Page 12 of Doctor Do-Over

“That’s none of your business,” a woman says as she enters the room.

I recognize her—Ridley. Her husband was a patient of mine earlier this year. She’s followed in by a tall, blond man.

“Shakespeare, out now,” he says. The big man stands up and crosses his arms.

“Not until I know she’s okay and I can explain. Apologize. Say goodbye.” He acts like he cares for her.

“No, you overstepped your bounds. You know the rules,” the blond man says, standing next to Ridley.

“Julian, that’s enough,” Dr. Harker interjects as she steps into the room. She heads for the computer to read through Wryan’s chart. When I approach, she turns the screen away from me. This woman drives me crazy. Every time I’ve been around her for cardiac patients, she’s contradicted my treatments. “If you are going to cause strain or start fighting again, you all will have to leave.”

“I’m not leaving,” I say, and her brother and Shakespeare echo my sentiment.

“My patient needs peace and quiet. She doesn’t need this negativity. So far, her heart condition hasn’t caused any issues during the pregnancy, but this is the second time she’s fainted due to stress.”

“Second time?” J.D. and I both ask.

“You’re not supposed to tell them.” Wryan’s weak voice comes from the bed. Her eyes flutter as she looks around, eventually settling on me. I see the moment she remembers what I said.

I dreamed of getting her pregnant. Seeing her in that condition and accompanied by the two men set me off. I thought one of them was the father.

“I was going to look for you,” she says softly. “I wanted to find you.”

“He’s the baby daddy?” J.D. raises his voice.

“I won’t say it again. Keep calm, or I’ll have you ejected from the premises,” Dr. Harker says, pointing at J.D.

“Wry, I have to go. I’m sorry,” the other guy says as he takes her hand. He leans over her and kisses her forehead. Everything in my body coils, and I’m about to pull him away from her whena hand grips my arm. I turn to find myself face-to-face with Julian. He just shakes his head.

“I’m sorry too, Dax.” She squeezes his hand.

He walks out of the room, with Ridley following behind. I watch Wryan as her eyes focus back on me.

“He was only a friend. He’s been with me since shortly after I found out I was pregnant.” She presses the button to raise her head so she’s no longer lying back. I take in the changes to her body. Her breasts are fuller, and my child is all forward and a perfect round ball.

“How far along are you?”

“I’m twenty-four weeks along.”

“Were you going to tell me?”

“I think you should wait to have this conversation until you can do it alone. I need to talk to my patient first,” Dr. Harker says, and I turn to her sharply.

“I’m not leaving. If this pertains to my child, I’m not leaving,” I bite out.

“I’m not leaving either.”

“Wryan.” Another voice cuts through the tension. I turn to see Lucy, the education nurse, rushing in and pushing past everyone. “They said you fainted. Are you okay? Is it your heart? Is the baby putting too much pressure on it?”

“Your daughter’s heart is doing well,” Dr. Harker answers. “It’s just when she gets overwhelmed, she faints. After what happened in London, she promised me she would keep calm.”

“I tried. It’s not my fault all these men decided to be idiots.” Wryan sasses the doctor. I squeeze her foot, and she glances down at me, a flush spreading across her face. It makes me happy to see I still affect her.

“What happened in London?” Her brother approaches the bed. I almost want to apologize for the broken nose and blackeyes he’s sporting, but he tried to break my jaw, which is still throbbing.

“It’s nothing,” Wryan says, and I watch as Dr. Harker shakes her head.

“Nothing? That’s what you’re calling it? Well, nothing has found out you were back in the States and has stepped up their game. Every day since Friday, multiple obscene letters and deliveries have been sent to your editor and publisher. Your website was hacked; Browser had to take it down. Plus, a couple of bookstores in New York City displaying your books in the windows were vandalized,” Julian interjects.

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