“I’m finishing my shift,” I say calmly. “We can discuss the legality of permanent schedule changes tomorrow. With HR.”
I take great pleasure in watching Murphy’s confident expression flicker.
“Of course,” he says coolly. “If you feel that’s necessary.”
“Oh, I do,” I reply, stepping past him. “But don’t worry, I won’t leave mid-shift. Wouldn’t want to… ‘play wife.’”
His jaw clicks.
I walk straight back into the ER. If I wasn’t sure about going nuclear before, I am now.
Patrick
“Hey, everything ok?” I ask when I hear her walking down the stairs. Lore appears in her robe, hair loose around her shoulders.
“Yeah,” she sighs, holding her phone. “I just don’t like sending emails on my phone.”
I smirk. “I’m proud of you.”
She gives me a tired but genuine smile. “I really didn’t think I’d have to stand up to a bully at this age.”
I grab the plates from the counter and set them on the table. I’m glad she finally told me what’s really going on at work. If I didn’t think she’d hate me for it, I’d storm in and give that douche something to cry about. “Bullies don’t seem to care about age now.”
Pulling her chair out, she sits and says, “I saw your press conference.”
I sit down too, remembering how stiff I felt at that podium, how unnatural it still feels to answer questions on camera. “Thank god, that’s over.”
Lore laughs softly. “You’ve done it so many times.”
I shrug. “Still can’t get used to being on TV.”
She smiles at me, bright and warm. “You looked very pretty.”
I cut into my steak and reply, “Why thank you.”
After I swallow my bite, I sit back a little. “I read your letter.”
Lore pauses, her fork hovering over her plate. “Oh.”
“I read it in my office after the press conference,” I say quietly. I can still remember every word. I had no idea she felt that way about me.
She doesn’t look up, but her shoulders tighten, just slightly.
“I’m not better than you,” I add. “Not then. Not now.”
She lets out a tiny sound, something between a breath and a hum, “well you think I deserve better so...”
“I’m serious,” I say, meeting her eyes even though my throat feels tight. “If anything… you’re better than me. Lore, I respected the hell out of you for taking care of Genesis after your parents died. Christ, you still managed to become a doctor. I know the kind of guts that takes.”
She doesn’t say anything, but her hand flips under mine, her index finger brushing slowly along my wrist.
I take a breath. “I asked to take a step back because-” I look away. My jaw locks. “You remember my accident?”
She nods, brows pressed together.
“It wasn’t an accident,” I admit quietly. “I got jumped.”
Her eyes widen. “By who?”
