“It will be.”
Maggie stood. Paused at the door. “Patricia?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. For not just firing me outright.”
Chen’s expression was complicated. “I don’t think you’re a predator, Maggie. I think you’re human. But being human doesn’t exempt you from consequences.” She paused. “It just means I’m willing to fight for you to survive them.”
Maggie found Evie in the resident lounge at 11 AM, eating lunch alone while reviewing notes on her tablet.
“Can we talk?” Maggie said from the doorway.
Evie looked up. Saw something in Maggie’s face that made her set down her fork. “What happened?”
“Not here. My office. Five minutes.”
Evie didn’t argue.
When she arrived, Maggie was standing at the window, back to the door. The transfer request was open on her laptop screen.
“Close the door,” Maggie said without turning.
Evie did. “Maggie, you’re scaring me.”
Maggie finally faced her. “I’m requesting your transfer to Doctor Patel’s service. Effective immediately.”
The words hit the room like a physical force.
Evie’s face went pale. “What?”
“The committee has badge swipes showing us entering the on-call room together. Security footage of us leaving the room together. A witness statement from someone who saw us.”
“So you’re throwing me off your service?”
“I’m protecting you?—”
“Bullshit.” Evie’s voice cracked. “You’re protecting yourself.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Isn’t it?” Evie stepped closer. “You didn’t even ask me. You just decided—again—what’s best for me without giving me a say.”
“There is no say in this, Evie! The committee meeting is Monday. I need to show them I’m taking this seriously. That I understand appropriate boundaries?—”
“By getting rid of me?”
“By creating professional distance!” Maggie’s control slipped. “By doing what I should have done weeks ago before any of this happened!”
“So you regret it.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“Then what are you saying?” Evie demanded. “Because from where I’m standing, it sounds like you’re saying I was a mistake you’re now trying to correct.”
Maggie closed her eyes. “You’re not a mistake.”
“Then stop treating me like one.”
