The setting remained exactlythe same. I was back in that small office with the same two women, and the artificial scent of vanilla air freshener still made my stomach turn. Leah Mills from HR sat beside Dr. Norms, but this time they were joined by a new face. An older woman with sharp, observant eyes and an expensive suit sat at the end of the table. She was a representative from the hospital board.
They had a thick folder with my name printed on the front.
"Dr. Cross, thank you for coming." Leah folded her hands. "We need to discuss the ethics review that's been initiated."
"I'm aware of the situation." I kept my voice level, my hands still at my sides.
“The formal complaint filed by Dr. Henley alleges inappropriate conduct with a subordinate staff member. It mentions a potential abuse of your position and a violation of professional boundaries.” She opened the folder and began flipping through pages. “The investigation will closely examine the timeline of your relationship with Miss Rosen. We must determine if your role as an attending physician created an unfair power dynamic and if hospital policy was properly followed.”
Each word she spoke sounded like she was diagnosing a terminal disease rather than discussing my life.
“I understand the process,” I said.
The board representative leaned forward, her jewelry clinking softly. “Dr. Cross, you're a highly valued member of this institution. Your surgical record is exemplary, and we truly want to handle this situation with the utmost care.”
I braced myself because I knew a "but" was coming.
“However,” she continued, her voice turning firm. “The board has a specific recommendation for you. We believe it would be best if you stepped back from your position while this investigation proceeds.”
The room became incredibly quiet as I processed her words.
“Stepped back,” I repeated, my voice dropping an octave.
“It would be a voluntary leave of absence. This is not a formal suspension, but rather a temporary measure while we sort through the details.”
“For how long would I be gone?”
“Until the investigation officially concludes. We expect it to take a few weeks, or perhaps a month.”
“And what happens if I refuse to take this leave?”
Leah’s expression remained perfectly neutral. “Your continued presence in your current role will only serve to complicate these matters. Every surgery you perform with Miss Rosen will be scrutinized by the board. Every interaction you have will become potential evidence against you. If you truly care about her career, removing yourself from the situation is the most helpful course of action.”
Those words felt like a heavy weight pressing against my chest. They were telling me that if I truly cared about her, I would walk away. To protect her, I would have to step back and let her face this investigation entirely on her own.
“I see what you're saying,” I said.
“We’re not asking you to stop practicing medicine forever. We just want you to take some time off. You could work on your research or consult from home until this is resolved.” The board representative offered a professional, empty smile. “You should think of it as a sabbatical.”
“It sounds more like a forced sabbatical,” I countered.
“We prefer to call it a recommended one.”
I looked among the three of them. They all had reasonable faces and seemed certain they were doing the right thing for the hospital.
“When do you need my final answer?”
"End of the week would be ideal."
“Fine.” I stood, ending the meeting.
I walked out of the room and made it back to my office. I closed the door and locked it before leaning against the wood, eyes shut. After a long moment, I pushed off and crossed to the window, trying to focus on my breathing. This was exactly what I had feared most. This was the disaster I knew would happen if I ever let myself care about another person.
However, this wasn't the kind of tragedy I had expected. This was not a loss due to fate or circumstance; it was a loss due to institutional politics and my own failure to follow the rules. I should’ve disclosed the relationship immediately. I should’ve requested a different assistant. I should’ve followed every single protocol to the letter to protect her.
The door handle rattled suddenly, followed by a loud knocking.
“Riv, open the door,” Cassian called out.
