Chapter 5 - The Medical Guardian
Back at the hospital that afternoon, the quiet sanctuary of the postpartum wing was broken by a sudden commotion in the hallway. Michael had driven straight from the office, his rage entirely unchecked as he pushed past the nursing desk.
"Catherine!" he roared through the glass partitions. "You think you can ruin my career? You think you can take my company? I built that name!"
He reached for the handle of my room, but before his fingers could touch the metal, a tall figure stepped into his path.
Dr. Daniel Brooks stood there, still wearing his dark blue surgical scrubs, his rain coat gone, his face a wall of absolute authority. He didn't look angry; he looked entirely immovable.
"Step away from the door, sir," Dr. Brooks said, his voice low and incredibly steady.
"Get out of my way, doctor," Michael snarled, trying to look over Daniel’s shoulder. "That's my wife and my kid in there. I have a legal right to see my daughter."
"As the chief attending physician for this wing, my primary responsibility is the physical and psychological safety of my patients," Dr. Brooks replied, not moving an inch. "Ms. Vance is currently recovering from an extremely traumatic labor. Your presence is causing an immediate spike in her vitals. If you do not leave this floor in five seconds, I will have hospital security detain you for creating a medical hazard."
Michael sneered, looking Daniel up and down. "You're just a doctor. You don't know who you're messing with. I can have your medical license reviewed by the board by tomorrow morning."
Dr. Brooks let out a quiet, dry laugh that carried no humor at all. "My family’s foundation funded the entire West Wing of this medical center, Mr. Harrison. If you want to talk to the board, I can call the chairman right now. He’s my uncle. Now, leave my floor."
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Michael’s jaw dropped. He looked through the small glass window of my door, seeing me holding Chloe tightly against my chest, with Rachel standing guard at the foot of the bed. He realized, with a sudden, sickening clarity, that he no longer possessed the power to intimidate anyone in my world.
He turned on his heel and walked toward the elevators, his expensive leather shoes squeaking loudly against the sterile linoleum floor.
