Page 93 of Accidental Doctor Daddy
My pulse spiked. “What is it?”
She looked alarmed, gesturing down the hall. “It’s Dr. Boddington. He’s hurt—again. He’s in the breakroom, bleeding!”
A surge of adrenaline hit me. “Damn it,” I muttered, already picturing the old codger. He was on blood thinners for a heart condition, and the last time he’d tried to pop the tab on asoda, he’d sliced his fingers enough to leave half the breakroom spattered red. “I’m coming.”
I sprinted behind her, ignoring the way my heart thumped.Seriously, that man needs a caretaker just to handle soda cans.It was early—no reason for him to be slicing anything else. Maybe he’d discovered a new method of injuring himself.
The breakroom door loomed, and I shoved it open, calling, “Dr. Boddington, where?—”
A roar of voices erupted, nearly stopping me in my tracks. “Surprise!”
Pink confetti rained down, and I almost tripped on the threshold. The entire room was decked in pastel balloons, streamers, and an obnoxious banner that read, “Congratulations on the twins, Dr. Mortoli!”
Seth Bowan stood at the center of it all, beaming like the cat that ate the canary.
I blinked, mind reeling.What the fuck is this?
My adrenaline soared in the wrong direction, half from confusion, half from noticing the array of hospital administrators crammed in the corners, sipping punch and smiling politely.
Ah. That’s why.
Seth clapped his hands loudly, stepping forward. “Dr. Mortoli! So glad you could join us. Heard about your babies—figured we’d celebrate properly.”
My eyes flicked to the cluster of suits near the donut table. They were sipping coffee, observing the goings-on. Noting every glance, every ounce of judgment in their eyes.
My pulse pounded. “Uh,” I said, forcing my best professional grin, “this is…wow. Didn’t see this coming.”
Seth grinned with pure malice in his eyes. “I know.”
Dr. Boddington himself wasn’t bleeding at all—he stood off to the side, guffawing with a soda in hand.Great, so they used him as bait.
Seth clapped a friendly hand on my shoulder, turning me toward the administrators. “We just wanted to show our support, you know? It’s not every day a surgeon juggles newborns and work—especiallytwoof them.”
There is a kind of strain that comes with not sleeping. An all-over muscular tension that leaves you aching by the end of the day. Then there’s the kind of strain that your body undergoes when you’re doing everything in your power not to punch someone’s lights out.
Today, I felt both.
I felt the muscles in my jaw tighten, but I maintained the outward veneer of composure. “Right,” I said, scanning the bright pink and blue decor. Some folks had gathered baby gifts, presumably. A stuffed giraffe perched on a far table laden with pastel presents. The thing was massive, and it stared me down as much as Seth did. “Thanks, Dr. Bowan,” I managed. “This is thoughtful.”
His lips twitched in a smug smile. “Of course. Anything for a colleague. After all, we know you’ll be needing extra time off soon, with…special needs, right? Better to celebrate while you still can.”
My heartbeat hammered, rage flaring at his insinuation. “My daughters are perfectly healthy,” I said evenly, forcing a small laugh. “No special needs, no complications.”
Seth’s eyes flicked to the administrators. “Oh? But newborn premature twins require a lot of care. We understand if you’re, ah, stepping back from certain responsibilities.”
I forced a chuckle that tasted like bile. “Oh, I’m not stepping back at all,” I said lightly. “I’ve got top-notch help at home, and everything’s under control.”
Roxanne Weiss cleared her throat. “Dom, we’re delighted about your new additions, of course. But Seth mentioned you might need extended paternity leave. There’s no harm in ensuring you’re not overextending yourself.”
A bald-faced lie and we all knew it.
I plastered on a polite smile, ignoring the knot of anger in my gut.Well played, Seth.
The man was a snake, orchestrating a “baby shower” to publicly corner me. “I appreciate the concern,” I said smoothly. “But I assure you, I’m handling everything just fine. The twins have a nanny, and their mother is a fantastic partner. I am just as focused on the hospital as I ever was.”
Seth’s grip on my shoulder tightened in a show of camaraderie that felt more like a threat. “Yes, well, we all know you have your hands full—twopremature newborns, a busy schedule…just wanted you to know we respect your decision when you decide it’s too much.”
Not if I decide it’s too much.When.
