Page 50 of Fixation

Her eyes rounded. His words had come out harsh. But he was beyond caring now. The fact that she could have been hurt by someone burned like acid through him.

At her silence, he repeated. “Did. He. Hurt. You?”

“Not that way, no. He asked me to sleep with him and I refused. After which, I stayed away from him.”

Raw anger coursed through him. “Fucking bastard. I want to hurt him so bad.”

“He is a fucking bastard. And he deserves to get hurt. He made my life miserable after I rejected his advances. Gave me the longest shifts, cancelled my holidays, made me work through Xmas, and banned me from the operation theatre.”

Seeing the fury on her face, he asked, “Do you want to make him pay?”

She gaped at him. “What?”

“I can arrange to?—”

“—thank you for looking out for me. But I have to figure this situation out when I return to work. And you are not figuring it out for me. Clear?”

He refused to respond. Men like Dr. Williams needed to be punished.

“Vedant, I need your word that you won’t interfere in this.”

“Fine, I won’t.” He sighed, then continued, “But why did you allow him to get away with it?”

She shrugged. “I was too scared of the repercussions on my career. He’s the senior most surgeon and the chief donor of the hospital. Why would they believe me? I had no proof, and it would have been my word against his. My career would have ended, and he would have gotten away scot-free. Such is the way of the world.”

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Vedant growled. “You let him get away with harassing you?”

“My career was… is too important to fuck it up. I’ve worked too damn hard for it.”

“No, Reina.Youare important. You ought to come first, even to yourself.”

Her eyes widened. “I… I’ve never considered that before.”

“You should. Fuck, I’m so angry right now. You are this bold and brave woman, and yet you didn’t stand up for yourself when it mattered the most.” He shook his head. “Promise me that, henceforth, no matter what happens, you will stand up for yourself.”

She studied him for a long moment. “I promise.”

But he wasn’t relieved; he was still mad. So mad that that wretched man had gotten away, and she’d let him.

Reina tugged at his arm. “Okay, stop getting mad and ask me something else.”

He exhaled and inhaled, calming himself. But it wasn’t working. “I’m so angry. I?—”

She planted her mouth on his, silencing him. Immediately, all his fury vanished. Reina knotted her arms around his neck, and his blood began to sizzle. She kissed him long and hard. They both were panting when she moved back.

“Okay now?” she asked.

He smiled. “Yes.”

“Good. Now ask me another question or let me ask. I have plenty.”

“Sure you do, but it is my turn!” His happy mood was back in full force, thanks to her kiss. “Tell me what do you like to do for fun.”

“Until recently, my work took up all my time,” she began, “But now, since coming here, I’ve started swimming, as you know, and I’ve been reading again.”

“You mean those smutty books I’ve seen you reading?”

“Yes, they are so light-hearted and entertaining. Besides, everyone gets a happy ever after, which makes it all the more satisfying.”

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