Mara strode purposefully into the hospital lobby, her heels clicking against the pristine white tiles as Stefan walked beside her. The scent of antiseptic and faint traces of coffee from the nearby vending machine filled the air. Despite the sterile environment, a warm energy buzzed around the reception desk, where Nurse Joanne sat, radiating cheerfulness like the morning sun.
"Good morning, Dr. Shepherd!" she chirped, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him.
Stefan, known to nearly everyone in the hospital as the "handsome doctor," barely glanced up from his thoughts. He offered her a distracted smile, his mind already ahead of him, searching for answers before he even reached his destination.
"Hey, Joanne. What room is Vera Knight in? The patient was admitted last evening?" His voice was calm but urgent. He hadn't been on shift when Vera was brought in, but something about her case had lingered in his mind since he first read the report.
