Chapter 72
layer as I stood waiting outside Brooklyn Heights superhero backpack bouncing gently with each step. Only
The winter morning light streggled to penetrate the heavy clou Academy. I watched Billy disappear through the school gates, h When he turned to give me a final wave did I allow myself to breathe easier.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. Thomas’s name flashed across the screen.
“Sophia,” when I answered, his voice carried that familiar warmth. “I have good news.”
“I could use some of that,” I replied, pulling my coat tighter against the winter chill.
“The hospital has issued an official announcement. You’ve been fully reinstated, effective immediately. The smile in his voice was clearly audible. “You can come back to work today if you’d like.”
My heart instantly lightened. After everything that had happened, returning to work felt like reclaiming a part of myself.
“That’s wonderful!” I couldn’t hide the excitement in my voice. But how did they resolve this so quickly?”
Thomas hesitated slightly. “Well, the interesting part is, apparently William made a few calls.”
Of course. I should have known. William had always been my unexpected ally in the Harding family.
“I’ll be there in an hour,” I told Thomas, already mentally planning my day.
Manhattan General Hospital’s familiar corridors welcomed me back with unexpected warmth. As I walked through the staff entrance, faces lit up with recognition and genuine smiles.
“Sophia!” Nurse Jenkins spotted me first, rushing over with open arms. “You’re back!”
Before I could respond, I found myself surrounded by colleagues nurses, orderlies. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to
see me.
“We missed you!” “The place hasn’t been the same!” “Thank God you’re back, the filing system is a disaster!”
Their enthusiasm caught me off guard. I had always kept a low profile at work. Yet somehow, without realizing it, I had built connections with so many people.
Thomas appeared at the edge of the crowd, watching everything with an amused expression. When our eyes met, he gave
me a subtle wink.
“Alright everyone, let her breathe,” he finally called out, making his way through the crowd. “She has a full schedule
today.”
As the crowd dispersed, Thomas moved closer. “We’re having a welcome–back dinner tonight at Imperial Palace,” he said.
“Seven o’clock. Everyone’s coming.”
Thomas, that’s really not necessary-”
“It absolutely is,” he insisted. “The entire department wants to celebrate your return. Besides,” his voice lowered slightly, “it’s been a long time since we’ve had something to celebrate.”
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Chapter 72
I hesitated, already thinking about Billy. “I’m not sure I can make It. Billy
“Bring him along.” Thomas suggested, though we both knew th type of gathering wasn’t suitable for children.
U figure something out,” I promised, though I had no idea what to do.
The morning passed quickly with patient consultations and paperwork. Winter brought the usual influx of flu cases, and I didn’t have time to think about the evening’s affairs until lunch ime.
Sitting alone in the break room, I stared at my phone. There really was only one option, though everything inside me resisted making the call.
My finger hovered over Henry’s contact information. Since our encounter last night, I had been avoiding thinking about him–about those moments when I almost succumbed to the sexual desire for Henry again.
Taking a deep breath, I made the call.
“What?” Henry’s voice was cold and sharp when he answered, making me wince.
“I need a favor,” I began, trying to keep myself as steady as possible.
“A favor?” He laughed, a sound completely devoid of humor. “After locking me out last night?”
I ignored his words. “I need you to pick up Billy from school.”
Silence stretched between us, filled with unspoken tension.
“Why?” he finally asked. “What’s so important that you can’t pick up your own son?”
“I have a work commitment,” I explained, trying to stay calm. “A department dinner.”
“Ah,” his voice took on that mocking tone I knew too well. “A ‘department dinner.‘ With Thomas, I presume? How
convenient.”
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