REVENGE'S UNEXPECTED LOVE

A DAY AT WORK

As the morning light filters through the blinds of their apartment, well,.. on their home. Ismarie and Sean prepare for their day at the hospital.

They move around each other in a comfortable dance, packing lunches, ironing scrubs, and sharing the bathroom mirror.

Despite the usual morning rush, there's a quiet understanding between them—a shared serenity that came from their time at the cabin.

Upon arriving at the hospital, the atmosphere contrasts starkly with the tranquility of their morning.

The corridors buzz with the energy of medical staff, patients, and the beeping of machines.

As Ismarie and Sean walk through the hospital together, their appearance sparks a flurry of whispers and sideways glances from their colleagues.

In the staff lounge, a group of nurses cluster around a table, their conversation dropping to hushed tones as Ismarie enters.

She catches snippets of their words—curiosity, and confusion about her sudden marriage to Sean, whom many know as a dedicated, albeit private, surgeon.

"I hear they just woke up and got married, no big wedding or anything," one nurse says, eyeing Ismarie as she approaches the coffee machine. "Seems sudden, doesn’t it? After her breakup with Max...Then marry his uncle! That's a low blow"

Another nurse shrugs, a smirk playing on her lips. "Maybe it’s true love, or maybe it’s a rebound. Who knows? But they do seem happy. I wonder how Max is doing"

Meanwhile, Sean encounters a different reception from his surgical team. Dr. Ellis, an older and more traditional surgeon, pats him on the back with a grin. "Well, Sean, you caught us all off guard with the wedding news. She's a catch, that one. You always did like to keep your cards close to your chest."

In the corner of the room, a couple of younger surgeons whisper among themselves. "Didn’t Sean just work with her on that difficult case last month? Now they're married? It’s a bit fast, don’t you think?" one comments, skepticism clear in his tone.

"Yeah," agrees the other, "but if he’s happy, who are we to judge? Maybe it’s the real deal."

As the morning progresses, Ismarie feels the weight of the various gazes and whispered judgments.

During a brief lunch break, she joins Sean in a quiet corner of the hospital's cafeteria. "It seems our marriage has become the talk of the hospital," she says, a wry smile touching her lips.

Sean takes her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "Let them talk," he replies. "We know the truth of us. We went into this with our eyes open, and what matters is that we’re in this together."

Ismarie nods, her spirits lifted by his words. "You’re right. I guess it's just strange to be the center of gossip."

"Today, maybe," Sean says with a gentle smile. "But give it time, and it'll be old news. Let’s just focus on why we’re here—to help our patients and be the best doctors we can be."

Reassured, Ismarie returns to her rounds, feeling stronger with the knowledge that Sean is with her, not just at home but also in the midst of their professional lives. The murmurs of the colleagues become background noise, drowned out by the clarity of their shared purpose and commitment.

At lunch break, Ismarie steps into the cozy, buzzing cafe opposite to the hospital where she's agreed to meet her friends, the scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries fills the air. She spots Maya and Abby already seated at a corner table, their faces lighting up as they see her approaching.

"Finally, the missing bride appears!" Maya exclaims with a wide grin, standing up to pull Ismarie into a tight hug. "It feels like it's been ages since the wedding!"

Abby gets up next, echoing Maya's enthusiasm. "We've missed you! How's married life treating you?" she asks, her tone playful yet genuinely curious.

Ismarie laughs, settling into the chair they've saved for her. "I know, I know, I've been a bit of a hermit. But married life? It’s actually been really wonderful. Sean and I have been getting into the groove of living together, decorating the apartment, starting little projects here and there."

Maya, always the detail-oriented one, leans forward, her interest piqued. "Tell us everything! Any major changes? How’s the decorating going?"

Ismarie dives into the details, sharing how they decided to start a small balcony garden and are experimenting with new recipes every week. "It's these small things, you know? They really make it feel like we’re building a life together."

Abby nods, clearly touched by Ismarie’s happiness. "That sounds so sweet, Ismarie. It’s great to see you so happy and excited about this new chapter. And speaking of new chapters, how are you feeling about the meeting today? Nervous?"

The mention of the meeting brings a slight shift in Ismarie's demeanor; her smile tightens just a bit as the reality of her professional obligations creeps back into the conversation. "A bit nervous, yes. It’s a big opportunity, and I really want to make a good impression."

Maya reaches out, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "You’re going to be amazing, as always. Just show them that brilliant mind of yours and they’ll be falling over themselves to work with you."

Their conversation drifts from personal updates to professional aspirations, weaving the supportive threads of their friendship through every topic. They laugh, share advice, and by the time their coffee cups are empty, Ismarie feels recharged—not just by the caffeine, but by the reaffirming presence of her closest friends. They leave the cafe.

In the brightly lit corridor of the hospital, Ismarie strides confidently towards the staff meeting room, her mind racing with ideas. Today, she plans to propose a new initiative—a weekly interdisciplinary case review meeting that she believes will enhance patient care and foster better collaboration among the departments.

As she enters the room, the buzz of conversation fades, and her colleagues turn to look at her.

The table is crowded with doctors from various specialties, each absorbed in their own concerns and the shuffle of papers and digital devices.

Ismarie takes a deep breath and begins, her voice clear and assertive. "Good Afternoon, everyone. I've been analyzing our patient outcome data and I have a proposal that could potentially improve our interdisciplinary approach and patient satisfaction scores."

She outlines her plan for the new meeting structure, detailing how it could facilitate better communication and problem-solving across departments. She explains how similar programs have succeeded in other hospitals, showing significant improvements in patient outcomes.

As she speaks, she notices the room's energy doesn't shift with her enthusiasm. Her colleagues listen, but their expressions remain neutral, their body language reserved. When she finishes, a heavy silence hangs in the room, punctuated only by the hum of the air conditioning.

Dr. Ellis, a senior surgeon with decades of experience, finally speaks up, his tone polite but noncommittal. "It's an interesting idea, Ismarie, but we're all stretched pretty thin as it is. Adding another meeting might not be feasible with our current caseloads."

Another colleague, Dr. Jensen, a cardiologist, nods in agreement. "The concept is good in theory, but the practical implementation could be more demanding than you anticipate. We need to consider if the benefits would justify the additional time commitment."

Ismarie tries to gauge the room, her heart sinking slightly. "I understand the concerns about time," she replies, "but I believe the long-term gains could significantly outweigh the initial adjustment period. Could we consider a trial period, perhaps?"

The room murmurs, some colleagues exchanging skeptical looks, others showing faint interest. Dr. Ellis sighs, tapping his pen against his notepad. "We'll need to take this to the hospital board for further discussion. It's not something we can decide here."

Frustrated yet resolved, Ismarie nods. "Thank you for considering it. I’ll prepare a detailed report and simulation data to present to the board."

As the meeting wraps up, Ismarie collects her materials, her mind already racing through the next steps she needs to take. She knows the challenge ahead isn't just about proving the worth of her proposal—it's also about navigating the skepticism and inertia that often slow down innovation in large institutions.

As she exits the room, she pauses to catch her breath, allowing herself a moment to process the mixed reactions. She’s not deterred, though; if anything, the meeting has sharpened her resolve. She's used to uphill battles in her career, and she understands that persistence and detailed evidence are her best allies.

On her way back to her office, she makes mental notes on the enhancements needed for her report. She plans to include case studies from other hospitals that have successfully implemented similar changes, anticipating the board's concerns and the need for tangible proof of potential benefits.

Once at her desk, Ismarie opens her laptop and begins outlining the report. She schedules meetings with her team to gather additional data and refine their simulations. She also plans to reach out to a mentor who has navigated similar bureaucratic challenges, hoping for insights that might tilt the scales in her favor at the board meeting.

Determined, Ismarie spends the next few hours immersed in research, her earlier disappointment slowly morphing into a fueled ambition to see her project not just considered, but implemented. As she works, she remains grounded in her belief that the long-term benefits of her proposal will ultimately prove undeniable, ensuring better outcomes for the hospital and its patients.