Rosa Wilhelm was twenty-five, and most people who met her said she didn't act her age. It wasn't because she was serious or boring, but because life pushed her to grow up early. Her father died when she was nine, leaving her mother to take care of her alone. Since then, Rosa watched her mother work endlessly, sometimes coming home tired, sometimes sacrificing her needs so Rosa wouldn't lack anything.
Rosa never forgot those sacrifices. Somewhere along the way, she decided that studying was the only way she could repay her mother. And once she made that decision, she never looked back. She worked hard, stayed top of her class, and became the kind of student teachers used as examples for other students.
By the time she started working at Safeway Hospital, she rapidly began building a reputation for herself due to her expertise. Her fame skyrocketed when she successfully operated on a relative of a famous blogger, Celeste Willy. In appreciation, Celeste wrote about the surgery, addressing Rosa as "The Healing Star," and the nickname spread like wildfire. Soon, patients started traveling from far and wide just to meet her.
To the public, she was a star. But to Rosa, she was just a tired young doctor with permanent dark circles around her eyes.
One slow Thursday afternoon, Rosa was trying to finish a file in her office when she heard a knock.
"Come in," she said.
Maggie, the director's secretary, peeked her blonde head inside. "Um… Dr. Rosa? Dr. Johnson wants to see you."
"Thanks, Maggie. I'll be there soon."
Maggie nodded twice and left.
Rosa sighed, got up, and walked down the hall. She already had a small guess about why Dr. Johnson wanted her. He only called her when he needed something big or something he didn't want to handle himself.
---
Dr. Johnson's office was neat, bright, and cold enough to make someone shiver. He looked up immediately when she entered and gave her a polite smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Ah, Dr. Wilhelm. Please, sit."
Rosa sat. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, yes." He rubbed his hands together as if preparing for a speech. "I hope your week has been smooth?"
"It's been alright."
"Good, good." He nodded too quickly. "I'll go straight to the point. There is an important surgery scheduled for next week, and I want you to take it."
Rosa blinked. "Next week?"
"Yes."
She stared at him quietly. Next week was supposed to be her break. She planned to rest, sleep, and maybe double up on skincare. The last thing she wanted was another long, risky surgery.
"Sir," she began carefully, "I was hoping to use next week to rest."
"Oh, absolutely! You deserve it," he said instantly. "You've worked very hard. No one denies that."
He paused, then lowered his voice. "But this case is… special. The patient chose our hospital." His smile stretched wider. "In fact, she chose you."
Rosa raised an eyebrow.
Of course. This wasn't anything new—she got requests like this all the time. High-profile clients, private surgeries… everyone wanted her on their cases. Her reputation had its perks, but it also came with a lot of pressure.
"Let me at least see the file first," she said.
"Of course!" He slid a white folder toward her with both hands, like it was a gift. "Pleaee don't feel pressured and take your time."
Then he added lightly, "But a quick response will help us prepare."
There it was…the real message behind the politeness.
His eyes flickered, nervous but calculating, and Rosa understood. He didn't want her to quit Safeway hospital. She brought too much attention, too many successful cases, too many impressed donors. But he also didn't like how much power her fame gave her. It made a proud man like him too careful and polite around her.
"Thank you, sir," she said simply.
He stood and followed her to the door. "I believe in you, Dr. Wilhelm. Truly."
She didn't respond. She just stepped out and shut the door.
---
Back in her office, Rosa opened the file. She skimmed the first few pages easily, checking the vitals, the diagnosis, and the proposed surgery plan.
Then her eyes stopped at one name.
She froze.
Then, she leaned closer and read it again.
"Celeste… Willy?"
Her heart dropped.
Celeste Willy.
The same Celeste, the famous blogger with millions of followers.
The same Celeste who gave her the nickname that gave her career a big headstart.
The same Celeste who was engaged to Damien Lockwood, the well-known CEO of Locke Tech.
Their engagement had practically broken the internet. Everyone adored them. They were rich, beautiful, successful, and always smiling for the cameras. People called them "The Couple of the Century."
Rosa stared at the file, speechless.
"Why her?" she whispered.
If she accepted this surgery, the whole country would be watching. If anything went wrong, it would destroy her career, even if it wasn't her fault. There would be public outrage, headlines, accusations.
Her stomach tightened at the thought.
And then she remembered something else.
"Tania is going to lose her mind," she muttered.
Her best friend, Tania, was Celeste's biggest fan. She followed all her social media accounts. She watched all her vlogs. She once cried because Celeste replied "thank you 💗" to her comment.
Rosa sighed loudly and leaned back on her chair.
She had never lost a patient. Not once. But this surgery was different. The pressure was different. The attention was different.
"Can I really do this?" she whispered.
Her office suddenly felt too quiet.
Rosa stared at Celeste's name again, and for the first time in her career, doubt formed a tight knot in her chest.
This wasn't just another surgery.
This was a turning point, one that could either elevate her career to unbelievable heights…
…or ruin everything she had worked for.
And Rosa wasn't sure which outcome scared her more.