Chapter 5

The night had been long for many, but for Doctor Williams it had passed like the blink of an eye.

She was already on her way to the hospital, early as usual, though this morning her chest was tight with unease. By the end of the day, she believed, the hospital’s fate would be decided. Though Emilio had assured the Mayeurs were compliant with the agreement, no one knew how the young woman who had been unwittingly inseminated would react.

Only now, as the car rolled toward the hospital gates, did she realize something that struck her like a late blow. She had never even bothered to ask who the patients were. From the moment Emilio delivered the news, she had not wanted to see their names, nor had she glanced at the documents she signed. That detail had felt irrelevant at the time—until now.

After a couple of minutes, the car finally stopped at the hospital’s entrance.

Doctor Williams stepped out, her posture tall, her stride as graceful as ever. Eyes followed her through the corridors. Admiration, yes, but also concern. The staff had heard whispers of what was happening. They feared a scandal was taking root at the heart of Niran-Kai Medical Center.

Yet Williams walked as if nothing could touch her, chin high, until her office door closed behind her. Only then did she exhale. She was concerned—how could she not be?—but she was Doctor Williams. The woman whose name had filled medical journals and newspapers, not only for her daring surgical triumphs but also for her sharp strategies and flawless decision-making. She had always been the calm at the center of the storm.

Settling at her desk, she was interrupted by Malaya entering with her usual precision.

“Good morning, Madam,” Malaya said, placing coffee on the table. “And here is the We Kids project file.”

“Thank you,” Williams replied. Then, after a pause, ” please organize and bring me a copy of all the documents I’ve signed this past month.”

“Yes, Madam.” Malaya inclined her head and slipped out.

Moments later, the door opened again. Emilio entered without knocking, followed by three men in dark suits—the legal representatives of the hospital.

“Doctor Emilio,” Williams breathed, her voice steady.

“Good morning, Doctor Williams,” he said, his face stern. She exchanged a quick smile with the others and gestured for them to sit.

She knew these men well. Their presence meant one thing: serious matters were about to begin.

Mr. Polo, the lead counsel, cleared his throat. “Let’s move straight to the point.” He handed Williams a file. “Regarding reputation, a lawsuit would certainly damage the hospital’s image. Legally, however, since the procedure occurred under your signed approval, the liability lies with Doctor Emilio. He presented the documents with the error—failure to register the rightful names. Your signature, Madam, was on a legally admissible procedure.”

The lawyer’s gaze cut toward Emilio, who kept his eyes lowered.

“But we don’t want a lawsuit,” Williams interrupted, her voice sharp. She cared less about blame than about the storm brewing over her institution.

“Exactly,” Polo said. “That is why we are here—to secure a settlement.”

“Then speak of the settlement. Where do we stand?”

The men exchanged glances before Emilio replied, “They should be arriving soon.”

Williams glanced at the documents, scanning for names, while Emilio still uneased filled the silence.

“The Mayeurs came for IVF. The husband is sterile, but the wife is fertile. All I had to do was fertilize her egg with a donor and reimplant it in her womb.”

“That’s all you had to do,” Williams said dryly, eyes still on the file. “And the other woman?”

“Miss hazel. She came for a regular checkup. Chronic pelvic pain. Nothing more.”

“And yet here we are.” She finally raised her eyes, piercing him with a look. “what I need to know is if you called?”

Before he could answer, Mr. Polo, sensing the tension, intervened. “We have. She was surprisingly understanding. We explained the situation. I believe once she arrives, things can proceed smoothly—though, of course, with a cost.”

“Whatever it costs, get me rid of this,” Williams ordered flatly.

Emilio was hurt. She rarely looked at him now. Her tone cut deep, not only as his superior but as his friend. Yet he understood. She had always demanded perfection, and professional misconduct was a wound she could not forgive.

“We’ll move forward with the settlement,” Mr. Polo said, standing. “Once they arrive, we’ll call you to sign on behalf of the hospital.”

“Thank you.”

They all left, except Emilio, who had more to say. He watched Williams as she buried herself in the papers, but she could feel his gaze pressuring her.

“May I help you?” she finally asked without raising her eyes.

“Williams… can we talk?” His voice was quiet. “Are you angry with me?”

She paused, then lifted her gaze. “Emilio, this is the least of my concerns right now. Apart from the hospital, you should be worried about your career. Before procedures like this, you always meet the patients. How did you confuse them?”

“I’ve had too many interventions. Too many files. I… I failed to meet my own standards,” Emilio stammered.

Williams tilted her head, studying him. “Hmm.”

She wasn’t convinced. But she couldn’t call him a liar either. Still, she felt it in her bones: he was hiding something.

“Well, I should leave you,” Emilio muttered. “Once they arrive, I’ll let you know—or Malaya will.”

He hurried out, his haste confirming her suspicion.

Williams sat back in her chair, eyes narrowing. If Emilio was hiding something… what was it?

She kept staring at the door long after it closed.

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