Page 46 of Doctor’s Forbidden Match

“What about it?” I ask carefully.

“The network is panicking. She’s fallen twice in less than a week, and she’s the face of a fifty-million-dollar production. Their insurance company is breathing down our necks about liability.” He sits back in his chair, eyeing me. “They’re threatening a massive lawsuit if anything else happens to her before filming wraps.”

I see where this is going, and I don’t like it.

“So they want you to assign her case—”

“They want a Senior Attending,” he interrupts. “Someone with proven expertise, who can oversee her home recovery and guarantee she’s cleared for camera on schedule. With absolute discretion, no exceptions.”

I let out a short, humorless laugh. “They want a Senior Orthopedic Surgeon to be a glorified babysitter because a TV host is clumsy?”

“They want our best guy so their insurance company doesn’t bleed us dry.” His eyes narrow, cold and calculating. “And frankly, Sterling, after your last disciplinary review—that incident with the family member—you need to prove you can handle high-pressure situations without losing your temper. You need to prove you’re a team player.”

The words hit me like a sucker punch to the gut. He’s using my probation against me. Using my record to force me into this.

“I’m a surgeon, Mr. Peltz. I operate. Even save limbs. And solve complex medical problems. I’m not—”

“Exactly,” he interrupts firmly. “You’re the best guy. So you’re going to prove you can handle this without incident. You’ll be her dedicated medical liaison during her home recovery. Full-time. No other cases.”

“No days off?” I run a hand through my hair, feeling the beginning of a headache pulsing behind my eyes.

“We’ll compensate you, of course. But this is non-negotiable. The network has made their demands clear and, frankly, you’re not in a position to refuse.”

I press my lips into a thin line, feeling the trap close around me. This isn’t an opportunity. It’s a punishment dressed up as a responsibility. It’s him making sure I stay on a short leash while keeping the network happy.

“If you can’t be professional with a high-profile patient, I’ll find another senior surgeon who can. And I think we both know what that means for your career.”

I stare at him, my hands gripping my thighs, biting back multiple responses. But what’s the point? He made up his mind before he even summoned me here.

I thought I disliked him before, but this? This is something else entirely.

“When do I start?”

“Tomorrow. You’ll be stationed at her recovery location. She stays off that ankle, she heals on schedule, and you prove to me that you can handle pressure without blowing up at people. That’s the deal.”

I nod slowly, my body coiled tight.

I’m fucking boxed in. By my own record, by a network’s financial panic, and by a woman who’s already occupying way too much space in my thoughts.

Chapter 19

Hannah

I’m about to answer the call from Candace when a new knock sounds at the door, so my pulse quickens. I know it’s Dr. Sterling back to discharge me, so I’ll call her back as soon as he leaves.

I run my hand through my hair, making sure all the flyaways are slicked back. My stomach does a traitorous flip at the thought of seeing him again, those piercing blue eyes that seem to see right through every defence I put up.

When the door opens, disappointment crashes through me as a shorter figure steps through.

It’s not him.

Instead, it’s Mr. Peltz again.

He walks right up to my bedside.

“Miss Morgan, how are you feeling?” There’s a tension in his features that wasn’t there this morning.

I force a smile, trying to appear more energetic than I feel. “Better. Hopefully getting discharged soon.”