Katherine's eyes were firm and resolute. She ignored Shanshan completely and walked straight toward the office without hesitation.
Her back looked strong and stubborn, like she couldn't be questioned.
Back in the office, Nurse Sana rushed to her side, full of worry. "Katherine, what did the director say?"
Katherine pressed her lips together and gave a warm smile. She tried to sound relaxed. "Nothing serious. The director just gave me a few days off to rest. It's been a while since I had a break anyway."
Nurse Sana's eyes turned red, and her voice trembled. "Is it that serious?"
Looking at the girl in front of her, who was as sweet and caring as a little sister, Katherine's eyes softened. "Sana, I'm fine. Once they finish the investigation, I'll be back. I'm not gone for good.
I haven't really taken any days off this year. Now's a good chance for me to get away and clear my head."
"Focus on your work," she added gently.
Sana couldn't hold back anymore. She hugged Katherine tightly, her voice slightly choked. "Katherine, keep in touch even after you go home. I'll tell you everything that happens in the department every day."
Katherine felt the warmth in her heart. "Alright, I'll call you often. I'm going to hand over my work, then I'll head home."
Sana nodded hard, like a little chick pecking rice.
But soon, news spread through the surgical department like wildfire. Katherine's suspension was suddenly known by everyone.
The originally calm and orderly department turned chaotic, like a rock thrown into a peaceful lake, stirring up waves.
People began whispering, gossip spreading fast.
"Katherine got suspended at such a critical time. Do you think someone set her up?" a young nurse frowned, suspicious.
"She's so professional. There's no way she made that kind of mistake!"
A new doctor nodded in agreement, his eyes full of trust in Katherine.
"Who knows? No matter how good she is, everyone makes mistakes sometimes."
Another nurse holding a chart rolled her eyes, sounding a bit mocking.
Sana, who was passing by the nurse station, heard their conversation.
She stormed over like an angry lion, eyes burning with fire. "What are you talking about? The investigation isn't even finished, and you're already spreading rumors!"
Hearing that, the others looked grim, like the sky before a storm.
"Sana, just because you're close with Katherine doesn't mean you can defend her. If she wasn't guilty, why would she be suspended?"
Sana glared at the speaker. Her gaze was like a sharp blade, cutting through the fake faces.
"I don't have time to argue with you. Just remember, Dr. Katherine will come back."
With that, she walked off, her spirit unshaken, leaving the group speechless.
After finishing the handover, Katherine took her personal belongings and walked slowly to the parking lot.
Every step felt heavy with thoughts. Walking down the hospital hallway, she looked like a lonely traveler, untouched by the noise around her.
She reached the underground parking lot, opened the car door, and sat inside.
It was completely silent, except for her breathing.
She didn't move for a long time, as if time had stopped.
Then sadness came crashing over her like waves. Her eyes turned red.
To her, it felt like her world had fallen apart.
Getting suspended from work felt like a nightmare, and the pain in her heart from her relationship troubles hurt even more.
Dealing with both, she felt like she was drowning in a dark whirlpool.
Just then, her phone rang inside her bag, breaking the silence like a loud alarm.
Katherine wiped her tears, cleared her throat, and pulled out her phone.
Seeing her grandpa's name on the screen, she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and answered the call. "Hello, Grandpa."
"Katherine, what time do you get off work? I'll have Andrew pick you up at the hospital," her grandpa's kind voice said.
But as soon as she heard "Andrew," her heart clenched tighter. It only made her feel worse.
She wasn't a heartless puppet. Her heart was bleeding.
"Grandpa, it's alright. I drove today. I'll come straight to you after I'm done."
Her grandfather chuckled happily. "Alright, then I'll be waiting at home."
"Okay, Grandpa." After hanging up, Katherine put her phone away and looked up. She saw a doctor she used to perform surgeries with walking toward her.
Startled like a frightened deer, she quickly started the car and drove away.
The man stood there, confused. "That was Dr. Katherine, wasn't it?"
He shook his head in frustration. "Did she not see me?"
Katherine drove out of the parking lot, but her emotions didn't settle.
She turned on the music, trying to distract herself. But the song playing was "Letting Go," and every word hit her like a hammer.
"If loving you means letting go, then maybe I need to learn how…"
Tears poured down her face uncontrollably. "Andrew, I hate you," she cried.
The song kept repeating in the car. She didn't even know how many times she listened to it before her tears dried up.
She opened the door and got out of the car, dragging her tired body home.