Page 76 of Shadows of Recovery

“I think you know. We have to deal with the fallout.”

Tristan nodded, cracking his neck. "Keep her safe, Chris. I need to find Kay and get to the bottom of this." He stormed out of Chris’s office and made his way through the hallways, his mind filled with questions and fury.

Tristan stormed into Kay’s office, his face flushed with anger. She looked up from her phone, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. “I’ll call you back.” She hung up.

"Kay, we need to talk," Tristan said, his voice unyielding.

She looked up, surprised by his tone. "What’s going on?"

Tristan shut the door behind him, his eyes blazing with anger. "How did Sophie get her chart? How did she find out about her STI and everything else?”

Kay cocked her eyebrow.

“You admit it? You did it on purpose? You went against the team’s decision?” Tristan’s voice was a mixture of fury and disbelief.

Kay leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “I did what I thought was best. You were all too soft on her.”

Tristan blew out a harsh breath, running a hand through his hair. “Too soft? Sophie is in critical condition right now because of you! We all agreed you were not to have any contact with her. You knew that!”

Kay shrugged nonchalantly. “I have experience. I could handle it.”

“Handle it?” Tristan’s voice rose, shaking with rage. “Sophie was triggered into a self-harming episode because of your presence. You knew she wasn’t ready for that kind of stress!”

Kay stood up, her eyes narrowing. “Maybe if you and the team weren’t coddling her so much, she’d be stronger by now. You’re holding her back, Tristan.”

He took a step closer, his fists clenched at his sides. “Holding her back? She’s been through hell, Kay! She needs our support, not more trauma. Your reckless decision could have cost her life!”

Kay rolled her eyes. “Drama much? She’s not a child. She needs to face her demons, not be shielded from them.”

Tristan’s face contorted with pain and anger. “Facing her demons doesn’t mean throwing her into the fire! You have no idea what she’s been through. None!”

Kay’s smirk faded, replaced by a look of defiance. “And you think you do? Just because you’re her lover, you think you know best? Maybe you’re too close to see clearly.”

Tristan’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “I know her better than anyone. And I know what she needs right now is compassion and care, not your misguided tough love.”

Kay shook her head, her eyes filled with contempt. “You’re weak, Tristan. That’s your problem. You’re too emotional to make the hard decisions.”

His blood boiled, a wave of anger surging through him as Kay’s insulting words hit him. “This isn’t about me!” he snapped, his voice hard and unforgiving. “This is about Sophie. And if you can’t see that, you have no place here.”

Kay’s lips curled into a defiant sneer, her eyes narrowing as she met his gaze. “Fine. Maybe I’ll leave, then. See how you manage without someone willing to make the tough calls.”

Tristan’s anger reached a breaking point. He couldn’t risk any more harm coming to Sophie or anyone else at the Institute. He had to act decisively. “Kay, after what you admitted, I have no choice but to terminate your employment here,” he said, his tone icy and resolute. “You went against the team’s decision, and it nearly cost Sophie her life.”

Kay’s eyes widened in shock, but she quickly masked it with a haughty expression. “You’re firing me?” her voice trembled with a mix of disbelief and fury.

“Yes,” he stood, firm and unwavering, “you are to vacate the premises immediately. I’ll have security escort you out. You’re not to set foot on these grounds again.”

He didn’t give her a chance to argue. He turned to the desk, picked up the phone and dialed security, his hand steady. “This is Dr. Blackwell. I need security in Dr. Birdham’s office immediately.”

Kay’s face flushed with rage, her eyes blazing as she watched him. “You can’t do this! I was trying to help!”

Tristan didn’t flinch, his gaze locking onto hers with a cold finality. “You crossed a line, Kay. This isn’t about helping anymore. It’s about keeping Sophie safe. You violated her trust, and you’re done here.”

As the door opened and security entered, Tristan gestured to them. “Please escort Dr. Birdham off the premises. Confiscate her identification and keys. She is no longer allowed on Institute grounds. Kay, I’ll arrange for your belongings to be sent wherever you designate.”

Kay stood frozen for a moment, disbelief mingling with the anger in her eyes, but Tristan’s resolve was unshakable. “Goodbye, Kay,” he said, his voice low and final.

Security moved forward, guiding Kay out of the office as she sputtered protests, but Tristan turned away, his focus already shifting back to Sophie. He had made his decision, and there was no turning back. He would protect Sophie, no matter the cost.

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