He Begged Me to Let Him Go, Now He’s Begging to Come Back Chapter 04

The medical affairs office was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Dr. Miller sat behind his desk, his brow furrowed.

Greg was on the couch, his hands clasped in front of him, his expression serious. Linda sat nearby, looking entirely too pleased with herself.

I stood by the window and watched the cars move through the intersection below.

“Dr. Carter,” Miller said finally, tapping his pen against the desk. “Ms. Hayes has accused you of accepting a seventy-thousand-dollar cashier’s check from Mr. Thornton last night. Do you have anything to say?”

I turned around. Before I could speak, Greg jumped in. “Dr. Miller, this is all a misunderstanding.”

He stood and walked toward me, his voice dripping with sincerity. “The money was my idea.”

“Dr. Carter and I go way back. I knew she might be having some financial difficulties, so I wanted to help an old friend. She never asked for a cent.”

I watched Greg’s face, so full of false concern. He was saying he was helping me, but every word made me look more guilty.

If I went along with him, if I admitted I was having financial trouble and accepted his money, I would become exactly what Linda accused me of.

A woman who took bribes. A woman who could never hold her head up again.

“Greg.” I said his name quietly. “Are you sure that money was your idea?”

Greg looked at me. Something flickered in his eyes. Warning.

He dropped his voice. “Emily, don’t be stubborn. Just apologize to Linda. Tell her you borrowed the money from me. I’ll explain everything to Dr. Miller.”

He leaned closer. “You worked too hard to get here. Don’t throw it all away because of your pride.”

He was sure I would fold. He had always been sure. He had been sure I would fold when he cut his wrist and held the divorce papers in front of me.

He had spent his whole life assuming he could control mine.

I looked at him and let a small, cold smile cross my lips. “Mr. Thornton. Do you really think I’m still the same Emily Carter you used to manipulate?”

Greg’s jaw tightened. “I’m trying to help you.”

The door opened.

The hospital director walked in, accompanied by several people in business suits.

Dr. Miller jumped to his feet. “Dr. Harrison. I didn’t expect you to handle this personally.”

Dr. Harrison ignored him. He walked straight to me, and his face broke into a warm smile.

“Dr. Carter. I’m so sorry you’ve been put through this.”