“What the actual—? You’re joking, right?” His voice is sharp, rattled, disbelief cutting through the room. Abbot, arms crossed, shrugs. “Yeah… I saw that coming,” he says to Dana, like he’s been waiting for this moment.

“Robinavitch, is this how you’re running the hospital now?” the HR lady says, standing behind you, arms folded. Dana tries to say something, but the HR holds up her hand to stop her. “Robinavitch,” she repeats, narrowing her eyes.

“No,” he says, voice tight.

“That was a good slap,” she tells you, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Now run along.”

“I’m not done with him,” you mutter, chest still tight.

“I understand that,” she says, but her tone softens. “We have a handful of people who need our help right now. Catch what I’m saying?” You nod, feeling a tad embarrassed, glancing back at Robby, who looks pissed—fuming, jaw tight, you look away .

Dana gives you a small, proud smile as you walk back toward them, like she’s silently cheering you on. The HR lady just shakes her head, amused, as you settle back into the flow of work, the sting of the slap still buzzing in the air.

You were finishing up your chart when Dr. Abbot walks up, handing you the chart from your other patients. “Well,” he says, “you’ve been holding back on us.” You chuckle. “After everything that happened earlier with Dana and Mohan… I just… it got to me,” you say.

“You know he could’ve sent you home for that, right?” he asks. “I know,” you say. “He still got time to,” you add. “But he won’t,” you finish, shaking your head with a small smile.

You’re finishing up your chart when he appears behind you, warm breath brushing your ear.

“I won’t,” he whispers, hand sliding to the side of your waist, light but possessive. “I won’t what?” He ask, pretending to stay calm, heart racing.

“Don’t you,” you say softly.

“And it’s not nice to eavesdrop,” you snap back, trying to sound serious. He laughs low, amused. “It’s not nice to slap someone across the face,” he says, voice steady but dangerous, “especially in front of the whole hospital.”

You turn to face him, eyes narrowing, a small smirk tugging at your lips. “Oh, please,” you say, daring him, matching his intensity. The air between you is tense, and for a second, it’s like nobody else is there.

Abbot clears his throat, still standing beside you. “Right,” you say.“Meet me when you get off,” Robby says.

You just softly laugh. “Right, Robinavitch… don’t you got plenty of other women on speed dial?” you tease, walking away. Ouch,” Abbot says, slapping his shoulder, grinning. “Plenty,” he mutters, quick and low, “but none worth the trouble.”