Page 33 of Doctor Frost

“Is it? People tell me Dalton is hard to please, so it only makes sense that promotions wouldn’t be handed out quickly. Also, word around the hospital is that he works long hours, leaving his children at home with nannies, so he doesn’t need to deal with them. It was also reported that you were Christmas shopping in a toy store, yet you have no children of your own. After being confronted and denying the allegations, someone saw you out with the entire family looking for a Christmas tree, where it was reported the two of you kissed for a photo, which apparently, when you noticed, there was a look of discomfort on your face.”

The room spun out of control. The look of discomfort had been because I’d seen Connie watching us. There had been no other reason.

“Also—”

I cut her off. I didn’t like what she was suggesting, nor that she was siding with the complaint. She was supposed to be here to hear my side of the story and look at the entire thing objectively, not have a preformed opinion.

“I’m sorry, but I need to use the washroom for a moment.” Getting up and grabbing my purse, I left the room.

Once I was in the washroom, I locked the main door and went into one stall. I pulled my phone from my purse, panicfilling me at her suggestion. I did not know what to do, and since I hadn’t seen or talked to Dalton all week, we hadn’t come up with a plan.

I was about to dial his office when I realized Connie would be the one answering the phones. She was probably already aware of the fact that Constance was here to see me as well. So, I dialed his personal cell phone, hoping and praying he wasn’t in his own meeting or in with a client. Only it didn’t ring. Instead, it went directly to his voicemail.

I covered my mouth, trying to stifle my cries as I listened to his message. Once I heard the beep, I sniffled and tried hard to regain composure, only I blubbered into the phone, no doubt not making any sense, then I hung up, wiped my eyes, and went to the sink. I splashed some cold water on my face, took a few deep breaths, and then headed back to the meeting.

I sat back down in my chair and waited for Constance to look up from her notes. When she did, I cleared my throat. I wasn’t sure how she was going to react to my next statement, but it needed to be said.

“I don’t like how you are twisting what I say around to make Dalton look bad. He has in no way influenced me or preyed upon me, if that is what you are trying to get me to admit. He also has never passed me up for a promotion, since I’ve never applied or expressed interest in any,” I said, trying to stand my ground.

Constance removed her glasses, then sat back in her chair. I could see she was thinking before she said anything, and when she did, I felt all the air leave the room.

“Amelia, it would be in your best interest for you to get on board with the narrative, especially if you’d like to keep your job.”

What was she talking about? Did she really just give me this ultimatum, to turn against Dalton and go with the story or losemy job? I crossed my arms in front of me, trying to work through everything.

“Tell you what. Here is my card, you think about it. Call me no later than Monday and let me know what path you are going to take.”

She bundled up the folder she had in front of her and shoved it into her case and then left the room. I felt nauseous and like I could faint. There was no way I could work today.

I reached over and grabbed a pen and pad of paper from Sawyers’ desk and quickly scribbled a note, then gathered my things and slipped out the back door.

Dalton

I listenedto her muffled message and sobbing cries once I’d gotten into my car, trying to make out what she was saying. It was so garbled, I had to replay it.

As I listened carefully to the message, my heart raced. She mentioned something about being forced to follow along or be fired. When I got to the next message, it was her again, only the second message there was no way I could understand. It sounded as if she’d been outside when she’d called and left the message.

I gripped the steering wheel of the car, debating what to do. I’d been forewarned by my advocate not to have contact with her, but she was hurting and needed me. I hated the position Connie had put us in.

Almost as if on cue, Connie appeared, walking in front of my car on the way to hers. She held up her hand and waved as if we were best friends, then signalled for me to roll my window down.

I hit the button, the cold winter air hitting my cheeks.

“Have a great night, Dalton. I am glad everything went well today with all the patients, and I look forward to getting more hands-on tomorrow!” she yelled as she waved.

Irritation flooded me. She was a horrible nurse, horrible with the patients, paperwork and reports hadn’t been filed all week, I couldn’t find anything I needed, and she was lazy as hell. The moment the office closed, she was out of there. How the hell she’d ever become the head RN baffled me. I now remembered why I’d denied her promotion when we worked together at the last hospital I was at.

My phone rang just as I started the engine. I grabbed it immediately, seeing it was Amelia. Only when I answered, the line went dead.

That was it. I didn’t care that I’d been warned; I was going to her. This was absolutely ridiculous and beyond anything I could ever imagine could have happened because of this.

I knocked on the door of her apartment, waiting in the hall. I heard nothing as I listened at the door. Perhaps she wasn’t home, I thought to myself. I was just about to turn and leave when I heard the door unlock. I stopped, turning in time to see her red, swollen eyes.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside, shutting it behind me before I grabbed her and wrapped her in my arms. Almost immediately, she cried heavy sobs as I held her in my arms.

When she finally stopped and I let her go, she looked up at me.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

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