Chapter 5

Suddenly, the screech of brakes tore through the bus!

"Ah — " Panic spread like wildfire, and the passengers lurched forward like falling dominoes.

Nerissa slammed her stomach hard into the metal armrest of the seat in front. Sharp pain shot through her, and a wave of dizziness hit — everything around her spun and blurred.

"Miss? Hey, are you alright?" A voice called out next to her, but it sounded like it was coming from far away.

Darkness swallowed her up.

The smell of disinfectant.

It was the first thing Nerissa noticed as she slowly came back to herself.

She forced her eyes open and was greeted by bright white lights and an equally white ceiling.

"She's awake!" an unfamiliar female voice exclaimed beside her.

Nerissa turned her head with some effort and saw a kind-looking middle-aged woman gazing at her with concern.

"Where... am I?" she asked weakly.

"You're at the hospital — you passed out on the bus," the middle-aged woman explained. "I was a passenger too. You didn't look right, so I got the driver to head straight here. How are you feeling now?"

Nerissa tried to sit up, but a sharp ache in her stomach made her frown. "Thanks... I think I'm okay."

"Okay? Look at you, you're pale as a ghost," the woman sighed. "The doctor will be here soon. You'd better get a full check-up."

Before she even finished speaking, the curtain to the examination bay was pulled open.

"What's the patient's condition?"

That voice — deep, steady, totally familiar. Nerissa froze.

She looked up abruptly, locking eyes with someone she hadn't expected to see — at all.

Jace stood there in a white coat, stethoscope hanging around his neck and a chart in hand. His gaze landed on her face, and for a brief second, Nerissa caught a flicker of surprise in his eyes. But it disappeared quickly, replaced by his usual cool, professional look.

"Where does it hurt?" His tone was calm, like he didn't even know her.

Nerissa's heart was pounding like crazy. She never thought she'd run into him again... especially not like this.

Sure, she knew he was a doctor — but still, what were the odds?

"My... my stomach hurts," Nerissa muttered, cheeks flaming red like she couldn't control it.

Jace took a few steps closer, stopping right beside the bed. "What kind of pain? Try to be specific."

"It's... like a dull ache, right side of my belly." Her voice got softer and softer, barely above a whisper. "It happened when the bus slammed the brakes."

His eyes stayed on her face for a moment before he glanced at the middle-aged woman nearby. "Are you a relative?"

"Oh no, no," the woman waved her hands quickly. "We were just on the same bus. Now that the doctor's here, I'll be on my way. Sweetie, make sure you get a full check-up, alright?"

Once she left, the room fell quiet with just the two of them inside. The air felt a little too still, and Nerissa could hear her own shaky breathing echoing in the silence.

"Lie down," Jace said, voice crisp. "Lift your shirt."

Nerissa moved like a robot, lying back on the chilly exam bed. Her eyes drifted toward his chest, stopping at the badge clipped there — Associate Chief Physician, Jace Whitmore.