Page 38 of Single Daddy Doctor Dreamy

He sneers. “You think I’m scared of you? That you can just take everything from me and I’ll…”

The sound of sirens cuts through the air, growing louder with every passing second. Rivkin’s head jerks up, his expression shifting from defiance to confusion. He looks past me toward the house, realization dawning too late.

Lucy called the cops.

Good.

I stay where I am, watching as two patrol cars pull up to the curb. The officers step out, their movements measured but purposeful. One of them approaches me while the other heads toward Rivkin.

“Evening, sir,” the officer says, his eyes flicking between me and the other man. “We got a call about a potential DUI. What’s going on here?”

“Dr. Rivkin here has been drinking and driving,” I say, keeping my tone steady. “He’s clearly intoxicated and refused to hand over his keys.”

The officer nods, turning to Rivkin. “Sir, I’m going to need you to step away from the vehicle.”

Rivkin’s bravado dissolves into a mix of panic and indignation. “This is ridiculous,” he sputters. “Do you know who I am?”

“I do,” the officer replies coolly. “And I’m going to need you to cooperate.”

What follows is an embarrassing spectacle as Rivkin tries to argue his way out of it, only to fail miserably. The breathalyzer confirms what we already knew; he’s well over the legal limit. Within minutes, he’s cuffed and placed in the back of the patrol car, his protests falling on deaf ears.

As the officers finish up, one of them approaches me again. “We’ll be taking him to the station. You’ll likely need to make a statement tomorrow.”

“Understood,” I say, glancing toward the house. Lucy’s silhouette is visible through the curtains, and I know she’s been watching everything.

Once the police leave, the street falls quiet again. I take a deep breath, the tension in my chest finally easing.

The next morning, I’m summoned to an emergency meeting with the hospital’s board of directors. The email is curt, offering no details beyond the time and location. I know exactly what it’s about.

When I arrive at the boardroom, the atmosphere is tense. The members are seated around the large table, their expressions ranging from grim to indifferent. Dr. Harris, the chairperson, gestures for me to take a seat.

“Dr. Anderson,” he begins, folding his hands in front of him. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

“Of course,” I reply, keeping my tone neutral. “What’s this about?”

Dr. Harris exchanges a glance with the other members before speaking again. “As you’re aware, there was an incident involving Dr. Rivkin last night. We’ve reviewed the reports and spoken with the authorities. Given the severity of his actions, the board has decided to suspend Dr. Rivkin until further notice.”

Unsurprised, I say, “That’s understandable.”

“There’s more,” Harris continues, his gaze steady. “The board has also decided to complete the evaluation of candidates and finalize the replacement for the position of chief of staff. After careful consideration, we believe it’s in the hospital’s best interest to offer the position to you.”

The words hit me like a freight train. For a moment, I’m stunned into silence.

“I appreciate the offer,” I say carefully, “but I’d like to understand why the board feels this is the right decision.”

Harris leans back in his chair. “Dr. Rivkin has proven himself unreliable and unfit to lead and the other candidates were not up to the standards we are looking for. The hospital needs stability, and you’ve demonstrated time and again that you’re capable of providing that. Your track record speaks for itself.”

“This isn’t just about Rivkin’s behavior,” another board member adds. “We’ve been impressed with your leadership, your ability to remain calm under pressure, and your dedication to the hospital and its staff. We believe you’re the right person to take us forward.”

I glance around the table, taking in their expressions. They’re serious. This isn’t just a knee-jerk reaction to last night’s events. They’ve made up their minds.

“Thank you for your confidence in me,” I say finally. “I’ll need some time to consider the offer, but I’m honored by your trust.”

Harris nods. “Take the weekend to think it over. We’ll reconvene on Monday for your decision.”

As I leave the boardroom, a mix of emotions churns within me. This is an opportunity I’ve worked toward for years, but the circumstances are far from ideal. Taking the position would mean stepping into a role overshadowed by Rivkin’s downfall. It would mean more responsibility, more pressure. But it would also mean change. For the hospital, for my career, and for my family.

When I step outside, the crisp air feels like a wake-up call. Lucy’s waiting for me by the car, her eyes scanning my face as I approach.

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