Page 102 of Doctor’s Forbidden Match

I’m not okay. I’m being escorted out of my own hospital like a liability. My entire career is hanging by a thread, and the man holding it just told me my father predicted this. And somewhere across town, the woman I’ve been trying so hard to stay professional about is worried about me, and I can’t go back to her, and she can’t fix this, and neither can I right now.

But she’s thinking about me. That’s real.

Me: I’ve been suspended. I’m okay. Don’t worry about me.

I hit send and stand in the parking lot. The cameras still watch from across the street, and the security guards wait for me to leave.

I’m not fine.

But I will be. I’m going to make sure of it.

Chapter 34

Hannah

I’ve been checking my phone every chance I get. The morning on set feels too quiet without him. I’ve been filming for half an hour, and I don’t know exactly what they’re accusing him of, but every word of it is wrong. The guilt sits heavy in my chest. The thought makes me physically ill. But the show must go on, so I swallow it down. Everything is exactly the same, except the obvious absence of Zac. He’d usually be standing just off camera, ready to step in if I so much as stumble.

I miss him, and it’s only been a short time.

Dain corners me during a scene change, arms crossed, eyes hidden behind designer sunglasses.

“Were you the one who reported him?”

“No.” My hands clench at my sides. “Absolutely not. I would never—”

“Okay.” He holds up a palm, then nods slowly. “I believe you.”

Some of the tension drains from my shoulders.

“I’ve already spoken to Mr. Peltz and the network this morning.” He continues, glancing down at his tablet. “There’re no other doctors or nurses available to fill in. The hospital is already short-staffed. They can’t afford to lose another medical professional from their roster. We’ve only got a couple of weeks left to wrap filming anyway, just the kitchen, master bedroom, and then the final reveal. So the network agreed Karyn will help you around set.”

I nod, my mind already moving past the schedule. “So, what does that mean for him? While he’s not working?”

“That’s between him and Peltz.” He shrugs. “Right now, you need to focus on getting through these scenes.”

He walks away, leaving me standing there with my thoughts spiraling out of control.

My life continues relatively unaffected. I’m still here, filming and getting paid, while his entire career is falling apart, and the article makes it sound like it’s my fault. Who’s even pushing for this investigation?

The timing bothers me more than anything else. Something about it doesn’t add up, and I can’t let it go.

“Line?”

I’m standing in Jessa and Kejuan’s living room set when I’ve completely blanked on my cue. Karyn mimes the words from off-camera, but I don’t understand. Shame prickles at my neck.

“Take a break,” Dain shouts from behind the camera, his frustration obvious as his hand slices through the air. “Get your head back in the game. Clearly, the article has gotten to you.”

My cheeks flush hot. He’s right, and I hate that he’s right.

I duck my head, mumbling apologies to Karyn and the crew as I scoot off set. As I make my way back to my trailer, Karyn helps me up the steps. Inside, my hands tremble as I pick up my script from the counter. But when I try to read, the words blur together.

“Everything okay?” Karyn asks gently, setting a cup of green tea in front of me.

“Have you heard from him?” Jaina perches on the arm of the chair.

“How can we help?” Mia touches my shoulder, squeezing lightly.

I slump into the chair. “I don’t know what’s going on. But until I talk to him, I’m going to be rattled. I just… I have to get through today.” An idea forms underneath the panic. “And then I’m going to find out exactly who’s behind this. Because something about that article doesn’t make sense, and I’m not just going to sit here while his career falls apart over nothing.”