Chapter 3

3.

At the mention of my name, Shawn's perfect smile faltered for a second.

Chloe immediately tightened her grip on his arm and laughed lightly. "Oh, please. High school sweethearts? How often do those really last? Shawn and I are a much better match―we truly understand each other's ambitions."

The crowd chuckled along with her.

I stood by the buffet, quietly slicing a piece of steak. After the intense surgery, I hadn't eaten in twenty-four hours.

"Sarah? Is that you?"

A voice spoke up behind me. I turned and saw Jessica, a teammate from the track team.

"Wow, it really is you!" She gave me a hug. "You look beat. Still at Mount Sinai?"

"Yeah, cardiothoracic surgery."

"That's incredible. Didn't I hear your team's breakthrough in heart transplants was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association last year?"

I nodded. "It was a team effort."

As we were talking, Chloe walked over, a perfect smile plastered on her face.

"Sarah! Long time no see!" Her tone was warm, but her eyes were scanning my outfit from top to bottom. "Did you… just come from the hospital?"

"I just finished a surgery," I answered calmly.

"Oh, that must be so tough." Her smile widened, now with a hint of condescension. "But since you came, you probably should have dressed up a little? This is a semi-formal event."

People around us exchanged glances and started whispering.

Chloe paused, then made her tone even more "concerned." "You look so exhausted. Hospital work must be so draining. I know a few girls who switched from clinical practice to being medical beauty consultants. The pay isn't amazing, but at least you can afford nice things, and the environment is… cleaner than a hospital, you know? I could introduce you if you're interested."

I put down my fork and knife and looked her straight in the eye. "I'm a cardiothoracic attending physician. Last year, I was the lead surgeon on 47 operations. I don't need your career advice."

"Chloe," Jessica cut in, unable to hold back. "Sarah is an attending at Mount Sinai. Cardiothoracic surgery. You know that's one of the most competitive specialties in the country, right?"