Chapter 34
Amelia POV
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The room was filled with people, nervously waiting. A dozen nurses and community health workers sat waiting to be screened for the outreach program. I straightened the file in my hands, glanced across the table at Edmund, and cleared my throat.
“Alright, thank you all for coming,” I began, offering a small smile. “We’re here today to screen those who are interested in being part of the upcoming medical outreach. This isn’t an exam,” I added quickly when I saw the worried faces, “just a simple check to make sure everyone we take on board can handle the tasks ahead.”
Beside me, Edmund leaned forward. “And to remind you all,” he said, his voice carrying its usual authority, “this is more than just a job. We want people who are committed. You’ll be representing not just the hospital, but my company as well.”
I shot him a sideways glance. He was frowning. As expected, that was how his expression was whenever he was in his ‘business mode
“Let’s please,” I said, flipping open the first application. “Nurse Angela Branden?”
A slim woman stood nervously, smoothing her scrubs. I motioned for her to sit across from us.
“So, Nurse Angela,” I started, “can you tell us why you want to be part of this outreach?”
“Yes, doctor,” she said softly. “I… I’ve always believed healthcare shouldn’t stop at the hospital doors. I grew up in a rural community myself, and I know what it feels like not to have access. If I can be part of changing that, even for a few families, I’ll be grateful.”
I smiled. “That’s a good answer. What about long hours? This project will demand that.”
“I can manage, doctor. I’ve handled emergencies before. I know how to keep my head clear under pressure.”
Edmund leaned in, studying her face for a moment. “Do you have any experience leading a team?”
Angela blinked. “Not directly, sir. But I’ve supervised interns during their rotations.”
He nodded. “Good. That’s enough for now.”
She thanked us and stepped out.
We continued like that for the next hour, nurses, lab assistants, and community health workers filing in one after another. Some were confident, others trembling. I asked the medical questions, Edmund asked the sharp, sometimes intimidating ones. It felt almost like we were playing roles, me, the compassionate doctor, him, the exacting boss.
Finally, we got through the last candidate. I leaned back in my chair and exhaled. “Well… that’s everyone.”
Edmund set his pen down. “So? What do you think?”
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I flipped through the notes we had scribbled. “Angela, for sure. And also Michael, the community health worker, knew exactly how to explain his experience with immunization campaigns.”
Edmund nodded. “Agreed. And I liked that older nurse… What was her name? Clara?”
“Yes,” I said, scanning. “She’s got nearly twenty years‘ experience. She’ll be good at supervising.”
We went back and forth, crossing out names, circling others. At last, we had a list of eight.
“That should be enough,” I said, closing the file.
Edmund stood. “Then let’s meet them.”
The chosen eight shuffled back into the room, looking tense. Edmund remained standing, his presence immediately commanding silence. As usual.
“First,” he began, “thank you. Out of everyone, you stood out. That means something.” He glanced briefly at me before continuing. “Here’s what you need to know. This outreach is about providing basic care, screenings, immunizations, minor treatments. You’ll each be given assignments. You’ll also be compensated fairly.”
A murmur of relief swept the group.
“Your pay will be a flat rate,” Edmund continued, “with bonuses if the work extends beyond the planned schedule. Contracts will be ready in a few days. Amelia–Dr. Prescott here, will be your direct lead. Anything medical, you go through her. Anything else, through James, the administrator.”
I gave them a reassuring nod. “We’ll make sure you’re trained and prepared. Don’t worry, we’re in this together.”
They smiled, some whispering to one another.
“We’ll be in touch,” Edmund concluded. “Thank you.”
We dismissed them, and the room finally quieted. I gathered my papers, tucking them neatly into my folder. Edmund slipped his hands into his pockets, watching me.
“You handled that well,” he said softly.
I raised an eyebrow. “I did most of the talking, if you noticed.”
He chuckled. “Exactly. That’s what I mean. You made them feel safe. That’s not something I can do.”
I ignored the warmth his words stirred in me and pushed back my chair. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.”
We strolled down the hallway together, my notebook in hand.
“I’ve already started budgeting for the supplies,” I told him. “Syringes, rapid test kits, basic antibiotics, wound dressings–just the essentials for now.”
Edmund glanced at me, his brow furrowed slightly. “And the quantities? Do you have an estimate yet?”
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“I’ve drafted one,” I said, flipping a page and pointing at the numbers. “I calculated for a three–day outreach. Enough to cover at least two hundred patients, maybe more if we stretch.”
He hummed thoughtfully, his stride never slowing. “Two hundred. That’s a good start. But Arnelia, what if turnout doubles? You know how word spreads in these communities. Do we have room in the budget to scale up?”
I pressed my lips together. “If we scale, we’ll have to cut down on some of the antibiotics or increase the funding. And I know you don’t like unnecessary spending.”
His lips curved. “I don’t like wasteful spending. There’s a difference.”
I gave him a look. “You sound like you’re about to turn this into another boardroom meeting.”
He chuckled under his breath. “Old habits.”
I shook my head, but the corner of my mouth lifted anyway. “Well, I’ll refine the numbers tonight. If we want to plan for a bigger turnout, we’ll need to get moving quickly.”
“Good.” He nodded, his tone softer this time. “I trust your judgment. Just send me the updated list, and I’ll make sure the financial side doesn’t hold us back.”
That stopped me for a second. I tilted my head at him. “That almost sounded like you were giving me a blank
check.”
He smirked. “Don’t push your luck, Dr. Prescott.”
I rolled my eyes, but my heart warmed just a little.
By the time we reached the hospital’s front entrance, we had covered everything. I closed my notebook with a satisfied snap. We stopped near his car.
“So,” Edmund said, leaning against the sleek black vehicle, “when are we going to sit down and just talk like old friends? No budgets, no contracts, no work in the way.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Edmund-”
Before I could finish, a voice cut through the air.
“Dr. Prescott! Dr. Prescott!”
I turned sharply. A young nurse was running towards me, her face pale.
“Doctor,” she panted, “your friend, Leyla, she just rushed in with Scarlett… the child’s unconscious.”
My entire body froze. The folder in my hand slipped, scattering papers on the ground.
Scarlett.
“My God,” I gasped, spinning towards the hospital entrance. I barely registered Edmund calling after me.
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Chapter 34
“Wait, who is-”
But I was already running, my chest tight, my legs carrying me faster than I thought possible.
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The reception area was chaotic. I pushed through, scanning faces until I found her, Leyla, crumpled in a chair, tears streaking her cheeks.
“Leyla!” I cried, rushing to her. “Where is she? Where’s Scarlett?”
Leyla looked up, her eyes swollen, her voice shaking. “They… they carried her in. A doctor grabbed her immediately. She wasn’t moving, Amelia. She wasn’t moving…”
Her words broke into sobs.
I gripped her shoulders, my own hands trembling. “Which doctor? Where did they take her?”
“I–I don’t know,” she choked. “He just said, ‘I’ll handle this,’ and ran.”
Panic flooded me, cold and consuming. My daughter. My baby. And I couldn’t even treat her myself.
My knees nearly gave out.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
