The Ember and The Queen

Rain's POV

The Next Morning

I woke up slowly, the warmth of the early morning sun grazing my skin. For a few seconds, I let myself believe everything was still perfect—her touch still burned on my skin, the echo of last night still soft and sacred in my mind.

But when I reached out...

She wasn't there.

The space beside me was cold.

Empty.

I sat up in bed, the sheets tangled around my waist, heart thudding in a slow, confused rhythm. I looked around the room—her jacket, her bag, her phone—gone.

Gone.

I swallowed back the sudden rise of panic, tried to stay calm, to not jump to conclusions. Maybe she just went out for air. Maybe she's downstairs. Maybe—

Then I saw it.

A piece of paper, folded once, placed carefully on the bedside table.

My hands trembled as I reached for it.

Her handwriting. Clean. Familiar.

Rain,
I didn't want to wake you. You looked so peaceful. I needed to breathe, to think. I'm not running away—I swear. I just needed a moment to remember who I am without falling apart again. Just give me time to figure out what I really want.
– K.

It was like the wind got knocked out of me.
Not quite a goodbye.
But not a promise either.

I pressed the note to my chest, blinking back tears.

So last night... was real.

But maybe love wasn't enough—not yet. Not for her. Not while she was still finding the pieces of herself.

And maybe, just maybe... I had to let her go again.

Even if it broke me a second time.

Then a buzz on my phone startled me.

I blinked, wiped the corner of my eye, and reached for it. A notification lit up the screen. It was a call.

"Dr. Celmar—"
Dr. Ashley. Head of General Surgery at Linox Hospital.

I cleared my throat, steadying my voice.
"Hi, Dr. Ashley!"

Her voice on the other end was soft but urgent.
"Rain, I heard about the board's decision. I'm sorry it came to that."

I swallowed hard, heart still raw.
"Yeah... me too."

She didn't waste time.
"Listen, I wrote you a recommendation letter. I have a colleague at Mount Sinai—he's the department chief. They're short one general surgeon and urgently hiring. I sent your profile over this morning."

I blinked.
Mount Sinai. New York.

"Are... you serious?"

"I wouldn't be calling you if I wasn't. You're one of the best I've ever mentored, Rain. You deserve more than what Linox is giving you. Maybe it's time to start somewhere new... for real this time."

I closed my eyes. The ache in my chest deepened, not from heartbreak—this time, it was something else. A door opening.

Maybe this was the sign I needed.

"Thank you, Dr. Ashley. Really."

"Take the leap, Celmar," she said gently, "You've carried enough weight. It's time to choose yourself."