The rumors had escalated into something serious and dangerous.
By the middle of the week, the entire clinic was talking. Whispers followed Dr. Reed everywhere he went.
Nurse Linda had apparently started keeping a private log of “suspicious behavior”, noting the times Sophia visited, how long Reed spent in closed-door appointments, and the way he seemed distracted and happier than usual.
The hospital administrator finally called him in for a long, tense meeting.
When Reed emerged from the office, his face was pale and his shoulders were tense. He looked like a man who had just been given an ultimatum that could destroy his life.
That evening, he showed up at Sophia’s apartment unannounced.
The moment she opened the door, he pulled her into a crushing hug, holding her like she was t
