Chapter 762

Even Nate, with his ice-cool composure, couldn’t keep it together when Lena turned up the heat. Lena burst into laughter, her soft giggles breaking the tension. “You’re adorable,” she teased. Lena led Nate to the hospital room where Keira’s aunt was resting.

Once there, Nate flipped straight into doctor mode, scanning the records. After a beat, he looked up, his expression serious. “With everything going on—her heart, the cerebral infarction—I wouldn’t recommend another surgery. It’s too risky.”

As a fellow doctor, Lena knew no physician would crush a patient’s hope without reason. If Nate was this firm, it meant more procedures weren’t the right call. She nodded. “I’ll talk to Keira. Whether to hang on to this slim chance will be up to her and the family. But… if they insist on the surgery, could you take it on?”

Nate hesitated, visibly torn. His plate was already overflowing. Lena picked up on it immediately and didn’t push. “I’ll speak with Keira first.”

“Alright,” Nate sighed. “If they’re set on it, let me know. I’ll have my assistant sort out the timing.”

But Lena’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. She could feel how overworked he was, even if he was here with her. This kind of togetherness—dragging him away from obligations or mentors—it didn’t sit right. As a doctor herself, Lena got it. Busy days were part of the gig. But unlike Nate, she knew how to carve out time for herself. Why was his life so overwhelming?

“Nate, are you always this busy?” she asked softly.

Nate paused. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.

Lena smiled. “It’s not your fault. I get it. Anyway, come on. You said today’s mine, remember?” Lena threw an arm over Nate’s shoulder, making him dip slightly to match her shorter frame.

They left the hospital room, their conversation light and full of laughs. But as soon as they stepped outside, the mood shifted. Retta was waiting for them by the entrance. Nate’s expression soured instantly, while Lena stifled a laugh. “Looks like you’re not…”