Chapter 4: A Needed Escape
The relentless rhythm of the hospital’s daily chaos felt more oppressive than usual as Miguel and Aubree Ramirez moved through their shifts. Every glance from a colleague, every murmur from the nurses, seemed to carry an unspoken question: How much longer until the storm breaks? The shadow of Clayton De Luca’s wrath hung over them like a dark cloud, threatening to burst at any moment.
Miguel was in the middle of a routine patient check-up when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Glancing at the screen, he saw that it was Dr. Sinclair. He quickly wrapped up with the patient, reassuring them with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, and stepped into an empty corridor to take the call.
"Dr. Sinclair, what’s up?" Miguel greeted, trying to mask his weariness.
"Miguel, I need you and Aubree in my office immediately," came Sinclair’s terse reply.
Miguel’s heart skipped a beat.
"Is something wrong?"
"I’ll explain when you’re here," Sinclair said before the line went dead.
Miguel’s stomach churned with anxiety as he hurried toward the administrative wing of the hospital, thoughts racing with all the worst-case scenarios. When he reached Sinclair’s office, Aubree was already there, looking equally tense. They exchanged a worried glance as Miguel entered.
Dr. Sinclair stood by the window, his face lined with stress. He gestured for them to sit down, his expression unreadable.
"Thank you for coming," he began, his voice unusually serious.
"What’s going on?" Aubree asked, her nerves evident in the tightness of her voice.
Sinclair sighed, turning to face them.
"I’ve been talking with the board, and we’ve come to a decision. This situation with Clayton De Luca it’s not going away. And frankly, the stress and fear you’re both under… it’s not sustainable."
Miguel’s heart sank further.
"Are you saying we’re suspended?" he asked, a knot forming in his stomach.
Sinclair shook his head. "No, not suspended. But you both need a break. A real one. The board agrees that for your safety and mental well-being, you should step away from the hospital for a while. Take some time to recharge, clear your heads, and come back when things have settled down."
Aubree looked at Miguel, her eyes wide with surprise.
"But… we can’t just leave. What about our patients? Our responsibilities?"
"Miguel, Aubree," Sinclair interrupted gently, "you’re some of the best doctors we have. But you’re also human. And right now, you’re both under an enormous amount of stress. The last thing we want is for you to burn out or worse, for something to happen to you because of this situation."
Miguel ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts a jumble of resistance and reluctant agreement.
"Where would we even go?" he asked, still trying to process the idea of leaving.
Sinclair reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small brochure, sliding it across the desk to them. The cover featured a stunning image of a tropical island, with crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches.
"This is one of our board members’ private retreats. It’s a remote island, far from the mainland, and only accessible by boat. No one will be able to find you there unless you want them to. It’s the perfect place to decompress."
Aubree picked up the brochure, her eyes scanning the images. The idea of being far away from everything, from the hospital, from Clayton De Luca’s looming threats, was both terrifying and tempting.
"How long would we be gone?" she asked, her voice soft.
"Two weeks, maybe more," Sinclair replied. "Take as much time as you need. The hospital will be here when you’re ready to return."
Miguel leaned back in his chair, his mind whirling. The idea of leaving felt like running away, but deep down, he knew Sinclair was right. The stress was eating away at them, and they couldn’t keep living under this constant fear.
"What do you think?" he asked Aubree, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Aubree looked at him, her expression conflicted.
"I think… I think we need this, Miguel. We can’t keep going like this. Maybe getting away is exactly what we need."
Miguel studied her face, seeing the exhaustion in her eyes, the tension in her shoulders. He knew she was right knew that they both needed to step back before the weight of everything crushed them. Finally, he nodded, reaching for her hand.
"Okay. Let’s do it."
Sinclair smiled, relief washing over his features.
"Good. I’ll arrange everything. You can leave as soon as tomorrow."
---
The next day, Miguel and Aubree found themselves standing on the deck of a sleek private boat, watching as the hospital and the city faded into the distance. The water around them was a brilliant shade of turquoise, shimmering under the midday sun. The island that was their destination loomed ahead, a lush green oasis in the middle of the endless sea.
Aubree leaned against the railing, the wind whipping through her hair, as she took in the breathtaking view.
"It’s beautiful," she murmured, her voice tinged with awe.
Miguel wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close as they watched the island grow nearer.
"It is," he agreed, feeling some of the tension in his chest begin to ease for the first time in weeks.
As the boat docked at a small wooden pier, they were greeted by the island’s caretaker, a kind looking woman named Lydia, who welcomed them with a warm smile.
"Dr. Ramirez, Dr. Ramirez, welcome to Serenity Isle," she said, her voice as soothing as the gentle waves lapping at the shore.
"I hope you find everything to your liking. The villa is ready for you."
"Thank you, Lydia," Aubree replied, returning the smile.
"It’s already perfect."
Lydia led them along a winding path that cut through the dense, vibrant foliage of the island’s interior. The air was filled with the scent of tropical flowers, and the sound of birds chirping in the trees was a far cry from the constant beeping and bustling of the hospital. Aubree felt herself relaxing with each step, the stress and fear of the past weeks slowly ebbing away.
When they reached the villa, Miguel and Aubree couldn’t help but gasp at the sight before them. The villa was a stunning, open-concept structure with large windows that offered panoramic views of the ocean. The interior was tastefully decorated in soothing shades of blue and white, with plush furniture and modern amenities that promised comfort and relaxation. The back of the villa opened onto a private beach, where the soft, white sand met the clear, calm waters of the ocean.
"This is incredible," Miguel said, his voice filled with amazement. "I can’t believe this place exists."
"It’s like a dream," Aubree agreed, her eyes wide as she took in the beauty around her. For the first time in a long while, she felt a genuine smile tug at the corners of her lips. "I think we might actually be able to relax here."
Lydia showed them around the villa, pointing out the kitchen, the spacious living area, and the luxurious bedroom with its king-sized bed draped in crisp, white linens. "You’ll find everything you need here," she said as she finished the tour. "If you require anything, just let me know. Otherwise, I’ll leave you to enjoy your privacy."
"Thank you, Lydia," Miguel said, shaking her hand. "We really appreciate everything."
Lydia smiled and left them to settle in. Miguel and Aubree stood in the middle of the living room for a moment, taking in the serenity that surrounded them. It was hard to believe they were the same couple who, just a day ago, had been drowning in fear and uncertainty.
Aubree walked over to the large sliding glass doors that opened onto the beach, pushing them open to let in the warm, salty breeze. She stepped out onto the sand, the soft grains sinking between her toes as she took a deep breath of the fresh ocean air. "This is exactly what we needed," she said, turning to look at Miguel, who had followed her outside.
Miguel nodded, his heart swelling with gratitude that they had this opportunity. "I think so too," he agreed, taking her hand as they walked along the shore. The gentle waves lapped at their feet, the water cool and refreshing against their skin. "Maybe we can finally forget about everything for a little while. Just focus on us."
Aubree smiled up at him, her eyes reflecting the sunlight as she squeezed his hand. "I’d like that," she said softly. "It feels like we haven’t really been able to just *be* together in so long. Between the hospital and… everything else, I miss us."
Miguel stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression tender. "I miss us too," he said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Let’s make a promise while we’re here, no talking about the hospital, no worrying about what’s happening back home. We focus on us, on enjoying this time together."
Aubree’s smile widened, and she nodded. "Deal," she agreed, standing on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips.
The days on Serenity Isle passed in a blissful blur of relaxation and reconnection. Miguel and Aubree spent their mornings lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun’s warmth and letting the sound of the ocean wash away their worries.