Chapter 1

I landed three major projects for the hospital and dominated the surgical volume rankings for five years straight.

After my wife, Susan Miller, became director, she handed the promotion opportunity to her childhood friend.

She said, "He doesn't have much experience, so he needs this chance more. You can get promoted next time; it's all the same."

I didn't argue but accepted the invitation from the competing hospital.

Right before I left, Susan thought I was sulking.

She said, "Come on, stop it. I'll definitely promote you next time."

I never told her that the folks from the other hospital were already waiting for me downstairs.

The offer letter in my hand was about to turn the medical world upside down.

*****

"The list is out." The head nurse handed her phone to me.

I glanced at the screen.

Leo Carter's name was right there under the deputy director candidates.

"What qualifications does he have?" she whispered. "He's only been here two years."

I handed the phone back without saying a word.

This spot was supposed to be mine.

I've been the hospital's top surgeon for five years running. I spearheaded all three major projects myself.

I pushed open the office door. There was a notice on my desk. [The health department is coming for an evaluation next month, and the deputy director candidates have to present their cases.]

I gripped the notice so hard my knuckles turned pale.

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," I said.

It wasn't anyone. It was my wife, Susan, the new director.

She was wearing a white coat and holding a cup of coffee.

"Did you see the list?" she asked.

"Yeah," I replied.

"Leo doesn't have much experience, so he needs this chance more," she said flatly. "Next time, you'll get your turn. It's no different."

I didn't say anything.

"Everyone in the hospital knows how skilled you are," she said, setting the coffee down on my desk. "Leo is different. I practically raised him. I owe him this."

I stared at the coffee. Steam curled up from the cup.

"He hasn't led three surgeries," I said.

"That's exactly why he needs the chance," Susan said, frowning. "You've been a key member for years. Don't you have any sense of the bigger picture?"

Big picture, huh? I swallowed my words.

"Fine," I finally said.

Susan looked surprised, clearly not expecting me to agree so easily.

"Show him the ropes for now," she said, her tone softening. "Help him get his presentation materials ready."

I looked up at her. "Who's going to help me with my materials?"

Susan avoided my gaze. "I have a meeting. We'll talk about it when we get home tonight." She turned to leave.

The door closed behind her.

The office fell silent.

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling.

Five years ago, she wasn't the director yet.

Back then, she'd wait for me outside the operating room, waiting for me to finish, clutching a takeout box.

She'd say, "You look awesome when you're the lead surgeon."

Now she said, "You can get promoted next time. It's all the same."

I pulled open the drawer.

At the very bottom, there was a letter pressed flat.

I fished it out and gave it a look.

There was a knock at the door.

"Dr. Shaw," someone called out.

It was Victor Lewis from the department next door.

"What's up?" I asked.

He leaned in. "Did you hear? Harmony Medical Center got a new director. They're poaching people."

I didn't say anything.

"Word is, they're offering twice the salary," he whispered. "With your skills, of course, they'd want you."

I looked down at the letter.

It was from Harmony Medical Center, sent three days ago.

Signed by the director, Charles Grant.

I still hadn't replied.

"Dr. Shaw?" Victor called out.

I put the letter back in the drawer.

"If you leave, the whole hospital will blow up," Victor sighed. "You're the anchor of our surgical team."

I didn't say anything.

He left.

I locked the door, took the letter out, and read it over.

The offer spelled it out clear as day. Deputy director, lead surgeon, twice the pay, and leading my own team.

The terms were ten times better than what Susan gave Leo.

I put the letter away.

My phone buzzed.

It was a message from Susan. [Don't work late tonight. Come home for dinner. Dad is coming over.]

I stared at the screen for three seconds.

Replied with a single word. [Okay.]