Chapter 69 Made a mistake

Chapter 69 Made a mistake
April let out a deep breath as she pulled off her surgical gloves, the tension from the past hours finally easing. 
The appendix surgery had gone successfully, and as she discarded the gloves in the bin, she removed her face mask, letting it hang loosely in one hand. 
The nurses around her exchanged satisfied looks, a job well done.
“Transfer her to the ward and keep a close watch on her vitals,” April instructed in a calm but firm tone, referring to Cara, who was still unconscious on the operating table.
“Yes, Dr. Harrington,” one of the nurses replied, already moving to carry out the orders.
April took one last glance at Cara. The woman who had once been her stepsister, the same woman who had taken everything from her years ago, was now lying helpless in the hospital bed.
It was ironic how fate worked. But April felt nothing—no hatred, no pity. She had done her job as a doctor, and that was all that mattered.
Without another thought, she turned and pushed the operating room doors open, stepping into the brightly lit hallway. 
The moment she did, she saw her father, Mr. Harrington, pacing anxiously just outside the room. His hands were clasped together, his face filled with worry. As soon as he saw her, his eyes searched her face for an answer.
April frowned. “The surgery was successful.”
Relief washed over Mr. Harrington’s face, but before he could speak, April walked right past him. She had no interest in whatever he had to say.
“April, wait—”
She ignored him, increasing her pace. The last thing she wanted was a conversation with a man who had once chosen another family over her, a man who had never defended her and had her forced into a loveless marriage. 
His concern now meant nothing.
Once she reached her office, she exhaled heavily, shutting the door behind her. She leaned against it briefly, closing her eyes. 
Today had been exhausting. Checking the time, she realized it was already late. She hoped Gina had been able to pick up her kids from school as she had texted to remind her earlier.
Shaking off her fatigue, she quickly changed out of her scrubs and into her regular clothes. She gathered her belongings, slung her handbag over her shoulder, and left the office, walking briskly through the quiet hospital corridors.
As she walked past the nurses’ station, a few of them smiled and waved.
“Goodnight, Dr. Harrington!”
“Goodnight,” she responded with a small nod, barely slowing her pace.
Once outside, the night air felt cool against her skin. The parking lot was brightly lit despite the late hour, and only a few cars remained. 
As she walked toward her vehicle, her steps faltered when she noticed someone leaning against her car.
A tall figure, arms crossed, waiting.
Her heart clenched in annoyance the moment she recognized him. Nick.
Her ex-boyfriend. The same man who had broken her heart years ago, leaving her for her stepsister, Cara.
April narrowed her eyes, irritation flaring up instantly. What was he doing here? She had already warned him the last time he came to her office.
She squared her shoulders, marching toward him. “Nick,” she called out sharply. “Why are you here again?”
Nick straightened, turning to face her. His lips curled into a half-smile, but there was something off about the way his eyes looked at her. Almost desperate.
“April,” he breathed, as if just saying her name made him feel something deep. “I was waiting for you.”
April scoffed. “I told you to stay away from me. Are you stalking me now?”
Nick shook his head quickly. “No, no. I just… I needed to see you.”
April crossed her arms. “For what? Haven’t I made myself clear? I don’t want anything to do with you.”
Nick took a hesitant step toward her, and instinctively, she stepped back. She didn’t trust him.
“I miss you, April,” he said, his voice soft, almost pleading. “Seeing you again after all these years—”
April let out a dry laugh, cutting him off. “You miss me?” she repeated mockingly. “After leaving me for my stepsister? That’s rich, Nick.”
Nick’s jaw tightened. “I made a mistake.”
“A mistake?” April’s lips curled in disbelief. “Oh, so now it was a mistake?”
Nick ran a hand through his hair. “I thought I loved Cara, okay? But I didn’t. It was you, April. It has always been you.”
April stared at him for a moment before laughing again, shaking her head. “Unbelievable.”
“April, listen to me—”
“No, you listen to me,” she snapped, her expression turning cold.
“You broke up with me, Nick. You threw me aside for my stepsister, for what? Because she was all flashy and the Harrington heiress? Because she was better for you? And now, after all these years, you suddenly realize I was the one you wanted?” She let out a bitter chuckle. 
“Pathetic.”
Nick clenched his fists, his face twisting in frustration. “I made the wrong choice, April. I know that now. I’ve changed, and I want to make things right. We can go back to the way things were before—”
April’s expression darkened. “You really think I would ever take you back?” She shook her head in disgust. “Nick, you were a weak man then, and you’re still a weak man now.”
Nick took another step closer. “April, don’t say that. I—”
April’s patience snapped. “You think you can just walk back into my life and pretend like nothing happened? Like you didn’t betray me?” Her eyes burned with anger.
“You left me to marry another man, Nick. A man I didn’t love. And now you’re here, trying to ruin what’s left?”
Nick’s face twisted in desperation. “I can fix this—”
“There is nothing to fix!” April barked.
“I have moved on. I don’t need you. I don’t love you. And frankly, I don’t even hate you anymore because you’re simply not worth it.”
Nick’s expression hardened at her words. His eyes darkened, his entire demeanor shifting.
“If I can’t have you…” he murmured, his voice low and dangerous, “then I won’t let any man have you either.”
A chill ran down April’s spine. His words, his tone—it sent a warning through her.
But April wasn’t one to be intimidated anymore— unlike her old self. This isn’t the April they all once knew.
She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze with fierce determination. “You don’t get to decide that,” she said firmly.
She turned on her heels, unlocking her car.
Nick didn’t try to stop her, but she could feel his eyes burning into her back as she climbed into the driver’s seat.
As soon as she locked the doors, she exhaled sharply, gripping the steering wheel.
She needed to stay away from him. Nick wasn’t just desperate—he was unstable.
And if she wasn’t careful… he could become dangerous.