"I will take my leave now, Doctor Robert," Claudine said, her voice flat and professional, betraying none of the tension that had just occurred.
"Yes, Claudine, thank you," Robert replied without looking up, his focus returning to the medical list he had just received, which he then placed into a locked desk drawer.
In the final seconds before Claudine turned to leave, their eyes met again. It was a brief but intense exchange of glances. Leah forced a thin smile, a smile that required immense strength to appear casual, even though her chest was thundering with repressed, suffocating relief. Claudine reciprocated with a micro-wrinkle at the corner of her eyes before stepping out.
"Okay, how can I help you, Miss Etmand?" Robert asked, looking back at Leah professionally.
