“That must be strange,” one of the other residents—Dr. Amin—said quietly beside Evie.
Evie glanced at her. “What?”
“Seeing Dr. Laurel around. After everything.”
Evie kept her voice neutral. “We’re both professionals. We can handle it.”
They continued rounds, but Evie felt the weight of it—the way people were watching her, waiting to see how she’d react to Maggie’s return. Looking for drama, for tension, for something to gossip about.
She refused to give it to them.
At 2 PM, Evie was paged to Dr. Chen’s office.
Her stomach dropped. This was it—the official follow-up, the formalization of the six-month restriction.
She knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Chen called.
Evie stepped inside to find Dr. Chen behind her desk, looking professional but not unkind.
“Doctor Brooks, thank you for coming. Please, sit.”
Evie sat, hands folded in her lap, trying not to look as nervous as she felt.
“I wanted to touch base with you now that Doctor Laurel has returned,” Chen began. “As you’re aware, the Medical Review Committee has imposed certain restrictions.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“For the next six months, you will remain on Doctor Patel’s service. Doctor Laurel is not permitted to supervise you directly in any capacity. You will attend separate conferences, separate teaching rounds. If you find yourselves assigned to the same patient, appropriate oversight will be provided.”
Evie nodded. “I understand.”
“I also want to be clear,” Chen continued, her voice gentler now, “that this is not a punishment for you. Your record here is excellent. Doctor Patel has nothing but praise for your work. This restriction exists to eliminate any appearance of impropriety or favoritism. Do you understand the distinction?”
“Yes,” Evie said. “I do.”
Chen leaned back in her chair, studying her. “How are you doing, Doctor Brooks? Really?”
The question surprised her. “I’m... managing.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Evie considered her words carefully. “It’s hard. Seeing her at the hospital and having to maintain distance. But I understandwhy it’s necessary. And I’m committed to proving that my competence stands on its own merit, not on any relationship I may or may not have with Doctor Laurel.”
“May or may not?” Chen raised an eyebrow.
Evie met her gaze steadily. “With respect, Doctor Chen, I don’t think my personal life outside of work is relevant to this conversation.”
Something that might have been approval flickered across Chen’s face. “Fair enough. Just know that if you experience any difficulties—professional difficulties—during this transition period, my door is open.”
“Thank you.”
She left the office feeling oddly lighter. The restriction was official now—six months on separate services, no direct supervision, careful professional distance.
But she’d survived the conversation. And Chen hadn’t seemed hostile, just thorough.
They could do this. She could do this.
