THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 336: The Third Wheel

In the blink of an eye, two weeks had passed and Steffan had to resume back at the hospital.

As Steffan stepped into the hospital, the familiar scent of antiseptic greeted him in addition to the flurry of activities from the doctors and nurses going about their duties.

He could also feel the love and acceptance from the doctors and nurses who greeted him with warm smiles as he passed by which he responded to as his nature was.

That was enough for now as he didn’t remember their names or who they were, except Dr Martins and a few other doctors who had visited him the most when he was on admission.

Most of them had come around to see and interact with him while he was recuperating some weeks back, however it still felt like his first time reporting for duty in the hospital as he found his way to the Chief’s office.

From his past memories, he remembered that this was the best hospital in Baltimore and the dream of every doctor was to work here.

He had only refused their invite in the past because he wanted to further his education and harness more skill after he was done with Med school.

’So I have truly worked in this hospital?’ He asked himself.

After a light knock on the door, he turned the handle and stepped into the doctor’s office.

Dr Sullivan’s face instantly broke into a smile the moment he saw the person who just entered.

"Son, it’s good to see you again. How are you," he asked, standing up to envelope Steffan in a hug.

Steffan, who was already used to Dr Sullivan’s affection right from when he was on admission, returned the hug. "I’m fine, Chief. I came to report for duty and find out what you have arranged for me to do."

"That’s right. Do you feel you are up to the task yet? It’s quite hectic here, I must warn you."

"I am, Chief. I’m almost bored to death just staying at home doing nothing," he said with a grimace. Except thinking about that damned woman all day who up till now had not seen reasons to reach out to him as agreed.

"It’s alright, although I would have loved for you to still spend a couple of weeks getting your act together, but it’s okay."

"So what do I have to do?"

"For now, you’ll familiarize yourself with some of the cases and patients, then we’ll see what ha after that.

"Are you doubting my skills Chief?"

"It sounds awful when you put it that way. But it’s part of the evaluation process to see if your procedural memory was affected," Dr Sullivan explained.

"I understand," Steffan said.

"Let me show you to your previous office," Dr Sullivan said, rising to his feet.

"After you, Chief," Steffan stood aside for the older doctor to lead the way.

At his office, everything appeared new to him except some of the medical journals that were displayed on the shelf and the good old doctor’s coat that was hung on the suit stand.

He could see traces of his former self. Perhaps he might find something interesting in this office.

He spent most of his morning there, familiarizing himself about some of the patients that he had been under his care before the accident.

Many staff and doctors were happy to have their handsome doctor back, but the happiest to hear of Steffan’s return was Dolly and hurried off to see him as soon as she was off duty.

She would be having unrestricted access to Steffan as now without having to endure the hatred of his nauseating family members.

It was late noon when he heard a tap on the door.

"Come in," he called, rubbing his eyes and Dolly stepped into the office within an aggrieved expression.

"Why didn’t you tell me you would be resuming today? I only heard from the nurses just now that you have been in your office all morning," she demanded, her voice tinged with hurt. "So much for being my friend," Dolly accused unhappily.

"I’m sorry, Dolly. I’ve been trying to get my bearings, and I guess I didn’t think to inform everyone. Even Dr Sullivan was not prepared for my coming."

Dolly’s demeanor softened slightly as she took a seat opposite him. "I understand, but you could have at least told me. We were together the entire weekend. Anyways, what’s up?"

They talked for a while, however their extended conversation didn’t go unnoticed.

Outside, whispers circulated among theor colleague.

"Have you noticed that Dr Dolly has been in Steffan’s office like forever?" one nurse remarked, glancing towards the closed door.

"You also did? But doesn’t she know that Dr Steffan is engaged?" another nurse responded, eyebrows raised.

"There’s a possibility she is not aware. They would have made a lovely couple, though, but Steffan is already engaged to Lauren. If not for the accident, they would already be married by now."

"Yeah, and maybe it’s not what we’re thinking, afterall, Dr Dolly is equally beautiful and outstanding, she doesn’t need to degrade herself to get a man," someone else added, 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"I hope so too."

Meanwhile, oblivious to the ruckus she had caused, Dolly leaned closer to Steffan. "How about a break? Let’s grab lunch at the cafeteria before I head back."

Steffan, who had been cooped up in the office all morning agreed.

As they walked down the corridor, Dolly hanging affectionately onto his arm, the staff’s murmurs grew louder.

"Look at them. She’s practically hanging on him," the female nurse who had raised her concerns earlier whispered.

"Isn’t that a bit too much, especially since she knows she’s engaged?" a nurse replied, eyes narrowing.

"I thought Steffan loved only Lauren, why is he so close to another woman?"

"Have you forgotten that after the accident, he could no longer remember most things, including his relationship with Lauren?"

"Doesn’t that mean that Dr Dolly is taking advantage of him?"

"Obviously. I always thought Dr Dolly was more professional than this," someone else chimed in, shaking her head in disappointment.

"Poor Lauren," another nurse commented, sighing. "She doesn’t deserve this."

"Maybe we should help Lauren protect her man."

"How?"

"Come close," the other nurse said.

And just like that, Dolly’s image had shattered irredeemably in the twinkle of an eye as she was now seen as a third wheel in the marriage of their most outstanding doctor.

After lunch, as they made their way back, Steffan felt more at ease. Dolly’s company was soothing, especially as most of the people were still strange to him though they didn’t treat him like a stranger.

But that calm was shattered when they turned a corner and he saw a familiar figure, going down the corridor.

"Lauren?" Steffan unconsciously spoke aloud, his brows furrowed in confusion. ’What was she doing in the hospital?’

At the same time Lauren turned around as she heard her name from the all too familiar voice.

Her eyes darted between Steffan and Dolly, taking in the sight of them together before her lips suddenly turned up in a smirk as she walked up to them.