I Stopped Loving Him When He Let Me Bleed Out novel Chapter 94

Xavier took a step forward and set the insulated bag on the bedside table.

"The injuries on his face were from his mother. She had never laid a finger on him his entire life. But yesterday, because of you, he completely severed ties with her." He looked at Sienna, lowering his voice. "Dr. Sterling, I'm not here to make excuses for him. I just want you to know that he isn't the kind of man you think he is. Just give him a chance."

Sienna set down her pen, her gaze completely flat.

"Are you finished?"

Xavier was caught off guard.

"If you're finished, please get out. The patient needs to rest."

Xavier opened his mouth, but swallowed whatever he was going to say.

He threw Finn a sympathetic look and turned to leave.

Pausing at the door, he didn't look back. "Finn, I've got your admission paperwork sorted. Call me if you need anything. Isaac is around anyway, so you can always grab him."

The door clicked shut.

The cubicle was left to just the two of them.

Sienna stood up and hooked the clipboard onto the end of the bed.

"Stay for observation. We'll consult on the eardrum tomorrow." She picked up her stethoscope, draped it around her neck, and turned to leave.

"Sienna," Finn called out from behind her.

She didn't stop.

"You never used to be like this."

Her steps faltered for a fraction of a second.

Then she pulled the curtain back and walked out.

As the fabric fell closed behind her, her breathing hitched. She shut her eyes, forcing herself to steady her racing thoughts.

Raising a hand, she smoothed the lapel of her white coat.

When she opened her eyes again, they were a pool of icy calm, devoid of any ripples.

Sienna sat in the doctor's lounge for ten minutes. A patient's chart was open on her monitor, but she hadn't typed a single word.

Two knocks sounded at the door before Isaac pushed his way in, holding a sleek folder.

"Dr. Sterling, is it a good time?"

Sienna stood up.

"Director Holloway."

Isaac took a seat across from her and set the folder on the desk.

He didn't open it. Instead, he watched her in silence for a few seconds.

One of them was Director Julian Vance of the Aeromedical Division, who was tasked with questioning Finn's attending physician.

That physician was Sienna.

"What is Captain Fletcher's current medical status?"

"Facial soft-tissue contusions, swelling around the left orbit, bruising on the cheekbone, and a lacerated lip. The CT scan showed no intracranial hemorrhage, but his left eardrum is congested. His hearing requires further evaluation."

"Will these injuries impact his ability to fly?"

Sienna hesitated for a split second.

"Based on his current vitals, no. However, we must wait for the audiology report before making a final determination."

Julian flipped through the documents in his hands.

"We checked his previous medical records, which noted occasional premature ventricular contractions. What is the status on that?"

Beneath the desk, Sienna's hands curled into fists.

She recalled that exact physical exam report.

She had indeed flagged it deliberately at the time, assuming it was a minor blip that wouldn't actually ground him...

But now, her answer could dictate his entire future.

"Dr. Sterling?" Julian prompted, looking directly at her.