“The swelling’s gone down,” he observed. “Another few days of rest and it’ll be fine.”
Then his gaze shifted to her phone.
“Who were you speaking to?” he asked lightly. “You sounded pretty relaxed.”
Adriana tightened her grip on the device.
If he had looked closely, he would have noticed the dark screen—no call in progress.
“Dr. Donovan,” she replied smoothly. “Everyone’s been talking about the overseas relief program. He was asking if you’d heard any updates.”
Nathanie nodded, not questioning her.
The program had indeed been a frequent topic at the infirmary. The initial volunteer numbers hadn’t met the quota, so the application window had been extended.
“It’s not a short deployment,” he said thoughtfully. “But it’s useful for wolves who need credentials. Returning with international experience makes them stand out.”
Adriana listened quietly, her heart steady despite the tension building inside her.
“And what do you think?” she asked carefully.
He didn’t hesitate.
“You don’t need it,” he said flatly. “By the time you’d finish a term abroad, I could’ve already secured a higher position for you here.”
There it was.
The refusal she had expected.
She exhaled softly, lowering her gaze.
Of course.