It’s another busy morning at the hospital, and you’re rounding with Amelia and a few other doctors. The attending today is Derek Shepherd, her older brother. Known for his brilliance and intensity, Derek is also intimidating, especially when he’s in a critical mood.

As you assist with a procedure, Derek questions a decision you made regarding a patient’s care. You’d opted for a more conservative approach, but Derek immediately shoots it down.

“You should’ve gone with a more aggressive treatment,” Derek says, his tone sharp. “You need to trust your instincts more if you want to thrive here.”

The room falls silent as your face flushes. You attempt to explain, but Derek cuts you off, dismissing your reasoning like it’s irrelevant.

“Don’t overthink it,” Derek mutters, moving on, leaving you feeling small and out of place.

Before you can process it, Amelia steps in, her usual calm demeanor hardening into something firmer.

“Derek, that’s enough,” she says, her voice authoritative.

The team turns to look as Amelia faces her brother. “You weren’t in the OR when that decision was made. I was. And I trust her judgment. You can’t keep undermining her. She’s here to learn.”

Derek tries to argue but Amelia holds her ground. “She’s doing exactly what she should be doing—making decisions and standing by them. Let her do her job.”

You can’t believe it—Amelia, standing up for you, in front of her brother. A rush of gratitude and something else flutters in your chest, and before you can stop it, your cheeks warm with a blush.

Amelia notices immediately, her eyes flicking to your face with a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “You okay there?” she asks, her voice softer now. “You’re looking a little red.”