Finally, he lifts his eyes to mine.They’re cold but controlled.Like he’s already decided I’m guilty of something and is just waiting for me to confirm it.That look used to terrify me as a kid.Now it just makes me angry.“You know how this makes me look?”
I blink.“Excuse me?”
He doesn’t raise his voice, but it hits harder because of it.“People are already questioning whether you earned this position or if I handed it to you.Now there’s an article implying inappropriate conduct with your attending.Do you understand what that does to my credibility?To this hospital?”
Heat crawls up my neck.Of course this isn’t about me or my reputation.It’s about him.“That’s not what it says.”
“Regan,” he snaps.“It implies.And implication is enough.I’ve already had two board members ask if I’m showing favoritism.”
“This isn’t my fault.”
He scoffs.“You’re in the headline, Regan.That makes it your responsibility.This is exactly what I was afraid of when you came back.”
Pulse pounding, I sit up straighter.“I came back to do my residency.That’s all.I don’t care about gossip, I don’t flirt with anyone, and I’m not dating anyone in this hospital.”
His eyes narrow.“Good.Because you’re not allowed to.”
I’m caught between disbelief and offense.“You’re serious?”
He nods once.“Dead serious.You want to prove yourself here?Fine.But you’re not going to do it with distractions.Especially not involving Brant Harrison.”
I freeze at the sound of his name.He’s talking to me like I’m a teenager and was caught sneaking around, not a doctor who just spent years earning her degree.The humiliation burns in my throat.
Dad notices.“You think I don’t see the way he looks at you?You’re not a teenager anymore, Regan.You know exactly what that kind of attention means.”
“I’m not interested in Harrison,” I snap.“This whole thing, whatever it is, it’s people projecting their fantasies onto a disagreement about a patient.”
“Then keep things professional,” he says.“Harrison’s your supervisor for a reason—he’s one of the best we have, and you need to learn from him.But that’s where it ends.No coffee breaks, no personal conversations.Don’t give anyone ammunition for more gossip.”
My hands twist in my lap.“So you want me to work with him, but also avoid him?How exactly does that work?”
“You’re smart enough to figure it out,” he says coldly.“Because I won’t let this derail your career.Or mine.”
I stand slowly.“Right.Your career.That’s what really matters here, isn’t it?”
His nostrils flare with a deep breath, but he says nothing.
I don’t wait for permission to leave.
I walk out, keeping my spine straight, even though my hands shake at my sides.The article, the whispers, the warning.I don’t care what people think.I didn’t come back here to play anyone’s game.
I came here to be a doctor.
And no one’s going to stop me.Not even Harrison.
My dad has it all wrong.The only thing in Harrison’s eyes when he looks at me is annoyance, like I’m something he can’t wait to get rid of.
Chapter 9
Brant
Myhandhoversjustinches from Dr.Thomas’s office door when his voice blasts through it.
“Because I won’t let this derail your career.Or mine.”
I freeze.The tone alone is enough to turn my spine to ice.His words sink in, heavy and hard.He's talking to her.Regan.
My grip curls into a fist.
