“Pull the audio,” she said firmly.
“You can’t be serious.”
“I am. You don’t have my permission to use that audio. If you still want to continue with the show, great. If not, that’s your decision.”
“Then the show is off.”
Zoe lifted her chin. She wasn’t going to let this shake her. “Fine.”
The producers stared at her for a long moment, then the lead threw up his hands and stormed out of the room. The others followed. Once she was alone, Zoe sank onto the exam table, the paper crinkling beneath her, and took a long, slow breath. Her career would suffer because of this, but she was still certain she’d made the right decision.
After taking a few moments to gather herself, Zoe left the exam room and slipped out the back entrance. She walked back to her B&B, smiling at the kids on bikes and an elderly couple she’d met in Nathan’s office, and went to her room. She needed to pack. There was no reason to stay in Islingburn anymore — there wasn’t going to be a show, and Nathan didn’t want to talk to heranymore. She'd go back to New York, spill the whole sad story to Katherine, and start putting her life back together.
And she’d book an OB appointment.
Maybe, now that the show was off, Nathan would eventually reach out and ask to play a role in the baby’s life. Zoe hoped so. But she wasn’t going to push him — it wouldn’t help. He’d been clear that he was done with her, and he’d had every opportunity to say something,anything,about the baby. He hadn’t.
CHAPTER 26
NATHAN
Nathan stared as the producers emerged from the hallway that led to the exam rooms. All three looked furious. One of them waved his hand at the cameramen and sound guys.
“We’re leaving. Pack up.”
Nathan hurried over, disbelieving. “What do you mean, you’re leaving? Are we delaying the shoot?”
“No, the show’s off.” The producer shook his head. Nathan blinked. His first thought was one of relief — not having to do the show was wonderful news. When he’d planned a heartwarming and educational show about small-town life and the importance of his work, he’d been almost excited, but now that the show had turned into a scandalous drama that would ruin his reputation and possibly his career, not doing it was a huge relief.
His second thought was about Zoe. This would most likely ruin her career — she’d be crushed. She’d worked so hard on this show, and now it was falling apart.
It doesn’t matter,Nathan told himself firmly.I can’t trust her.
“The show is off?” Nathan repeated.
“That’s what I said.” The producer practically rolled his eyes. “And you can thank Ms. Devine for that.”
With that, he stormed out of the waiting room. The camera crew slowly followed, carrying their equipment. A few sent Nathan apologetic looks. Within minutes, the clinic only held patients and Nathan’s staff. It was as though the show had never happened.
“What’s up, Doc?” one patient asked.
“It looks like we’ve had a change of plans,” Nathan said, smiling. “But don’t worry, you’ll still get the medical care you need. Just give me a moment.”
He left the waiting room and strode to his office, where he collapsed into his desk chair and set his glasses on the desk. The producer had said he had Zoe to thank for the show being canceled. She’d promised to get the pregnancy reveal pulled, and this must have been the only way to do it.
She’d sacrificed her career and the show she’d worked so hard on to prioritize his privacy and his career.
Nathan’s head began to ache. Zoe had been doing everything she could to fix her mistake (which was at least as much Nathan’s fault as hers — he was the one who should have turned off his mic) while he’d been furious with her. He’d treated her terribly, all because he’d thought he couldn’t trust her. All she’d really done, though, was tell one small lie about her previous qualifications almost two months ago, a lie that didn’t really matter. After all, she was clearly great at her job, whether or not she’d worked with doctors before.
Nathan rested his head in his hands, rubbing his temples against a sudden headache. Zoe had told him she was pregnant, and he hadn’t even said anything. He’d been so overwhelmed by the sudden pregnancy reveal, and that all their future viewers would know about it, that he hadn’t been able to form a rational thought.
Now that the show was gone and he had a little space to think, Nathan felt truly awful. He’d pushed Zoe away and been cold to her, all while she’d been trying to help him. Yes, she’d lied, but he’d never even stopped to hear her explanation. He’d been so certain that she’d been using him the whole time.
Now, it was clear she hadn’t been, or she never would have sacrificed her show for him.
There was a knock on the door.
“Just a minute!” Nathan called. He couldn’t see a patient right now, not when he felt this awful.
