Page 95 of Shattering

Cadi let out a breath, shaking her head slightly. "I... I've given it a lot of thought. And I appreciate the opportunity. But I don't think I can take it. Not right now."

Silence.

Dr. Winslow sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that, with the way this conversation is going."

Cadi swallowed, guilt nipping at her. "It's just... personal issues. Too much on my plate at the moment."

"I understand," Dr. Winslow said, though there was disappointment in her tone. "It's a demanding role. The next person in line is Dr. Ryan Lowell in Paediatrics."

Cadi's lips parted slightly in surprise.

Ryan.

That was perfect.

She had known Ryan from university days, back when the world still felt full of possibilities and life hadn't yet weighed them down. He was brilliant, charismatic, always five steps ahead, and they had gotten along like a house on fire.

If she had to step back, she couldn't think of a better person for the role.

Dr. Winslow continued, "That said, we still want you on board in some capacity. If you're open to it, we'd love to have you in an advisory role. It wouldn't be as much of a time drain, but you'd still be involved in the bigger discussions."

Cadi hesitated.

But only for a moment.

"I'll think about it," she said, even though she already knew she'd say yes.

When Cadi finally got home, the house was quiet. Gray's bag was by the door, his shoes kicked off carelessly near the entrance.

She set down her keys, rolling her shoulders. She needed a shower. She needed food. She needed to stop thinking for five bloody minutes.

And then she saw it.

A small note taped to the refrigerator.

Gray's handwriting—neat, deliberate.

Cadi,

I was thinking today about when we were in school. When I got that bloody detention for fighting and I thought I was done for. Thought my mam would lose her mind.

But you marched right in and told Mr. O'Leary that if he didn't also punish the other lad, then you'd sit in detention with me. Which you had to do, in the end. But I didn't mind it anymore as you were there with me.

You always stuck by me. Even when I didn't deserve it.

I don't know why I'm thinking about it now, but I reckon I just wanted to remind ye that I've never forgotten it.

-Gray

Cadi sighed, running a thumb over the note.

It wasn't much. Just words.

But somehow, she felt a little less tired.

Chapter 44

Cadi,

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