Page 83 of Shadows of Recovery

"I know," Brad said quietly. "And we'll keep fighting for her. But in the meantime, she needs all the support she can get. It sounds like she's got that with you."

Tristan felt a lump in his throat. "We're doing our best. She's been through so much."

"Stay strong, Tristan. You're doing good work," Brad said before hanging up.

Tristan returned to his seat and leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his desk. He thought about Sophie, her resilience and her strength. Despite everything she had been through, she still found a way to care for others, to correct mistakes, and to ensure the safety of the patients under their care.

He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts. There was so much more to do, so many battles yet to fight, and he couldn't let himself be overwhelmed. For Sophie's sake, and for the sake of everyone who depended on him, he had to keep moving forward. He had to be strong.

Thirty-Two

It had been two weeks since Kay was fired. Despite the generous severance package she received, she found herself in a difficult financial situation. She applied to hospitals and private practices, but no one wanted to hire a physician who had been fired by the Blackwell Institute. Tristan's reputation was impeccable, and if he fired someone, they must have been bad. The stigma followed her everywhere she went.

Desperation led her to consider options she would have previously dismissed. One name kept resurfacing in her mind: Nathan Whitlock. She knew the Eldon Sect, living on tribal land at Eldon Falls, needed a physician for their five hundred residents plus the seven hundred and fifty tribal members. Despite the alarming news reports about the sect and her knowledge of Damon Whitlock's involvement in Sophie's trauma, Kay's need for a paycheck outweighed her concerns. Sophie Everhart had, in Kay's mind, ruined her chances of rekindling her relationship with Tristan, so she felt no sympathy toward her.

Swallowing her pride and ignoring her apprehensions, Kay made her way to Eldon Falls. The journey was long and the landscape increasingly remote and foreboding as she neared the sect's territory. When she arrived, she was greeted by an imposing gate and a stern-looking guard. After a brief conversation and inspection, she was allowed to pass.

Nathan Whitlock's office was located in a large, rustic building that seemed at odds with the austere surroundings. A chill ran down her spine as she walked through the dark hallways, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the potential paycheck.

Nathan greeted her in his office, a spacious room with a large wooden desk and several bookshelves lined with old tomes and documents. He was a tall man with an air of authority that was both intimidating and compelling.

"Dr. Kay," he said, extending his hand. "Thank you for coming."

"Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Whitlock." Kay shook his hand firmly and forced a polite smile, determined to make a good impression.

"Please, have a seat." Nathan motioned to a chair opposite his desk. "I understand you're looking for a position as a physician. We are in need of medical staff for our community. Our previous physician has grown too old to take care of patients."

Kay nodded, sitting down and trying to exude confidence. "Yes, I have extensive experience in both psychiatry and general medicine. I'm sure I can be of help to your community."

Nathan leaned back in his chair, studying her intently. "I must say, I was surprised to hear that someone with your qualifications was available. The Blackwell Institute has a reputation for excellence."

Kay's stomach tightened, but she maintained her composure. "There were some misunderstandings, and, unfortunately, I had to leave. I'm looking for a fresh start, and I'm willing to dedicate myself fully to the position."

Nathan nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Well, we are willing to offer you a generous salary and full accommodations here at Eldon Falls. Your duties will include general medical care, emergency response, and overseeing the health of our residents and the tribal residents. It's a demanding job, but it comes with substantial rewards."

Kay felt a surge of relief and excitement. This was exactly what she needed. "Thank you, Mr. Whitlock. I appreciate the opportunity. When would you like me to start?"

Nathan smiled, but there was something cold and calculating in his eyes. "Welcome to Eldon Falls, Dr. Kay. We'll make the necessary arrangements immediately."

As she left Nathan's office, Kay couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach. But she pushed it aside, focusing on the substantial paycheck and the stability it promised. This was a new beginning, and she would do whatever it took to succeed.

As Kay left Nathan's office, she was stopped by a man who bore a striking resemblance to Nathan. His presence was commanding, and his eyes were as sharp and calculating as Nathan's.

"Hold up," he called out, his voice carrying a tone of authority. "Welcome, Dr. Kay. I'm Eli Whitlock. Let me show you to your new home and clinic."

Eli approached her, placing a possessive hand on her arm. The touch was firm, bordering on uncomfortable. "I will have some of our men accompany you to where you currently live to do the heavy lifting, and the women will help you pack. We will get you moved in by tonight."

Kay forced a smile, trying to hide her unease. "Thank you, Eli. I appreciate the help."

Eli led her down a set of corridors, his grip on her arm never loosening. As they walked, he spoke about the community and the important role she would play in maintaining the health and well-being of the residents. His tone was warm, but there was an underlying current of control that made Kay's skin crawl. “One more thing, Dr. Kay. We are aware that Dr. Blackwell has filed a complaint with the state licensing board. It appears your misunderstanding was more than that.”

Kay shook. She realized she was trapped. “It was a disagreement about how to treat a patient,” she stammered.

“Sophie Everhart, possibly?” Eli asked.

“How did you know that?” Her eyes widened. The only reason she didn’t run was the money and Eli’s possessive grip.

“It was in the complaint. Tell me, how is nice Dr. Everhart doing? She saved our father.”

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