Wake Up Leave The Liar novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The Chief blinked, adjusting his glasses. “Are you serious? What about Captain Bennett? The guy’s practically glued to your side. You think he’ll let you leave for years?”

I gave a small, bitter smile. “I’ll find a way to convince him.”

Truth was, I wouldn’t have to.

This time around, that sham of a marriage? It’s not happening.

If he loves Lila so much, he can have her.

Noah Bennett will never get a say in my life again.

The Chief’s eyes lit up. “That’s incredible!” He snatched a form from the drawer. “Fill this out. I’ll get it approved immediately. Start preparing!”

I filled out the paperwork, said my goodbyes, and walked out of the hospital.

The summer sun was blazing, the heat rippling off the concrete. I squinted toward the big locust tree by the entrance.

In my past life, Noah always waited for me there after work.

And sure enough-he was there now.

Tall. Straight-backed. Shirt crisp, every line precise. His profile sharp as a blade under the shade of the tree.

But the soda I loved wasn’t in his hand.

Instead, he held a package of almond cookies-wrapped neatly in parchment paper.

And right in front of him stood that delicate, pretty intern-Lila.

Her eyes sparkled as she took the cookies. “Captain Bennett, you’re the best! I only mentioned yesterday that I was craving almond cookies, and actually got them for me!”

Noah didn’t answer. His lips curved faintly. Then, without thinking, he reached out and brushed her hair with a soft, casual touch. His eyes-warm, gentle-held a kind of affection even he didn’t notice.

My heart twisted.

In my past life, I’d seen that look before. Of course I had.

But I was so damn sure he loved me.

And he always had the perfect excuse.

“She’s your intern,” he’d say. “You care about her. Since I love you, I care about her too.”

I believed him.

But now-after sixty years of lies-looking at that scene again, it was all too clear.

“Ella,” he said gently, done for the day? What took you so long?”

Lila flinched like a startled deer, hurriedly hiding the cookies behind her back.

A flash of panic crossed her face before she forced a bright smile.

Dr. Carter! You’re finally out! Captain Bennett’s been waiting forever. What did the Chief need you for? And what’s that paper you’re holding?”

She reached toward the study-abroad form in my hand, pretending curiosity.

I calmly slid it into my bag. My tone was cool. “Nothing.”

Noah’s brow furrowed.

He couldn’t explain it, but something felt… different.

We’d only been apart a few hours, yet I wasn’t the same woman who’d left that morning.

The warmth, the devotion he’d grown used to-it was gone.

In its place was something he couldn’t read at all.

Cold. Detached. Unfamiliar.