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Chapter 8 - Chapter 08

Gina was still standing in the small apartment's living room, dazed, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened when the new phone buzzed. Then again. And again.

It didn't stop.

She grabbed it from the table and unlocked it, there was no code registered, only to be met with a flood of notifications. The screen lit up with pings from a chat group titled Huntley Clinic HQ.

Patient ETA 20 mins: deep laceration, possible nerve involvement.

Need backup for minor gunshot wound, shoulder. Clinic 2.

Surgeon confirms internal bleed. Prep OR.

@DrGina is now added to emergency dispatch loop.

Her eyebrows shot up.

"Okay…" she whispered, scrolling through the messages. It was like being dropped right into the ER of a trauma unit, except this one didn't operate by hospital protocol. It was faster. No filters. No hesitation. Every message was urgent, every name redacted but clinical.

Then a different notification popped up. A private message.

Welcome, Dr. Gina. You are now officially an in-house physician for Huntley Corporation. Your role will involve day-to-day medical care of Huntley personnel, including injury management, trauma support, and surgical assistance.

Another message followed seconds later:

To be in full understanding: you're now an in-house doctor contracted by the Huntley Corporation for their corporate employees and VIP clientele. You'll be working at their private clinic and assisting with special procedures.

Your ID badge is stored in the phone's digital wallet. Scan it at all entrances. Clinic security will recognize your credentials.

Additionally, you are required to complete surgical specialization. You will now work twice a week at the local hospital, shadowing our senior surgical team and gaining hands-on experience. This counts toward board certification and your salary reflects this.

Gina blinked. Salary?

As if on cue, another ping lit the screen:

Your new salary is $27,500/month.

(Base: $17,500, consistent with U.S. physician averages. Additional $10,000 for discretion, loyalty, and availability.)

Her jaw dropped.

Six figures. Every month.

Gina sat down slowly, her heart hammering against her ribs. It wasn't just good money… it was life changing!

And then came the final message:

We are aware you are pregnant. Based on your symptoms and no visible signs, we estimate early stages. The clinic will assign you a private rest suite for breaks as needed. We look after our own.

So Adrian has already alerted them of her pregnancy.

Before she could spiral further, the apartment door opened, and Tess walked in carrying two white plastic bags of Chinese food, the aroma of soy, sesame, and ginger immediately filling the room.

"Girl, you won't believe how many times Marcus tried calling me today," Tess said, dropping the bags on the table. "He's completely losing his mind."

Gina smiled faintly. "Yeah… I figured."

Tess reached into the bag. "Did you block him?"

"No. Just… muted him." Gina rubbed her temples, then reached for a chopstick packet. "Also, I got a job."

Tess looked up, eyebrows rising. "Wait, what?"

"Yeah. In-house doctor for the Huntley Corporation."

Tess dropped her chopsticks. "Are you serious? The Huntley building? That big-ass skyscraper that looks like it's trying to compete with heaven? Girl, they don't just hire people. I heard you need, like, a six-star CV and recommendations from the President."

Gina laughed awkwardly, reminding herself to stick to the script. "I think they were just in desperate need for a doctor and overheard I was job hunting? I'll mostly be looking after their execs and staff for basic care, nothing too wild. Plus, I'm training under a surgeon part-time."

Tess whistled. "Damn. Do they need a receptionist? I'll take my bra off and apply right now."

Gina snorted. "Please keep your bra on. But yeah… it's legit. They've got a good setup."

She quickly shifted the subject, pulling out her personal phone and showing Tess the banking notification from Marcus.

"Also… look what the enemy sent me."

Tess's eyes bulged. "25 000 dollars?! What is he trying to do, bribe his way back into your soul?"

They both burst into uncontrollable laughter, the kind that made their stomachs hurt. The tension of the day began to melt in the comfort of shared food, jokes, and the ridiculousness that was Marcus.

Later that night, Gina sat on the edge of her bed, both phones beside her, as she debated.

Call Marcus or not?

She exhaled. Then picked up her personal phone and hit "Call."

He answered almost instantly. "Finally. You ignoring me now?"

Gina leaned back against the headboard. "Hi, Marcus. I see time hasn't cooled you down."

"You think this is a game?" he snapped. "Who the hell is that guy who answered your phone earlier? What was that?"

"My colleague," she said, with a yawn in her voice. "I was on rounds and he was nearby. He answered because the phone wouldn't stop ringing and they already know the something of our messy story. So if they treat you like a villain, don't be shocked."

He was quiet for a second.

"…I'm sorry, okay?" he finally said. "I just, if I'd known you were pregnant, I never would've married Jessica."

"Well, you did. And now you're legally married and I'm legally moving on. You know… Jessica knew about our baby, but I'm not shocked she didn't tell you."

"She didn't tell me anything about a baby," he said bitterly.

"Funny. She was with me when I took the test," Gina said, voice sharp as glass. "She knew. She watched me panic in the bathroom and said she'd help me figure it out. But I guess 'help' meant marrying you and hoping I'd disappear."

He sucked in a breath. "You're lying."

"I'm not. And I think deep down, you know she's not as sweet as she pretends to be."

Silence crackled across the line.

"Look, Marcus," she said. "You've lost access to me. And that includes this baby. I don't trust you. Not anymore."

He cursed under his breath. "You're crazy if you think I'm going to be a deadbeat father. You don't get to make that decision alone. I'll find you. I will bring you both back home."

She didn't respond.

Instead, she pressed the red button and let the silence speak for itself.

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