From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 373

**Title: Her Rise 373**

As Athena crossed the threshold of the hospital, her heart brimmed with an unwavering determination to aid those in distress. She had steeled herself for the inevitable chaos that often accompanied emergency situations, yet nothing could have prepared her for the sight of Elijah. The moment she laid eyes on him, an unexpected jolt coursed through her, a blend of surprise and discomfort that stirred her insides.

Elijah, with his authoritative stance, caught her gaze and immediately addressed her, his voice tinged with urgency. “We have multiple patients in critical condition requiring immediate emergency surgeries. You need to prepare at once.” His words were sharp, devoid of room for negotiation.

Athena felt a tightening knot in her stomach. There was no point in contesting his command; Elijah’s new role as hospital administrator cast a long shadow over her usual autonomy. Swallowing her frustration, she pivoted on her heel, marching toward the preparation area with a fierce sense of purpose.

As she donned her sterile gown, she couldn’t help but notice that Elijah had also suited up, his presence looming closer than she would have liked. A flicker of suspicion crossed her mind—was he merely there to observe, or did he intend to dive into the fray himself? Perhaps, given his recent takeover, he felt compelled to be hands-on, driven by a lack of trust in the staff.

Her thoughts churned with annoyance. She didn’t want to be distracted by his presence, yet a nagging sense of unease clung to her. But she was a professional, and her patients deserved her full attention. With a steely resolve, she strode toward the operating room, pushing aside any lingering doubts.

Once inside, her heart raced at the unexpected sight of Elijah, not as an observer but as her assistant. Without sparing a glance, she commanded, “Hemostat.”

A hand reached out, delivering the instrument, but it was not the familiar, slender hand she was used to. Athena’s movements faltered as she turned her head, her brow furrowing in confusion. There stood Elijah, his expression focused yet surprisingly calm.

Did he truly know what he was doing?

Initially, she had assumed he was merely there to watch the procedure unfold, yet now he was actively engaged. Her instincts kicked in, heightening her awareness as she prepared for any potential mishaps. She had anticipated complications, bracing herself for the worst. Yet, to her astonishment, Elijah handed her each tool with remarkable precision, making no mistakes. Was it possible that he genuinely possessed the skills required for this?

Curiosity began to seep into her concentration, and she stole glances at him as they worked side by side. Their movements started to synchronize, an unspoken understanding blossoming between them despite her initial hesitations.

Outside the operating room, a figure lingered, peering through the glass at the unfolding scene. It was Maya. She had arrived to lend a hand amid the chaos, but upon spotting Elijah beside Athena, her heart sank.

He’s in there too?

Maya’s thoughts spiraled back to the earlier confrontation between Zaden and Elijah. She knew Zaden would be furious about Elijah’s presence, and here he was, seamlessly working alongside Athena. The two appeared to flow together effortlessly, as if they had been a surgical team for years.

Maya’s concern deepened. If she captured this moment and showed it to Zaden, would he dismiss it as a mere coincidence? Or would he perceive it as a troubling pattern? Trust was a delicate thread, and she felt a pang of protectiveness for her friend.

With a swift motion, Maya retrieved her phone, snapping a photo just as Elijah reached out to hand an instrument to Athena. Their hands brushed against each other, a fleeting moment that spoke volumes. The image froze in time, encapsulating a sense of intimacy that felt far too familiar.

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