“And she’s going to be pissed you kept it from her.”
“Probably.” I stand. “But she’ll be employed and Winters will be gone. I can live with her being pissed.”
Barrett shakes his head slightly. “Good luck with that.”
The problem isthat there’s no way to explain Winters being on leave without her asking questions I can’t answer yet.
And if I tell her about the investigation, she’ll want to know why Winters was removed so quickly. What evidence was so compelling that HR acted immediately.
And then I’ll have to admit I’ve been building a case against him for weeks. While her mom was dying. While she was falling apart.
That I kept it from her because I thought I was protecting her, when really I was just making decisions about her career without asking what she wanted.
But it’s too late to take it back now.
The evidence is submitted. The investigation is in motion.
All I can do is tell her what I’m allowed to tell her and hope she understands why I had to do it this way.
Marnie’sexactly where I left her when I get home.
Same position on the couch. Same blank expression. Same wedding ring turning slowly on her thumb.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” She doesn’t look up. “Everything okay?”
I sit beside her, trying to find the right words. There probably aren’t right words for this.
“There was a meeting today. About Winters.”
That gets her attention. Her eyes find mine, suddenly focused.
“What kind of meeting?”
“He filed formal complaints. With HR.” I take her hand, feel how cold her fingers are. “Against you.”
She goes very still. “What?”
“Fraternization affecting medical judgment. Claimsyour relationship with me compromised your professional decisions. The Rodriguez situation, my recovery timeline—he’s using all of it.”
Her face has gone pale. “When did he file?”
“Yesterday.”
“While I was—” She stops. “He waited until I was out dealing with my mom’s funeral.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s—” Her voice shakes. “God, he really hates me.”
“He’s scared of you. There’s a difference.” I squeeze her hand. “But Marnie, you need to hear the rest.”
She looks at me, eyes wide and terrified.
“They put Winters on admin leave. He’s being investigated too.”
Her breath catches. “For what?”
