Chapter 31
Regan
Mason’s called into surgery the next morning, so I keep myself busy on the ward, making rounds and reviewing charts that don’t need checking.
I need the distraction.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me out of my head. An unknown number, again.
I step away from the nurses’ station to answer it. “Hello?”
A woman’s voice comes through, calm and polite. “Hi, this is Janine from the New York City Hospital HR department.”
My heart stutters. What? I grip the phone tighter, shifting my weight as my brain tries to catch up. “Uh, hi...”
“We were wondering if you'd be interested in finishing your residency here with us,” she says. “One of our residents had to begin maternity leave unexpectedly early, and we're suddenly down a person.”
I blink at the glass doors across the ward, not seeing anything as my heart clenches. “I-I’m not supposed to start for another few months.”
“Yes, and we understand that. But given your prior acceptance and how highly your name came up in department meetings, we thought we'd check. Would you be open to it?”
Am I open to it?
Of course I am.
It’s my dream job.
After yesterday, maybe leaving now is better for both of us before either of us falls into deeper feelings.
I glance back at the ward. At the space where Brant should be.
At everything I haven’t let myself feel too deeply.
Knowing he’ll move on from me and have a clean slate with the chief position, and my dad not breathing down his neck.
“I’d love to,” I say. “I just don’t know if I’m allowed to break my current contract yet.”
“You’re welcome to call me back once you’ve confirmed,” she says kindly. “I actually did speak to your father already… Dr. Fraser Thomas?”
I swallow hard. “Yes. That’s him.”
“He said it would be fine for you to go, but I think it’s best if the two of you talk it over. I know this is sudden, and I’m sorry to drop it on you like this. We just really don’t want to leave the position vacant for too long.”
“No, I understand completely. I’ll speak to him and get back to you as soon as I can.”
“Thank you, Regan.”
“Of course. I’ll be in touch.” I hang up and stare at my phone screen, breathing shallow, fingers tingling. This should feel like the best moment of my life.
Instead, it feels like heartbreak.
I head to dad’s office, finding him hunched over paperwork. The late afternoon light peeks through the curtains, catching on his frame, and he seems older. “Dad?”
He looks up, and his eyebrows pinch into that expression he wears when he’s trying to read me. “Regan. Come in, sit down.”
I close the door behind me and sit down in the chair. “New York HR called you,” I say. It’s not a question.
He nods, dropping his paper and leaning back in his chair. “She did. She wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be any problems if they offered you the position earlier.”
“And what did you tell her?” I already know he approved breaking my contract, but I need to hear what else he said. If he tried to talk them out of it. If he wants me to stay.
His expression softens, pride shining in his eyes. “That you’re an exceptional doctor and any hospital would be lucky to have you. And if this is what you want, then I wouldn’t stand in your way.”
My throat swells; he’s really letting me go. I look down at my hands clutched in my lap. “It’s what I want. It’s everything I’ve worked toward.”
“But?” he asks softly, leaning forward slightly.
How do I tell him that leaving means losing Brant? That I’ve finally found someone who makes me feel seen, and now I have to walk away from it?
“I don’t know if I’m ready to leave. Not now with us just getting to know each other again. And this place, I’m finally finding my feet here, and now they want me to just drop everything and go.”
Dad watches me, his fingers strumming along the chair arms. “I’ll miss having you here and at home, but watching you grow into a doctor and woman you’ve become?
That’s been the greatest second chance anyone has ever given me.
You can come back for a vacation; you’re only three hours away.
I expect regular calls. Updates on how you’re settling in, who you’re working with.
” The fact he’s giving me his blessing makes it harder.
But there’s one thing I can’t let go of.
“What if I’m not ready to go?” To leave Brant…
“What if you are? Don’t worry about the hospital. We’ll be fine.”
The hospital… not Brant. Because dad doesn’t know. He can’t.
I nod. “I know.”
“When do you need to give them an answer?”
“The sooner the better.”
He stands, coming around the desk to sit on the edge of it, closer to me. His voice softer now, almost fatherly in a way that makes my heart coil. “It’s been your dream. Don’t live with regret. Follow your heart.”
I wish it was that easy.
Brant and I made an agreement. A casual bit of fun. Then I’ll go back to the city, he stays here, and nobody gets hurt.
The problem is, I think I’m already hurt.
And if I’m leaving, then I need to make sure Brant gets what he deserves.
“One thing I have to ask, please give Dr. Harrison the chief position. Dr. Gould is great, but there’s no comparison. Dr. Harrison is the better choice.”
Dad stares at me for a long moment. I’m expecting a lecture about mixing personal feelings with professional decisions and overstepping boundaries.
Instead, I get a simple nod.
“I know,” he says quietly. “I’ve been thinking the same thing.”
When I get back to Dad’s house, I drop my bag on my bed. I should feel excited. This is everything I’ve worked for. But I feel numb. I pull out my phone to call Mom. Maybe hearing her excitement will remind me why this matters.
“Regan. Hi, honey.”
“Hey, Mom. I have news…” I force excitement into my voice.
I tell her all about today. The job offer. Talking to Dad. Everything.
She squeals. “This is amazing. I’m so proud of you. We can finally spend time together again.”
Her enthusiasm pours through the phone, but I can’t match it.
“Yeah, it’ll be great.”
“Regan? Are you okay? You don’t sound—”
“I’m fine, Mom. Dinner’s getting cold. I should go.”
It’s true. Dad’s heating leftovers in the kitchen for us. And I can’t stay on the line with her any longer; otherwise, she’ll figure it out. She always does.
“Oh. Okay. Well, call me tomorrow? We can talk about when you’re arriving.”
“I will. Love you.”
“I love you too.”
I hang up and stare at the phone, wondering if I should call Brant.
What do I say?
Do you want me to stay? Does this change anything? Did any of it mean anything to you, or was I the only one catching feelings?”
But Dad’s here, and even if he wasn’t, what’s the point? Brant and I agreed this was casual.
Calling him now would only make it harder. I tuck my phone in my pocket and head into the kitchen.
Everyone files into the meeting room.
The air is heavy with tension; only quiet whispering can be heard. No one’s saying anything outright, but I know what they’re speculating. I’ve kept my mouth shut, tight-lipped, chin up, pretending everything’s fine.
But it’s not.
Brant’s not here yet.
I sit two rows from the front, twisting my fingers together in my lap. Every time the door creaks open, I snap my head around like a desperate idiot.
It’s not him.
Again.
God, this is pathetic. I’m leaving. This is what we agreed on.
Then, finally, Brant walks in.
His eyes find mine across the room for half a second, unreadable, before he looks away and takes a seat.
My heart drops. I stare at the back of his head, trying not to. But I can’t help it. He won’t even look at me. He’s unusually still, eyes fixed forward.
When my dad steps to the front, he clears his throat. His voice slices through the low murmurs.
“Thank you all for coming,” he begins, nodding to the room. “I know we’ve taken some time to finalize this, and I appreciate your patience. The decision for Chief of Pediatrics wasn’t an easy one, not because we didn’t have worthy candidates, but because we had more than one.”
I glance around. Mason’s shoulders are tight, and his jaw is clenched.
“But one name kept rising to the top.” Dad continues.
“Someone whose dedication to his patients and team, whose calm leadership under pressure, and whose tireless work ethic stood out, time and time again. I’m proud to announce that the position of Chief of Pediatrics will go to… Dr. Brant Harrison.”
Applause erupts around the room.
I barely hear it.
Brant rises slowly, and just before he moves toward the front, he looks over his shoulder at me.
I smile genuinely. My eyes sting, glassy with emotion. Pride swells in my chest. He deserves every bit of this. Seeing him stand there, hearing his name called, makes leaving just a little easier.
He’ll have his dream role to focus on. I’ll have… New York. The future I’ve been planning for years.
He shakes my dad’s hand, pulls him into a brief, respectful shoulder-pat, then steps forward to address the room.
“Thank you. This means more than I can say. I never expected this when I first came to Pulse Point Medical Center. I just wanted to be part of a good team. And I’ve been lucky; I’ve had a great one.”
His gaze drifts somewhere past the crowd, but not to me.
“And I know I push hard. I know I expect a lot, but it’s because this matters. Because you all matter. And the kids matter most.” He pauses, his eyes locking on mine, and there’s gratitude there. “Thank you.”
It hits me harder than I expect. Like he’s thanking me too. Even though he won this on his own merit.
The backs of my eyes sting again, but I blink hard, holding it in. They’re happy tears. That’s what I tell myself.
But if they’re happy… why does my chest ache?
We filter out of the room, everyone murmuring congratulations. I let the others surround Brant while I quietly head back to work.
Mason is reviewing charts, looking a little deflated but keeping it together.