Chapter 9
Selene’s POV
I’ve always loved being a doctor. It’s been my passion for as long as I can remember. I can’t imagine doing anything else, no matter how emotionally and physically drained it leaves me at times.
It’s been a few days since Maximus and his mother visited the hospital. Things are slowly returning to normal, but I can feel the whispers behind my back. My staff is clearly talking about me, especially after what happened with Maximus.
They’re all curious about how I know the most powerful man in this city. They can’t seem to stop marveling at his looks, and honestly, I can’t blame them. The Hemsworth family is known for their striking features, after all.
I keep my distance. I have to be careful. I can’t let Maximus get too close. I don’t want him recognizing anything.
If he sees Anna, just one look at her would be enough. The resemblance is undeniable. He would know. And I can’t let that happen. I won’t lose them…not to him, not to anyone. Not even if he takes legal action. I’ll protect my children, no matter what it takes.
I don’t know how much longer I can keep this secret. What if my children find out that their father lives just down the road, in the same city, and I chose to keep it from them?
Asher wouldn’t make a big deal out of it…he’s too young to understand. But Anna... Anna would never forgive me. She’s too perceptive, too emotional. If she found out, the hurt would cut deep, and I don’t think she’d ever let me live it down.
I know this isn’t the last time I’ll see Maximus. He’s persistent. Ever since I laid eyes on him again, after all these years, he’s been haunting my thoughts. I can’t shake him off. The longer I let my mind linger on him, the harder it becomes to forget.
That’s why I’ve been burying myself in work, trying to find any distraction to push him out of my head. It’s been effective so far, but I know it’s only temporary.
Maximus is not going to waltz back into my life and ruin it again. Not when I’ve worked so hard to get to this point. I’m finally happy.
For the first time in years, I feel like my life is taking shape. I owe that to Angela and my children. I won’t let him take that away from me.
I shake my head, trying to clear the thoughts of him from my mind, when suddenly, the door to my office swings open with an obnoxious bang, snapping me out of my reverie.
I groan when I spot Avery, one of my colleagues who’s become more than just a coworker..a good friend, despite the fact that she can be a lot sometimes.
“Avery, have you heard of something called knocking?” I blink at her, my heart still racing. “You nearly gave me a heart attack! Why the hell did you barge in like that? Are you being chased or something?”
She flashes me that signature grin, closes the door behind her, and strides into my office with purpose.
In one dramatic swoop, she drops into the chair, running her fingers through her jet-black hair. Her brown eyes narrow with a playful gleam, and I can already tell she’s about to drop some wild news. “You won’t believe what I just heard!”
Avery was undeniably pretty, but she was way too nosy and had never managed to keep a relationship going for more than a few weeks.
“Forget about the door, I’m sure you can afford a million of those.” she teases, then, I see her eyes sparkle with gossip. “But there’s a rumor going around the hospital about you and some handsome billionaire. Everyone thinks you’re sleeping with him. Never knew you had it in you, Dr. Andrea!”
She winks at me, her eyebrows wiggling like she’s got the juiciest secret.
I grimace as I try to hold back the disgust. “That’s ridiculous, Avery! You know it’s not true.”
“Ooh, seriously?”
“Where the hell did you even hear that?” I snap, already exasperated. “I’m not sleeping with anyone, and if I were, it sure as hell wouldn’t be him. My God, Avery, he’s married! I told you a thousand times; I’m not interested in that drama. I’m focusing on my career, okay?”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I don’t need a man right now. It’d just distract me from everything I’ve worked for. So, get any fantasies about Mr. Hemsworth out of your head. It’s not happening.”
Avery shrugs, completely unfazed.
I brace myself for a snarky remark, the kind she always throws my way, but instead, she sits there staring at me with an intensity that makes me feel... uncomfortable.
She narrows her eyes, leans in closer, and lowers her voice to a whisper, as if sharing a secret. “Don’t tell me he was hitting on you? There’s no way you don’t have at least a little crush on him. I mean, come on—look at him! He’s the full package!”
I sigh, hoping this conversation will end, but she’s relentless. “He’s got the looks, the money, and let’s not forget all the charity events he’s involved in. People say he’s super humble. And honestly, it doesn’t even matter that he’s married. The interns were talking about how he was holding your hand like you were his wife.”
I can already see where this is headed, and it’s starting to annoy me. “I should’ve asked if they got a picture,” she adds, her excitement only growing. “Don’t you get how amazing this is? Someone like Maximus Hemsworth is actually looking for your attention! Come on, you can’t tell me you don’t feel at least a little thrill just thinking about it.”
“Can we not talk about him, Avery?!”
I roll my eyes at her enthusiasm, but she’s not backing off. “I just don’t get it. How can you have zero interest in your love life? How’s it going down there, huh?”
I can’t help but roll my eyes again. Avery has zero filter, which, honestly, is part of what made us click when we first met. I’m the reserved one, and she’s the wild, crazy friend who would fight anyone for you.
“I’m doing just fine down there, thanks for asking,” I reply as the irritation begins to creep in. “And just so we’re clear, I’m not interested in being that man’s mistress. That’s degrading and disgusting!”
She raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by my firm stance. I know she’s seeing this as some kind of adventure, but I’m not interested in anything to do with Maximus Hemsworth. Not now, not ever.
“Don’t tell me someone broke your heart and you’re still holding a grudge. Not all men are like that, you know,” Avery says, tilting her head like she’s studying me under a microscope.
“I’m not just talking about Mr. Hemsworth,” she adds, a bit softer. “There could be someone out there who’ll treat you like a queen..make you feel at ease. You wouldn’t have to worry about anything. Are you really going to turn that down?”
I shrug, signaling the end of the conversation.
“Why not? And honestly, I’d tell him to run.”