Chapter 34 – Aston #2
“You can have no illusions about why I wanted to watch you in that trauma or why I wanted to speak with you now,” he starts. “I’ve received some concerned complaints about your work lately.”
I lean against the counter, my hands on my hips. “Let me guess, they’re all from Josh Wesley.”
He neither confirms nor denies. “There’ve been reports of equipment issues only during your surgeries and at least three medication order errors.”
“I never made those errors,” I tell him bluntly. “And the equipment only failing for me and no one else should trigger other alarm bells for you than simply my performance.”
His dark eyebrows narrow, and he adjusts the sleeve on his expensive button-down shirt. “What are you implying?”
“That someone deliberately tampered with my surgical equipment and changed medication orders under my name.”
“That’s a serious accusation,” Weinberg says, dropping into one of the chairs and crossing his legs at the knee. “One that requires evidence.”
“I’m aware of that. It’s why I didn’t bring it to your attention yet.
” I take a deep breath, keeping my voice steady.
“I’d like the system logs checked for the medication changes.
Never in my professional career have I put in wrong orders like that.
Not ever. I’m meticulous with my work, and that goes into the OR as well. ”
“I checked the logs. It’s your credentials that logged in.”
My jaw hits the floor. “How is that possible? Someone must have my credentials. What sense would it make for me to place an order and then go in and change it? It had to be Dr. Wesley. He’s been after me from the moment I arrived.
As you know, I’m married to Skylar Davenport.
She’s Josh Wesley’s ex, and he hasn’t been shy about his dislike of me and his desire to win her back. ”
“He suggested personal issues in your life might be affecting your judgment.”
At least he admitted it was Josh who came to him.
“There is nothing wrong with my home life.”
“When I hired you, you were candid with me that your daughter was struggling emotionally after the loss of her mother and that, as a result, your priority was going to be her. Has that changed?”
“No,” I answer honestly. “It hasn’t. But she’s doing better and being with Skylar has helped her with that.
Regardless, Zoey is not why there were malfunctions with equipment, and she’s not why someone changed my med orders.
I’m being set up by a subordinate with a personal vendetta.
Check the system logs. Review the staff schedule for Dr. Wesley working on the same day I had malfunctions and changed orders. ”
After a long moment, he releases a sigh. A sigh that says he’s not at all interested in doing any of this. “We’ll investigate your claims,” he finally agrees. “In the meantime, I think it’s best if you take a few days off to regather yourself.”
The words hit like a physical blow. “You’re suspending me?”
“It’s PTO. Paid leave,” he clarifies. “Just until we sort this out.”
“And did you do this with Dr. Wesley?”
“We have no proof of your accusations, Aston, and patient safety is our priority.”
“Jesus Christ. This is unbelievable.”
Weinberg stands. “His allegations are strong, especially with proof of the issues.” He holds up his hand as I go to argue.
“The alternative is restricting you to supervised procedures and someone double-checking your orders, which would be noted in your permanent record. This way is cleaner. Take the leave, Dr. Hughes.”
I cover my mouth with my hand and breathe through my fingers as I try to process what’s happening. My career, the thing I’ve worked my entire adult life for and sacrificed almost everything for, is hanging in the balance because of a jealous ex who can’t let go.
And Skylar is caught in the middle of it. He’s doing whatever it takes to get rid of me and win her back. She’s carrying his child, even if he doesn’t know it yet.
I clench my jaw and give him one firm nod.
“Fine. I’ll take the rest of the week off.
But I expect a full investigation, or I’ll contact an attorney.
” With that, I leave, walking along the back of the ER to the elevator.
The doors of the surgical floor open, and I’m in no better shape than I was when I stepped on.
I have to find Skylar and tell her what happened. I have to get my stuff and leave the fucking hospital. There will be rumors about this. Hell, there already are. My reputation will forever be tarnished.
As if summoning Josh from my thoughts, I find him at the far end of the hall, just outside the PACU doors. He’s watching me with a barely concealed grin of satisfaction. He knows. I’m sure Weinberg told him this is what he’d do. Our gazes lock, and a strange sort of smirk curls up my lips.
I should feel afraid. I should feel defeated. And part of me does. But superseding all that is a strange calm that settles over me. He doesn’t know what he just started. If he thinks this will win him Skylar back, he’s in for a rude awakening. Skylar is mine.