Chapter 72 Pick you up

Chapter 72 Pick you up
April stepped out of her car and hurried into the hospital, her coat billowing behind her. 
The moment she entered, she was met with a group of nurses already waiting for her. Their faces were tense, and she could tell the situation was serious.
“Dr. Harrington, the patient was in a major accident. He has multiple internal injuries and severe trauma,” one of the nurses informed her as they walked quickly through the hallway.
April nodded, already switching into work mode. “Where’s his latest scan? I need a full report before we proceed.”
“The results are already in your office,” another nurse replied. “You can check them while you get ready.”
April quickened her pace, heading toward her office. Once inside, she placed her bag on her desk and immediately grabbed the medical report from her assistant. 
She scanned through the details, her mind working rapidly to assess the severity of the situation.
Without wasting another second, she went to the locker in the corner of her office and quickly changed into her work attire. 
She tied her hair into a tight bun, washed her hands thoroughly, and slipped on her surgical gloves before following the nurses back to the emergency department.
Inside the operating room, a team was already preparing the patient for surgery. 
The bright lights, beeping machines, and the sterile scent of the room surrounded her as she took her place beside the operating table.
“Let’s begin.”
The surgery was long and grueling. The patient had extensive internal bleeding, multiple fractures, and a collapsed lung. 
Every second counted, and April’s hands moved swiftly yet carefully as she worked alongside her team. 
The hours stretched on as they repaired the damage, stopping only to reassess and adjust their approach when necessary.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last stitch was made. 
The machines beeped steadily, indicating the patient was stable. A wave of exhaustion washed over April, but she let out a relieved breath.
“It’s done,” she murmured.
The other doctors and nurses exchanged tired but satisfied looks.
“Great work, Dr. Harrington,” one of the assistants said.
April nodded, stripping off her gloves and tossing them into the bin.
“Make sure he’s monitored closely for the next twenty-four hours. I want updates on his condition every hour.”
“Yes, doctor.”
She stepped out of the operating room, her entire body aching from the hours of focus and precision. 
Just as she was about to head to her office to take a much-needed break, a young nurse approached her.
“Dr. Harrington,” the nurse said hesitantly. “Someone is waiting for you in your office.”
April frowned, wiping the sweat off her forehead. “Who?”
The nurse shook her head. “I don’t know, ma’am. He didn’t say.”
April sighed. She wasn’t expecting anyone. The only person who had been persistently showing up lately was Nick. If it was him again, she had finally run out of patience.
Muttering under her breath, she started toward her office, pulling off her surgical cap and running her fingers through her hair. 
She was already exhausted, and the last thing she wanted was another confrontation.
“If it’s Nick again, I swear I’m going to give him a piece of my mind,” she mumbled, her pace quickening.
When she finally reached her office, she pushed the door open with an annoyed huff—only to stop dead in her tracks.
It wasn’t Nick.
Sitting comfortably in one of the chairs was Richard.
For a moment, she just stared at him, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing.
He was dressed in his usual tailored suit, looking every bit the powerful and confident man he had always been. But what caught her attention the most were the gifts stacked neatly on her desk.
Flowers, a small box wrapped elegantly, and another bag that looked like it contained something expensive.
She blinked, her lips parting in surprise. “Richard?”
Richard stood up, a small smile on his lips. “Hey, April.”
Her body stiffened. She wasn’t sure what to feel—confusion, irritation, or just plain exhaustion from dealing with him.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.
He raised his hands slightly, as if to reassure her. “Relax. I’m not here to cause you any trouble.”
April narrowed her eyes. “Then why are you here?”
He exhaled, his expression turning serious. “Because I needed to see you. I needed to tell you how I feel.”
April felt her pulse quicken. “Richard, I—”
He cut her off gently. “Please, just hear me out.”
She sighed and walked toward her desk, setting her hands on the surface to steady herself. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear whatever he had to say. But at the same time, she was too drained to argue.
Richard took a step closer. “I know I messed up, April. I know I wasn’t the husband you deserved. And I regret that every single day.”
April clenched her jaw. “That’s easy to say now that I’m gone.”
“I know,” he admitted. “And you have every right to feel the way you do. But believe me when I say that I didn’t realize what I had until you were no longer in my life.”
She swallowed, gripping the edge of the desk. “Richard, we were never in love. That marriage was never real.”
“That’s what I used to think too,” he said softly. “But I was wrong. I thought I didn’t love you, but the truth is—I just didn’t realize that I did. Not until it was too late.”
April squeezed her eyes shut for a brief second before looking at him again. “I don’t want to do this.”
“I’m not asking you to take me back,” he said quickly. “I know I don’t deserve that. But I am asking you to find a place in your heart to forgive me. To at least give me a chance to show you that I’ve changed.”
April let out a breath, finally sinking into her chair. Her legs were starting to feel weak. This was too much. Too unexpected.
Richard watched her carefully. “Please, April. Just give me a chance. If not as your husband, then at least as a friend.”
She looked up at him sharply. “A friend?”
He nodded. “I know it’s probably a bad idea, but I don’t want to lose you completely.”
April bit her lip. She knew accepting would be dangerous. She knew how things could spiral if she let Richard back into her life. But she also knew he wasn’t going to back down.
She sighed, rubbing her forehead. “Fine. But only as friends.”
A slow grin spread across Richard’s face. “I’ll take it.”
April shook her head, still unsure if she was making a mistake. “What are all these gifts for?”
He gestured toward them. “For you. Just a small way of showing my appreciation.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.”
April sighed, but before she could respond, Richard spoke again.
“Oh, and before I leave—” He smiled, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “I’ll be back later to pick you up for dinner.”
April’s eyes widened. “What?”
“You heard me,” he said, smirking.
“I have things to take care of, Richard.”
But before she could say anything else, he was already heading for the door.
“See you tonight, April,” he said cheerfully before shutting the door behind him.
April let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back in her chair.
This man was impossible.