Doctor Love

Chapter 7

DAVID’S POV

The vein in my temple throbbed as I stared at Dr. Bennett, barely containing the hurricane of rage building inside me. Was this some kind of sick joke? Me? Work alongside Kate Stanley? The local nobody who probably got her medical degree from a cereal box?

"This is absurd," I spat, my voice dripping with contempt. "I graduated top of my class at Harvard. I've trained under world-renowned surgeons. I've published in the New England Journal of Medicine. And you want me to collaborate with her?"

Dr. Bennett leaned back in his leather chair, his face a picture of calm that only infuriated me more. "Is that so? All those impressive credentials? Are those the only things you need to be a great doctor?"

My father frowned. "That's hardly necessary. David's qualifications—"

"Are excellent on paper," Dr. Bennett interrupted. "But as today demonstrated, paper qualifications don't always translate to practical excellence."

I couldn't stay silent any longer. "You're putting me in competition with a nurse from Westlake? This is absurd."

"If you're as qualified as your resume suggests," Dr. Bennett replied coolly, "then you have nothing to worry about."

My father studied Dr. Bennett for a long moment, then nodded once. "Fine. A one-week trial. But I expect fair evaluation based on actual performance, not some misguided attempt at diversity hiring."

"The only thing I care about," Dr. Bennett said, his gaze shifting to me, "is finding an assistant who won't kill my patients. If that's you, David, then the position is yours. If not..." He shrugged. "Then perhaps Harvard should reconsider its admission standards."

“No!” I said outrightly. I couldn’t work with that nobody.

“No?” Dr. Bennet demanded with a questioning brow, and my Father grabbed my hand.

“What are you doing, David?”

I didn’t reply. I was still fuming at the thought of Dr. Bennet choosing Kate over me, and now he wanted me to work with her. Dammit!

“Alex, would you mind if I had a word with my son?" His voice was deceptively calm.

Dr. Bennett nodded. "Take all the time you need, Richard."

Father dragged me out of Dr. Bennet’s office, and as soon as the door closed behind us, he pushed me forward to face him.

"Dad, I—"

"Shut up." His voice was quiet but razor-sharp. "For once in your life, David, just shut up and listen."

I stood awkwardly before him, like a 10-year-old being scolded for something bad.

"Three generations." He held up three fingers, thrusting them toward my face. "Three generations of Villa have practiced medicine with distinction. Your grandfather saved lives during the Korean War with nothing but basic supplies and his own two hands. I built a department from nothing. And you—" he jabbed a finger at my chest, "—you think your fancy degree and your arrogance are enough."

"I was just explaining my qualifications—"

"No!" He shouted at me for the very first time. "You were being a pompous ass. Qualifications? You want to talk about qualifications? I pulled every string I had to get you this opportunity with Alex, and this is how you repay me? By humiliating yourself, and worse, humiliating me?"

“I’m so…sorry.” I muttered.

"So here's how this is going to play out," my father continued, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Either you take this trial position, work alongside that girl with humility and professionalism, or you're on your own."

"What does that mean?" I asked, though I feared I already knew.

"It means no more connections. No more favors. No more financial support." His eyes bored into mine. "It means you can forget about using the Villa name to open doors. It means you can find your own apartment because you won't be staying in mine."

The silence that followed was deafening. For the first time, I realized how precarious my position was.

"You can't be serious," I whispered.

"Try me." There wasn't a trace of bluff in his expression. "It's time to decide what kind of man you want to be, David. A doctor who serves others, or a narcissist with a medical degree. Because I'm done making excuses for you."

He fell silent, waiting for me to speak, but my mouth was still open at the threat. "I’m a busy man, David. What's it going to be? Are you taking the offer or not?”

My mind raced through the options. Pride screamed to walk away, to tell him I didn't need his help or connections. But reality painted a different picture, one where I was jobless, possibly blacklisted, definitely broke.

"I'm waiting, David." His voice was iron.

I swallowed hard, tasting the bitterness of surrender. Every part of me rebelled against working alongside Kate Stanley, admitting I might have something to learn from this small-town doctor.

I exhaled deeply and faced him squarely..

"I'll do the trial," I said finally, the words like acid on my tongue.

I expected him to say something, but I noticed his gaze was over my shoulder. I turned slightly to see Kate standing awkwardly with her lips pressed together, already in the hospital’s uniform.

And the worst was that she looked like she heard everything. Rage filled my insides instantly