Chapter 6
Elena survived the surgery.
Barely.
The baby boy was delivered safely but required immediate neonatal support.
No one told Preston more than that for several hours.
He sat outside the operating suite with his elbows on his knees, staring at dried blood on neither hand—because he had not been the one who saved her.
Khloe sat three chairs away.
She tried to move closer.
He stopped her with one look.
“What did you tell me in the hallway?”
She blinked.
“That she attacked me.”
“Show me where.”
Khloe touched the faint mark on her wrist.
Preston stared.
It was shaped like pressure from fingers.
But the mark faced the wrong direction for someone grabbing her.
A physician would notice.
A jealous husband had not.
“You did that yourself,” he whispered.
Khloe began crying again.
This time, Preston heard the calculation in it.
“I was scared.”
“Of Elena?”
“Of losing you.”
The words hung between them.
Preston’s face changed.
Not because he was innocent.
He was not.
Khloe had manipulated him, but she had not ordered him to ignore a collapsing patient.
She had not pointed at the epidural controls.
She had not refused surgery.
She had only given his resentment a story.
He had supplied the cruelty himself.
The hospital administrator entered with two compliance officers.
“Dr. Pierce, surrender your badge.”
Preston stood.
“My wife is in surgery.”
“And you are under immediate suspension pending investigation.”
Khloe lowered her head.
May you like
The administrator turned to her next.
“Intern Khloe Dawson, remain seated.”
