Chapter 26 Playing The Game
Chase Blackwood ended the call and let his phone rest on the desk in front of him. His fingers ran through his hair, gripping the strands tightly as he exhaled sharply. A meeting with the medical board. Questions about Nexus Care Hospital. About an incident.
"What incident?" he had asked the woman on the line.
She had hesitated. "We'd prefer to discuss it in person."
That hesitation had sent an immediate chill down his spine.
His first thought had been of Emilia.
His mind raced, piecing together every possible worst-case scenario. Had something happened to her? Had someone at the hospital hurt her? Was she in trouble? Or worse—was this about that night? The night that changed everything?
His gut twisted as he forced himself to sound composed. "Of course. Anything to help."
They arranged the meeting for Friday afternoon. Three days. Three damn days of not knowing what this was about, of waiting, of wondering if Emilia was okay. If this was about her. If this was about what he'd done.
As soon as the call ended, he hit her number. He barely waited through the first ring before realizing the call wasn't going through.
Blocked.
A sharp curse left his lips as he tossed the phone onto his desk with more force than necessary. His jaw clenched, frustration curling in his chest like a slow-burning fire.
Why the hell would she block him?
After everything, after what they'd shared, did she really think she could just shut him out completely? Did she think that would make any of this go away? If anything, it only made his concern spike to unbearable levels.
He shot up from his chair, pacing his office as a storm of thoughts battered his mind. Had someone gotten to her? Had she been threatened? Was this because of Hallie? The hospital? Or had she blocked him for another reason—because she didn't want him in her life anymore?
No. That wasn't it. It couldn't be.
His hands curled into fists as he exhaled, trying to reel himself in, but it was useless. He needed to talk to her. He needed to make sure she was okay.
And if she wasn't?
God help whoever was responsible.
___________________________
Chase had just finished adjusting his tie when the door to his office swung open with a force that rattled the walls.
James Blackwood stood in the doorway, silver-haired, sharp-eyed, and furious.
"Care to explain why the medical board just called me, saying my son needs to be interviewed for an incident at Nexus?" his father demanded, his voice dangerously low.
Chase sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He had known this was coming.
"It's—complicated," he started.
James took a step inside, closing the door with slow, deliberate intent. "Then simplify it."
Chase exhaled sharply. "Hallie only wanted Emilia to treat her. She trusts her. She insisted. And since she's my fiancée, I... I helped convince Dr. Michaels to let Emilia take over her case."
Silence.
Chase swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his father's glare. "It wasn't a big deal—"
The slap came fast and sharp, snapping Chase's head to the side. His cheek burned instantly, the taste of iron hitting his tongue.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?!" James roared.
Chase clenched his jaw, not meeting his father's gaze.
"You manipulated hospital protocol. You interfered with medical assignments. You could have jeopardized Emilia's career! Or do you think the medical board is calling you in for a friendly chat?"
Chase's stomach sank. He had known it was bad, but hearing it out loud, seeing the sheer rage in his father's eyes, made it feel so much worse.
"Hallie was scared," Chase muttered. "She just wanted someone she trusted—"
"This isn't about what Hallie wanted! It's about ethics! About liability! You put the hospital, our family's name, on the line. Do you even understand what happens if they decide you abused your influence? If they decide Emilia violated professional boundaries?"
Chase pressed a hand to his cheek, forcing himself to breathe.
James shook his head, disgust flickering across his features. "You've set off a bomb, Chase. And you better pray to God you can contain the damage before it blows up in your face."
Chase's entire body felt heavy, the weight of his mistake settling deeper in his chest. He hadn't meant for things to get this bad. At the time, he hadn't even realized Hallie was pushing Emilia into the situation—he had just gone along with it, thinking it was harmless. Now, it was clear just how reckless that had been. He hated himself for it. Hated that Emilia was the one paying the price.
He couldn't let this ruin her. Not again. Not ever.
His fingers flexed at his sides as his father glared at him, waiting for a response.
"I'm going to fix this," Chase finally said, his voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside him. He met his father's sharp eyes with determination. "Now sit down and let's get this meeting going."
James Blackwood scoffed but finally took a seat, his expression still thunderous. He adjusted the cuff of his expensive watch, a habit Chase had grown up watching whenever his father was trying to reel in his temper.
The rest of the executives seated around the long mahogany table shifted uncomfortably, clearly aware of the tension in the room. Chase rolled his shoulders back, forcing himself to focus.
"Let's get to it," James said, voice clipped. "Kingsley Enterprises has just acquired another city. Which means, like it or not, they now own more than we do."
Chase didn't even pretend to consider the idea. "We obviously don't need the Kingsleys' help," he argued, arms crossing over his chest. His jaw set tight. "I think the Barretts will easily sell to us. I mean, I think we are far less scary."
James exhaled sharply, his fingers tapping against the wooden table. "Chase, this isn't about being scary. It's about strategy. Henry Kingsley might be cold-blooded, but he has influence. We need that."
Chase scoffed, already feeling the familiar weight of an impending headache pressing against his skull. In all honesty, he didn't give a damn about the Kingsleys or this business deal. He just wanted to drown in his sorrows with a beer in hand, letting the numbness take over. Another business dinner meant another round of forced smiles, stiff conversation, and bottomless glasses of whiskey. He had been drinking for the sake of business for so long that his stomach had started protesting against him.
But it wasn't just the alcohol. It was everything. The weight of what he had done. The way everything was unraveling faster than he could fix it.
And the worst part? The one person who could always make things better blocked him.
James shook his head. "You and Henry have been rivals for years, but don't let that blind you to what actually matters."
Chase exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
What actually mattered?
That was something he was still trying to figure out.
____________________________________
Hallie smirked at her reflection, turning slightly to the side as she ran a hand over her six-months-pregnant belly. Dressed in a sleek, off-the-shoulder black dress that hugged her figure in all the right places, she was the perfect picture of a glowing mother-to-be. The tabloids loved calling her "ethereal" these days, but she knew better.
She wasn't just glowing.
She was planning.
Tonight, she was going to get exactly what she wanted.
Chase had been blowing up her phone earlier, no doubt still desperate to keep her happy, to play hero like he always did. It was almost endearing—almost. He was her high school sweetheart, after all. She had loved him once, or at least, she had loved the way he looked at her. The way he made her feel like she was the center of the universe. But love only went so far.
Chase Blackwood was good for exactly two things: stability and money. And she had needed both.
He had always been willing to throw everything away for her—his morals, his reputation, even his common sense. And that kind of loyalty? That was hard to come by. Until Ryder.
Her lips curled slightly as she thought of him. Ryder was different. Ryder was fire and adrenaline and something she couldn't quite control, which both thrilled and infuriated her. If he ever got his act together, Chase wouldn't even be a blip on her radar.
But until then?
She would play the game.
Sabrina Rae, her best friend and fellow actress, sat at the vanity, lazily applying a fresh coat of gloss to her already perfect lips. "So, Ryder and Chase, huh?" she teased, her green eyes gleaming with amusement. "The tabloids are eating that mess up."
Hallie rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the way her lips curled into a devious smile. "Yeah, well, Chase hasn't made a statement yet, so let them speculate. Meanwhile, I've got my own plans for tonight."
Sabrina let out a dramatic sigh and flopped onto Hallie's bed. "I swear, girl, you are dangerous. Jason won't know what hit him."
Hallie grinned, adjusting the strap of her heels. "Good. That's exactly what I want."
Jason Kingsley—the hottest director of the next generation. He had an upcoming film with a role Hallie needed. And if she played her cards right tonight, she'd make sure he saw her as more than just another actress fighting for a part.
Sabrina had set everything up—drinks at the Tipsy Tortoise. The perfect setting to casually run into him, to get in his good graces.
Hallie strutted into the bar like she owned the place, her dress hugging her curves just enough to remind people why she had once been the industry's darling. Heads turned as she walked in, but she barely paid them any attention.
Sliding onto a barstool, she crossed her legs and signaled the bartender. "A Manhattan."
The bartender—a young guy with tired eyes and a shirt slightly wrinkled from a long shift—paused as he wiped down a glass. He glanced at her belly before raising an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"
Hallie's expression tightened. "I ordered a Manhattan."
The bartender exhaled through his nose, setting the glass down. "Sorry, ma'am. Can't serve alcohol to someone expecting."
A flicker of irritation crossed her features. She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping into that perfectly measured, subtly threatening tone she had mastered over the years. "Excuse me?"
The bartender didn't flinch. He simply gestured vaguely toward her stomach. "You're pregnant."
Hallie narrowed her eyes, her grip tightening on the edge of the bar. "Do you know who I am?"
The bartender met her stare, unimpressed. "Yeah."
Her lips parted in disbelief. "My friend owns this place. One call and you'll be out of a job."
The bartender, unfazed, slid a glass of ice water in front of her. "Okay. You do that."
A beat of silence stretched between them before Sabrina snorted from beside her, trying—and failing—to stifle her laugh.
Hallie exhaled sharply, snatching the glass and taking a sip, though the cool water did nothing to temper her irritation. She turned back to Sabrina, lowering her voice. "I really need this role, Sabs."
Sabrina tilted her head, finally sobering a little. "I know you do, babe. But you can't strong-arm your way into Hollywood. Well, you can, but not with Jason Kingsley."
Hallie exhaled sharply, her nails tapping against the bar. "Watch me."
_____________________________
Hours passed. The once-bustling crowd thinned, the music softened, and yet Jason Kingsley was nowhere to be seen. Hallie and Sabrina still sat at the bar, Hallie drumming her fingers against the counter in irritation.
Sabrina let out a loud groan, throwing her head back. "Are you kidding me? It's past three in the morning! Where the hell is he?"
Hallie clenched her jaw, glaring at her untouched glass of water. "This is one of his regular spots. He should've been here."
"Should've, could've, but clearly isn't." Sabrina sighed, stretching her arms dramatically. "I need my beauty sleep, babe, and this is not the glamorous night I signed up for."
Hallie scoffed. "Oh, shut up. You dragged me into this."
"And I will drag you out, too," Sabrina quipped, standing and stretching like a cat. "We'll do this another night. I promise I'll get Jason to come." Then she grinned mischievously, tapping Hallie's belly. "Just don't pop out that baby yet, otherwise, you know... desperate pregnant lady at a bar? Not exactly the Hollywood image you want."
Hallie rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the smirk pulling at her lips. "You're the worst."
"I know." Sabrina looped an arm through hers, leading her toward the exit. "Come on, let's go home before you threaten to fire another bartender."