The alarm buzzed through the quiet morning, loud and cruel against the stillness. Katriel groaned, rolled over and slammed her hand down on the phone to silence it. The room fell silent again but her thoughts refused to.
She blinked up at the ceiling, eyes dry and open but inside she felt heavy as if her chest had turned to stone overnight. Tears began to form anyway, tracing slow lines down her cheeks.
Why did I trust Trez?
The question burned. No matter how many times she asked it, the answer never came. Trez had been everything -charming, confident, endlessly attentive. The kind of man who made love sound certain. But last night had torn away every illusion. His lies had come crashing down, leaving only silence where promises used to live.
Her phone vibrated suddenly. Through blurry eyes, she saw the name flashing: Gracious.
Katriel took a deep breath before answering. "Hey…"
"Hey, wake up, nuthead!" Gracious said, laughing -the sound bright and familiar.
Katriel tried to reply but her voice caught. A broken sob slipped through instead.
"Hey, hey, Smiley what's wrong?" Gracious's tone changed instantly.
Katriel covered her mouth but she couldn't hold it back anymore.
"Okay, that's it," Gracious said. "I'm coming right now."
Fifteen minutes later, the door opened and Gracious hurried in, still in her hoodie and flip-flops. She didn't say anything at first just sat on the bed and pulled Katriel into a hug.
"Shh… breathe," she whispered. "You're safe. I've got you."
Katriel melted into her, crying until her body trembled.
When the sobs finally eased, Gracious handed her a glass of water. "Here, drink."
Katriel sipped slowly, her hand shaking.
"Now tell me what's going on before I explode," Gracious said softly.
Katriel stared at the floor, voice trembling. "It's Trez. He's been cheating on me for months. I found out last night."
Gracious's eyes darkened. "That worthless idiot. I knew there was something off about him."
Katriel laughed weakly through tears. "You said that the day I introduced him."
"And I was right," Gracious said. "But you? You did nothing wrong. You loved someone honestly and that's never a mistake."
Katriel nodded, her chest tightening again but this time with gratitude.
Then both their phones buzzed at the same time. Gracious frowned and checked hers.
Important Notice: Health Department Staff Event -Introduction of New Senior Staff Member. Attendance Required at 10:00 AM.
Gracious groaned. "Can't they postpone it? Your heart just shattered like ten hours ago."
Katriel smiled faintly. "Work doesn't care about heartbreak, Grace."
They got ready quietly -hair tied back, ID badges clipped neatly. Gracious tried to keep the mood light, joking about their director's obsession with punctuality. Katriel even managed a small laugh before they left.
In the hallway, she paused for a second in front of her neighbor's door. Abby's door.
They had met just the day before, when he'd moved in next door (polite, kind, the kind of person who seemed to bring calm with him).She remembered his smile, his gentle tone when he'd said, "If you ever need anything, just knock. I'm usually around."
The thought warmed her for a moment before the weight of the morning pressed back in. She shook it off and followed Gracious downstairs.
By the time they reached the hospital, the corridors were alive with chatter and movement. Nurses darted between wards, doctors compared schedules and the smell of disinfectant mingled with fresh coffee. Katriel clutched her folder, forcing herself to focus on work.
They entered the main hall, where the entire department had gathered. A large banner read: Welcome to the New Senior Staff Member - Health Department.
Gracious leaned closer and whispered, "I swear, if it's another old consultant who likes to hear himself talk, I'm walking out."
Katriel smiled, a real one this time. "Behave."
The director stepped up to the podium, beaming. "Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us. Today, we welcome a new senior member to our department- a highly respected cardiologist who brings great experience and leadership to our hospital."
Katriel's heart skipped. Cardiologist?
The director continued, "Please welcome Dr. Abby Moore, our new Senior Consultant in Cardiology."
The director continued, "He recently transferred from the capital hospital and brings with him a wealth of knowledge in Cardiac issues. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Abby Moore, our new Senior Consultant in Cardiology."
Katriel's breath caught.
The crowd applauded as a familiar figure walked onto the stage -tall, composed, with that same calm presence she'd noticed yesterday in the apartment hallway. Abby-Her neighbor.
Gracious leaned closer, eyes wide. "Wait. Is that…?"
Katriel nodded, stunned. "Yeah. That's my next-door neighbor."
Abby looked out over the crowd, his expression professional yet warm. His gaze drifted briefly and found her. Recognition flickered in his eyes followed by a small, knowing smile.
"Good morning," he began. His voice was steady, confident, the same voice that had seemed so gentle yesterday. "It's an honor to join this incredible team. I look forward to working alongside all of you."
Katriel's pulse quickened. She felt her heart stir not in the way it had with Trez, full of fireworks and chaos but in a quieter, steadier rhythm.
As the applause faded, Gracious nudged her playfully. "Well, well. Looks like you've got a Cardiologist neighbor and a new coworker. Talk about destiny having a sense of humor."
Katriel rolled her eyes but a shy smile tugged at her lips. "Don't start."
Gracious smirked. "Oh, I'm definitely starting."
When the event ended, Abby crossed the room to speak with a few doctors, but as he turned to leave, his eyes met hers again. He gave a small nod not a greeting, but an acknowledgment as if to say I remember you.
Katriel felt a quiet calm wash over her. The pain from last night was still there, but dulled -softened somehow by the simple kindness in that smile.
Gracious looped her arm through Katriel's. "Come on, Smiley. Let's grab coffee. You've had one hell of a day."
Katriel laughed softly. "Yeah… but maybe it's finally getting better."
As they walked toward the cafeteria, she glanced back once more just in time to see Abby looking her way again. And for the first time since her heartbreak, Katriel felt something she hadn't felt in a long time.