1 adjusted my assistanta badge, painfully aware that I had no real right to be here during morning rounds. What a pity! Free years ago, I’d been 5 pinindelo medical student at Columbia. Now, I was trailing behind Thomas like a ghost of my former aspirations
“Sophia, Thomaxx professional tone carried just the right mix of authority and warmth, I’d appreciate your assistance during rounds this morning. You medical background sald provide valuable insights.
I knew what he was doing – giving me a taste of the life I’d left behind. The life I might have had if circumstances had been different. If I hadn’t married Henry. If I hadn’t…
My thoughts scattered as we approached Isabella Scott’s private suite. Even from outside, the room screamed privilege fresh flowers, designer furnishings, and a level of luxury that would make most hospital administrators blush. Through the glass partition, I could see Henry’s tall figure bent protectively over Isabella’s bed.
Henry looked up as we entered, his gray eyes widening fractionally before narrowing with displeasure. The sight of Thomas and me together clearly hadn’t been part of his morning plans.
Isabella reclined against silk pillows, her platinum hair arranged in artfully tousled waves. Her perfectly manicured hands clutched Henry’s arm as if he were her only anchor to life itself.
Dr. Sanders, she breathed, her voice carrying just the right note of weakness. “I’m so grateful you could see me this morning. I’ve been feeling absolutely dreadful.
Thomas maintained his professional demeanor as he reviewed her chart. I watched his eyes narrow slightly at the readings- everything within normal range except for mild kidney function irregularities. Nothing that warranted occupying a VIP suite.
“Miss Scott, Thomas began, his voice carefully neutral, “your latest tests show your condition is stable. The kidney function abnormality is minor, and while we’ll continue monitoring until a suitable donor becomes available, there’s no medical reason for continued hospitalization.”
Isabella’s grip on Henry’s arm tightened visibly. “But doctor,” she coughed delicately into a silk handkerchief, ‘I’ve been experiencing such terrible difficulty breathing. Are you certain there aren’t other complications?”
I watched her performance with clinical detachment, noting how she shifted closer to Henry, how her breathing became deliberately labored.
“The tests are quite clear,” Thomas replied, his professional mask slipping slightly. “Continuing to occupy a VIP suite would be an inefficient use of medical
resources.
Isabella’s face crumpled in practiced distress. Henry’s expression darkened as he drew her closer, his protective instincts clearly triggered by her display of vulnerability.
“Perhaps,” Henry’s voice carried that dangerous edge I knew too well, “we should consider transferring to another hospital. One where the staff understands proper patient care.”
Thomas’s grip on his tablet tightened imperceptibly. “Don’t you think proper patient care includes honesty, Mr. Harding? Or would you prefer we ignore medical facts in favor of…other considerations?”
‘Don’t you know how to talk to patients?” Henry’s voice dropped to that quiet register that usually preceded explosion. “Or is this how Cambridge trained you?”
The tension in the room crystallized into something dangerous. I saw Thomas’s jaw clench, and I have a bad feeling about this.
“You want to know how Cambridge trained me?” Thomas’s voice carried an edge I’d never heard before. “They trained me to practice medicine, not pander to manufactured emergencies. Your girlfriend’s symptoms are clearly exaggerated, Mr. Harding. This behavior isn’t just wasting medical resources it’s taking care away from patients who genuinely need it.”
Henry’s face transformed with rage. “Are you questioning Isabella’s integrity?”
–
‘I’m questioning everything about this situation,” Thomas shot back. “Including how you can parade your affair around this hospital while your wife stands right here. If you’re capable of such public indecency, at least own it instead of hiding behind medical pretenses!”
“Watch your mouth, Doctor, Henry’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. One word from me, and you’ll never
1/2
practice medicine in New York again * *
Thomas laughed, the sound sharp and bliter. Is that supposed to frighten me? Go ahead, make your threats. I’ll practice medicine anywher Sophia comes with mel
Careful, Doctor, Henty’s voice turned archie. You’re forgetting your place. Sophis is my wife.
Wife? Thomas’s eyes flashed dangerously. ‘Is that what you call someone you publicly humiliate? Someone whose child you ignore while parading ground. with your mistress?
One more word about my personal life, Henry stepped forward, his height advantage obvious, and I’ll make sure you never practice medicine again. Not in New York, not anywhere.”
Try it,” Thomas didn’t back down. “Unlike some people, I earned my position through ma
behind their family name!”
not
family connections. And I’m not afraid of bullies who hide
The words hung in the air like shattered glass. I saw Henry’s hands clench into fists, saw so
situation could escalate further, I stepped between them.
gleam with calculated satisfaction. Before the
Dr. Sanders,” my voice cut through the tension, “please remember we’re conducting rounds. There are witnesses. I turned to Henry, letting him see the contempt in my eyes. “Mr. Harding, this is a hospital, not your family estate. Your influence stops at medical decisions.
Without waiting for a response, I grabbed Thomas’s arm and steered him toward the door. “We have other patients
to
In the hallway, Thomas’s professional mask crumpled. “If it weren’t for you, Sophia, I would have punched that s
see, Doctor
smug look off his face.”
“This is Manhattan General,” I reminded him quietly. “We need to maintain professionalism. If someone recorded that scene and posted it online, your reputation would suffer.”
Thomas ran a hand through his silver–streaked hair. ‘You’re right, of course. I just can’t stand watching him treat
his way.
I squeezed his arm gently before heading to the restroom to collect myself. Inside a stall, I heard the click of shoes against tile as several nurses entered.
“Can you believe Mrs. Harding?” The first voice dripped with disdain. “Using her looks to seduce Dr. Sanders. She’s nothing but a shameless flirt!”
‘I heard she used to study at Columbia Medical,” another voice chimed in. “Now look at her – just a hospital assistant. The way she walks, practically bouncing her chest… what man wouldn’t be interested?”
“Did you see Henry with Isabella though?” A third voice sighed dreamily. “That’s what a proper couple looks like. They’re perfect for each other.”
‘Speaking of Mrs. Harding… the first voice lowered conspiratorially, “isn’t her real name Sophia Wilson?”
Chapter Comments
∞ 1
POST COMMENT NOW
み
<S
