Page 18 of Secret Baby for the Billionaire Doctor

While walking, I run into my assistant, Dr. Peters. He asks how I am doing, and I mutter a quick “fine” before he launches into a long-winded discussion about one of our patients, Mrs. Lee. He goes on and on about her case, but I can’t focus on what he was saying.

All I could think about was Ally.

Finally, Peters finishes his monologue, and I tell him we'd talk about it later. I need to find Ally. I hurriedly walk away, leaving Peters behind. I make my way to the residency program neurologists’ office, hoping that Ally will be there.

When I arrive, I see Michael, trying to console her. She is crying, and he is running his hand through her hair. I feel a twinge of jealousy and anger in my chest. Were they flirting during work hours?

I march up to them and publicly criticize them for their unprofessional behavior. "This is not the time or place for flirting," I say sharply. "We have patients to take care of and responsibilities to fulfill."

Michael looks taken aback, but Ally just glares at me. "I'm not the one flirting," she spits. "And I don't appreciate being accused of something I'm not doing."

I feel a pang of guilt. Maybe I am overreacting. But seeing her with Michael has brought out my insecurities and jealousy. I take a deep breath and try to calm down as he walks away in frustration. I watch as Michael leaves the room, leaving Ally and me alone together. Her face is twisted in anger as she glares at me. I know I had messed up again. I take a step forward and open my mouth to apologize, but she cuts me off.

"I can't believe you, Dante. First, you insult me, then you accuse me of flirting with Michael. What is wrong with you?" She practically spits out the words.

"I'm sorry, Ally. I didn't mean to insult you or accuse you of anything. I just...I don't know. I guess I got jealous when I saw you and Michael together," I say, trying to explain my behavior.

"Well, you have no right to be jealous, Dante. We're just friends, and even if we weren't, it's none of your business," she shoots back, her voice rising with each word.

I feel a pang of guilt. Maybe I am overreacting. But seeing her with Michael had brought out my insecurities and jealousy. I take a deep breath and try to calm down.

"Ally, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you angry. Please, can we talk about this over dinner tonight? At my place?" I ask, hoping she would agree.

But she just shakes her head. "No, Dante. I don't think that's a good idea. I need some space right now," she says, and then walks out of the room, leaving me standing there alone.

I watch her go, feeling a mix of emotions. I am angry at myself for messing things up with her yet again. But I am also hurt that she didn't want to give me another chance.

As I walk out of the office, I could feel the stares of Ally's colleagues on me. I don't care. All I want is to get away from there and back to my own office. I can't think straight with all these distractions around me.

When I finally reach my office, I slam the door shut and sink into my chair, fuming with anger. How could I have been so stupid? I had pushed Ally away yet again, and this time, I didn't know if I could ever win her back.

Ally

I stumble out of the hospital, my mind still reeling from the confrontation with Dante. How could he accuse me of flirting with Michael during working hours? It is completely unfounded, and I can't believe he would even think that of me. Let alone that he was the one receiving flirtatious words from a half-dressed woman. I need a drink to calm my nerves, and the bar across the street seems like the perfect place to go.

I walk in and order a stiff shot of whiskey. The bartender, a middle-aged man with a friendly face, comes over to me and asks if everything is okay. I shake my head and tell him about the argument I just had with Dante and how he was rude to me yesterday for no reason.

The bartender nods sympathetically and says, "I've seen a lot of relationships fall apart over the years. Sometimes people just can't see eye to eye."

I take another shot and then another, feeling the warmth of the alcohol spreading through my body. As I get drunker, I start saying funny things about how much I love Dante and how much I miss him. The bartender listens patiently, nodding and chuckling at my drunken ramblings. Eventually, I lie down on the counter, my head spinning. The bartender takes my phone out of my pocket and looks at the screen. He sees my sister's number and decides to give her a call.

"Hello?" Ashlee answers.

"Hi, this is the bartender at the bar across Meridian Hospital. Your sister is here, and she's had a bit too much to drink. I thought you might want to come pick her up."

"Oh no," Ashlee says, sounding concerned. "I'll be right there."

I feel the bartender lift me up and help me sit on a stool. My head is spinning, and I can barely see straight.

I feel embarrassed that I have gotten so drunk, especially in the middle of the day. Ashlee arrives a few minutes later and rushes over to me. "What's happening, Ally?" she asks, her voice full of worry.

I shake my head and try to stand up, but my legs won't cooperate. Ashlee and the bartender help me to my feet, and I stumble out of the bar, leaning heavily on my sister.

As we walk out, the bartender calls after us. "Take care of her, okay?"

Ashlee nods, her face set in determination. "Don't worry," she says. "I'll take care of her."

"What's happening, Ally? Why did you leave work early?" Ashlee asks as she tries to steady me.

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