clarion was held once every few years—an elegant fundraiser for donors.
This year, Maggie’s favorite singer, a longtime supporter of the pediatric ward, would be attending in person.
She had dreamed of singing for him for so long.
Her body was growing weaker, but her spirit burned bright. Hope still filled her eyes.
Deb knelt beside her.
“Don’t worry,” she said gently. “Dr. Nao will still visit—just like always. And I’m looking forward to your performance too. Give it your all, alright?”
Maggie nodded solemnly.
As they walked back to the lab, Naosa glanced at Deb.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “For letting me keep this promise.”
Deb nodded.
“Just make sure it doesn’t interfere with your work here.”
Her tone was firm—but her eyes were warm.
And she didn’t regret bending her rules, not even a little.
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