“Medicine never promises one hundred percent,” I interrupt.
“It’s time I step up and attempt to solve this problem,” Langston says.
“Cormac, you’ll have a full-time schedule next semester, and my daughter deserves a husband she loves, one who stays home with her at night. Not out risking his life,” Ford adds.
My eyes stray to Scarlett, who just keeps staring atRamses. When my eyes go between them, he looks at my wife.
“Scarlett,” he says. “I want to extend an apology to you, too. After that horrific scene at the award ceremony, I dragged Pierce into my office and demanded to know what the hell was going on. I could immediately tell I was being gaslit. I pulled the cameras from his apartment. I saw him strike you.”
“What?”Ford says, looking furious. “Scarlett, you didn’t tell me that. Ramses, that son of yours…”
“My son is being disciplined, Bradley. I assure you.” He gestures for Brad to calm down. “He’s been removed from his position at the practice, a job I got for him. As well as the boards he sits on. One of my men is in charge of setting him straight.”
“Ronan Castro?” I ask.
Langston smiles. “Ronan spoke highly of you, Dr. O’Rourke. How you handled the situation at Scarlett’s apartment when Pierce used undue influence to convince the management she had been neglectful. How you stepped up to take care of the woman my son failed.”
I give Scarlett a nod. It’s better to accept a Langston apology than get in his way.
“Thank you, Dr. Langston,” she says. “I appreciate you offering that apology for Pierce.”
“My son also confessed to bribing some admin at your bank. You’ll get a message by tomorrow morning that your funds have been restored.”
“Ford, have that money granted to someone else in a scholarship,” I say. “Someone who needs the money. I’m covering my wife’s education.”
“That’s considerate of you,” Ford says. “I’ll have my assistant take care of that.” Then he moves to his daughter. “Please don’t ever keep that kind of information from me again, Scarlett.”
“There will never be any abuse of her in my home,” I say sternly. “But Scarlett, your father is right. I’m not perfect. You can always talk to your father if we have differences. I’m man enough to face him.”
I glance at Harrow and give a small sigh. The man had one daughter, and he lost her. There is no happy ending for him. Only an elusive peace that I hope he finds one day. The way I did.
With Scarlett tucked under my arm, I watch Harrow, Ford, and Langston each carry out a bin. Tools of death I never want to see again.
I’m returning to the business of saving lives, and that includes teaching future minds what I know, so that one day, they too will save lives.
The door closes, and Scarlett smiles at me.
The weight of keeping this secret is lifted. It’s not my fight anymore. I can have peace while men more powerful take over. I tried playing God, and it didn’t work out too well for me.
Yet, when I was starting over, I found the love of my life.
Epilogue
Cormac – One Week Later
“She’s here,” Scarlett says, checking her hair in the microwave’s reflection.
Insecurity has me looking at everything in my apartment with a critical eye. A soft rug in the living room over the wood floor, anything breakable out of reach, every possible sharp corner bubble wrapped, and every electrical socket covered. Is there more I could have done? Are parents ever really prepared?
The front door buzzes, and after giving my wife a nod, she opens it. Her friendly greeting to Ana calms my heart.
Ana walks into my kitchen, J.P.’s carrier cradled against her hip like it’s an extension of her body. She was made for motherhood. She does it in that flawless and sexy way.
Her dark coat is tailored to perfection. The ice blonde hair pulled back in a sleek knot shows she’s tough. Two guards linger several steps behind her, close enough to remind her she’s protected. Far enough to give the illusion of privacy.
Scarlett and Ana trade double cheek kisses, and my ex does the same to me.
“Here he is,” Ana says softly, and sets the carrier down on the kitchen table, but brushes her fingers over his cheek before stepping back.