She had no idea how Celeste was reacting on the other end of the line, but even as a bystander, she felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment for her.
After Jamison finished speaking, a heavy silence fell between them.
Celeste didn’t respond right away. It wasn’t because she didn’t want to–it was simply that she never dreamed Jamison would go so far, not even bothering to spare her a shred of dignity.
They’d trained under the same mentor. They’d known each other for years. Soon, they’d likely be working together in the same hospital. For the sake of all that, you’d think he’d show some restraint. But no–he was willing to burn every bridge, to tear through any pretense.
Humiliated and angry, Celeste finally snapped, her voice trembling with suppressed rage. “Jamison, that’s a horrible thing to say. Yes, I like you, but I’ve never let that get in the way of your life. Why do you have to be so aggressive–so cruel?”
“I have a wife and a family. The fact that you still have feelings for me is already crossing a line. And you’ve ignored hospital policy, causing problems for my family–how is that not interfering in my life?” His tone was cold, measured, but every word landed like a slap.
Because of her meddling, his own sister had been falsely accused, his wife had been cornered by his mother, and now their marriage was under the shadow of a three–year contract–thanks to Celeste, their relationship wore a shackle. When he thought of all the consequences, he wished she’d just vanish from his world entirely.
The only reason he was even talking to her now was out of respect for their shared history. Otherwise, he’d have cut her off long ago.
your
As Jamison pressed her harder, his words sharper with every sentence, Celeste finally panicked. Desperate, she tried to explain, stumbling over her words. “No, Jamison, that’s not what happened. It was all a misunderstanding. That d mother was just musing, saying something about how there’s no such thing as a perfect life, that every family has its own troubles. I assumed she already knew Miss Windsor was ill and couldn’t have children, so I casually mentioned her illness makes it difficult to get pregnant, that treatment would be complicated. Then your mother started asking me what was wrong, what illness I meant… That’s when I realized you’d kept it from her.”
In truth, Jamison didn’t have direct evidence. He knew Celeste was clever–if he
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confronted her head–on, she’d only dig in her heels and deny everything. So he’d
chosen to goad her instead, to provoke her until she lost her cool. And just as he expected, she’d blurted out the truth in a moment of anger.
When the confession sunk in, both sides fell into silence once more.
Celeste, finally regaining her composure, realized what she’d just admitted.
Jamison gave a cold, mocking laugh. “Weren’t you just playing dumb a moment ago?”
Celeste hesitated, but quickly tried to wriggle out of it. “But your mother is family, not a stranger. Even if I said something, it’s not exactly a breach of patient confidentiality.”
Jamison’s reply was calm but carried an unmistakable authority. “You shared private information about someone who wasn’t even your patient, and you did it without our permission. That’s a violation of privacy–maybe it’s time you took a refresher course on hospital policy.”
“Jamison, I-”
“And as for my mother’s condition, she has her own physician. You’re not her doctor. The fact that you went out of your way to curry favor–don’t tell me there wasn’t another motive.”
Celeste was left speechless.
Standing off to the side, Ivy shook her head with a sigh, privately mourning for her rival’s defeat.
With Celeste silenced, Jamison paused, then delivered his final verdict. “Given your violation of professional ethics and hospital policy, as well as the serious impact on my family, the hospital should handle this according to protocol. But out of respect for our shared training, I’m giving you the chance to resign voluntarily. I suggest you submit your request for a transfer as soon as possible.”
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Ivy’s face tightened in shock.