CHAPTER 6: Breaking and Mending

The hospital break room was abuzz with the usual chatter, a brief respite for the doctors and nurses who had been working nonstop since the early hours of the morning. Today, however, the atmosphere was heavier, tinged with a sense of melancholy. Gray sat among her colleagues, her expression calm but her heart conflicted. Her resignation had been the topic of every whispered conversation, and now, it was finally out in the open.

Dr. Ferris, a seasoned trauma surgeon with salt-and-pepper hair, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "I still can't believe you're leaving us, Dr. Gray. Who's going to handle all the tricky neurosurgeries now? Certainly not me."

A chorus of agreement followed his statement, a mix of teasing and genuine concern. Dr. Lydia, the youngest member of their team, sighed dramatically. "You can't just leave us, Doc Gray. Who will keep us sane during those all-night shifts?"

Nurse Abigail, a gentle woman with a nurturing spirit, chimed in. "And what about your little patient in the pediatric wing? That boy adores you. He's been making so much progress under your care. How do we tell him you're going away?"

Gray managed a small, reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll speak to him myself," she promised, her voice steady despite the sadness that threatened to break through. "And I'll continue covering his medical expenses, no matter where I am. He deserves every chance to recover fully."

Dr. Louise, a longtime friend and the closest thing she had to a confidant here, shook her head in disbelief. "They're pulling you out of Aldeburgh for that new hospital in Vaeloris? They're out of their minds. You're the best we have here. It doesn't make any sense."

The break room fell into silence, everyone knowing there was little she could say to change the course that had already been set. Gray's resignation wasn't just a matter of her personal choice; it was a political move, one that none of them fully understood. But they respected her too much to pry further.

"Thank you, everyone," Gray said, her voice soft but sincere. "I'm going to miss you all too. But we still have a month, and I'll make sure to leave things in good hands."

Before anyone could respond, the shrill sound of an emergency alarm cut through the air, jolting everyone into action.

---

The OR department was a whirlwind of activity, the aftermath of a major vehicular accident flooding the emergency room with patients in critical condition. Gray moved like a force of nature through the chaos, her mind focused entirely on the task at hand. The hours blurred into one another as she and her team worked tirelessly, suturing wounds, stabilizing broken bones, and saving lives.

Her fifth patient of the night was a young man with a severe head injury, his life hanging by a thread. Gray's hands moved with practiced precision, her every movement calculated and efficient. The world outside the operating room ceased to exist, her fatigue forgotten in the face of the fight for this patient's survival.

By the time she finally emerged from the OR, the first light of dawn was beginning to filter through the hospital windows. She was bone-tired, her body protesting with every step, but she knew she had done all she could.

"Dr. Gray," one of the nurses called after her, concern etched on her face. "Are you heading home? You've been here all night."

Gray gave a weary nod. "Yes, I'll head home now. Thank you for holding the fort, everyone. Make sure to get some rest when you can."

With that, she slipped out of the hospital, the crisp morning air a welcome relief against her flushed skin. The drive back to the palace was a quiet one, the city just beginning to stir awake.

---

When she finally arrived at the palace, the grandeur of its marble halls felt strangely hollow. Gray trudged through the corridors, her footsteps echoing in the early morning silence. As she approached the family dining room, the sound of clinking dishes and low conversation drifted out to meet her.

Pushing open the door, she was greeted by an unexpected sight: Queen Amara and Prince Dale were at the kitchen counter, their hands busy with preparing breakfast. The scene was almost domestic, a stark contrast to the cold distance that had characterized their marriage so far.

Queen Amara looked up first, her eyes softening at the sight of Gray. "Oh, my dear, you look exhausted. Come, sit down. Let me fix you something to eat."

Gray shook her head, managing a tired smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty, but I'm alright. I just need to rest."

"You've been working all night again, haven't you?" Queen Amara's voice was laced with concern, her motherly instincts kicking in. "At least have some tea before you go to bed."

Gray hesitated, glancing briefly at Dale, who hadn't so much as acknowledged her presence. He continued to chop vegetables with a precision that spoke of barely contained tension. It was as if she was invisible to him, a ghost in their shared home.

"It's fine, really," she said softly, turning back to Queen Amara. "I appreciate the offer, but I'll just return to my room for now."

Queen Amara gave her a sympathetic look but didn't press further. "Very well, dear. Rest well."

Gray nodded her thanks and quietly excused herself, the exhaustion finally catching up with her. She made her way to the guest room—what had become her sanctuary since the argument that had driven her from their marital bed.

---

The room was just as she had left it, her belongings neatly arranged, a stark contrast to the chaos of her life. She slipped into the bathroom for a quick half bath, the warm water soothing her aching muscles. By the time she emerged, she could barely keep her eyes open.

She collapsed onto the bed, the soft sheets welcoming her like a long-lost friend. But as sleep claimed her, her mind was plagued by flashes of memories and questions that refused to quiet down. Images of the accident victims, the disapproving look of her father, and the cold indifference of her husband swirled together in a restless haze.

How much longer can I keep up this façade? she wondered, her last conscious thought before exhaustion pulled her under.

For now, the world could wait. She had done all she could, and tomorrow would be another battle to face. But tonight, she would allow herself the brief comfort of sleep, even if it was filled with nightmares that refused to let her go.