Chapter 81 Chapter 0081
•CASSANDRA•
When I arrived at work with Dante in the morning, we were given a working schedule for the day. I was utterly defeated when I found out I was paired with Amelia.
I felt like screaming because we didn't get along at all. She was just as annoyed as I was when she found out we would be in each other's faces all day, pretending to get along.
We didn't say anything to each other as we went to attend to our first patient.
Mr. Henley was sixty-one years old and had been admitted two days ago with recurring abdominal pain that the initial workup had not fully explained.
I had ordered additional imaging that morning and was walking Amelia through my preliminary findings when the door in the wardroom opened.
I didn't look up immediately.
"The pain presents in concentrated episodes," I said, keeping my eyes on the chart. "Lasting between twenty and forty minutes each time. But I want to rule out—"
"Dr. Frost."
Dr. Langford's voice. I looked up.
He was standing in the doorway with his usual pleasant administrative energy, and beside him was Damon.
"I hope we aren't interrupting," Dr. Langford continued. "Mr. Drake and I are just doing our rounds around the hospital."
"We were just finishing a review," I replied. "Do you need something?"
Damon's gaze moved to Mr. Henley in the bed and then to the chart in my hand. "What seems to be the problem with him?"
I opened my mouth to respond.
"Recurring abdominal episodes," Amelia answered quickly. "Concentrated pain lasting up to forty minutes. Dr. Frost has ordered additional imaging to rule out a functional gastrointestinal cause, but we are also considering whether there's a referred pain component from the lower thoracic region."
I looked at her.
And I almost laughed when I saw the way she was looking at Damon. She was trying by all means to impress him, but if she knew it wouldn't take so much work to get Damon into her bed, she wouldn't have bothered herself.
"Sounds like you have it well in hand," Dr. Langford said approvingly, looking at Amelia. "Thank you, Dr. Hart."
After they left, Amelia avoided eye contact and I rolled my eyes and wished for the day to end already.
I was drained by the time I finally got some time to myself and went to my office.
I set the chart down on my desk and stood at the window for a moment, pressing the tension out of my shoulders before sitting down to update my notes.
I had been typing for less than four minutes when the door opened without a knock.
I didn't look up. "This is a closed office."
"The door was unlocked," Damon replied. He walked in and closed the door behind him.
I set my hands flat on the desk and looked at him. "When are you leaving?"
He looked at me with mild amusement. "Good morning to you as well, sister."
"When are you leaving, Damon?" I repeated.
He moved to the chair across from my desk and sat down without being invited, crossing one leg over the other.
"I told Dr. Langford I would stay for at least six months," he replied. "Possibly longer, depending on how the supply arrangement develops."
"Six months?"
"Goldenmane Court has significant medical resources," he continued. "Compounds and treatments that have been developed outside of standard human pharmaceutical channels. Things that work, Cassandra. I want to share that with the world if I can. This hospital is a reasonable place to begin."
"If that is genuinely all you are here for—" I answered. "Then we have nothing to discuss. Do your work and stay out of mine."
He studied me for a moment and scoffed. Then he uncrossed his leg and stood up.
"Our uncle would find it hard to believe that you've made yourself a household name in California," he muttered. "Almost every news channel speaks of your wonders and the thousands of people you've healed."
I looked at him and didn't answer.
"Well, see you around, baby sister," he said as he headed to the door and left.
I sighed after the door had closed behind him, and tried to convince myself that no one, and not even Damon, would ruin the life I had worked so hard for.
I gave myself two minutes. Then I gathered the files I needed for my next consultation, stood up, and walked to the door.
I pulled it open and walked directly into Amelia.
We both stepped back. She recovered first, and straightened her back.
"Dr. Frost," she scoffed.
"Amelia," I replied, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.
"You seem to attract a great deal of male attention, Dr. Frost," she said, her voice low. "Mr. Drake barely looked away from you in that ward room. Mr. Thorne is taking you to lunch." She smiled. "It's quite the collection."
"Is there something you needed, Amelia?" I asked.
She looked at me for a long moment before answering. "You are nothing but a whore. Chasing after every man who pays you the smallest attention. It is embarrassing to watch, honestly. For someone of your professional standing."
"Are you done?"
"You're not ashamed, are you?" She scoffed. "Dante would be disappointed to know the kind of men you're constantly flirting with."
"If you stopped watching everything I do, maybe you'd get the same attention from the men who like you," I sneered before I walked past her and left.