Chapter Fifteen: The Ultimatum

“They gave me a choice.”

Nathaniel’s words settled into Iris’s chest like a slow, spreading fire.

She stood from the chair, legs unsteady. “What kind of choice?”

He didn’t answer immediately. He crossed the office instead, closing the blinds with a sharp tug. The world outside disappeared, leaving only the low hum of the air conditioner and the sound of their breathing.

“They want distance,” he said finally. “Public, documented distance.”

Her heart sank. “Distance from… me?”

“Yes.”

The word hit harder than she expected.

“They’ll lift your suspension,” he continued, voice measured, professional, too controlled. “You’ll be reassigned. Different department. Different supervisor. No contact with me unless strictly necessary.”

Iris swallowed. “And the other option?”

Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. “I refuse.”

“And then?”

“They escalate. Quietly. They protect donors, reputations. Not trainees.”

Silence stretched between them.

Iris forced herself to speak. “What happens to you?”

“I step down as head cardiologist,” he said. “Possibly lose the hospital entirely.”

Her breath caught. “Because of me.”

He moved toward her then, stopping close enough that she could feel his warmth. “Because of what I feel.”

That was worse.

Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “Then you shouldn’t refuse.”

His eyes darkened. “Don’t say that.”

“This is your life,” she insisted. “Your work. Your family—”

“My family already chose for me,” he cut in. “This is the first thing that’s ever felt like it was mine.”

Her chest tightened painfully.

“Nathaniel… if they’re watching us, if they’re already twisting things—”

“I know,” he said softly. “That’s why this hurts.”

They stood there, inches apart, neither crossing the space between them. The tension was unbearable, thick with everything unsaid.

Finally, Iris stepped back.

“Choose the hospital,” she whispered. “Choose your career. I’ll survive.”

His hand shot out, catching her wrist. Not rough. Not possessive. Just desperate.

“Don’t decide this for me.”

Her voice shook. “I’m deciding it for myself.”

He released her slowly, as if letting go physically hurt him.

“I’ll leave,” she continued, forcing the words out. “I’ll request a transfer to another institution. Somewhere Selena can’t reach.”

“No,” he said immediately. “You’re not running.”

“I’m protecting myself,” she replied. “And you.”

Nathaniel dragged a hand down his face. “This is exactly what they want.”

A knock echoed at the door.

They both froze.

Nathaniel opened it to find a nurse, eyes darting nervously. “Doctor Hale. There’s… an incident.”

“What kind of incident?”

“She collapsed,” the nurse said. “Your partner. Selena.”

Iris’s heart lurched.

Nathaniel was already moving.

The emergency bay was chaos.

Selena lay on the gurney, pale, eyes fluttering, surrounded by staff. When she saw Nathaniel, her hand reached weakly toward him.

“Nate…” she whispered.

He stopped short.

Professionally, he stepped in. Checked vitals. Issued calm instructions. Not once did he take her hand.

Iris watched from the doorway, chest tight with emotions she didn’t want to name.

“She’s stable,” Nathaniel said after a moment. “What happened?”

“Panic attack,” a nurse replied. “She mentioned stress. Emotional distress.”

Selena’s eyes slid to Iris.

The look she gave her wasn’t weak.

It was triumphant.

Later, in the hallway, Selena asked for privacy.

Nathaniel didn’t look at Iris when he said, “Wait here.”

The door closed.

Minutes passed.

Then voices rose.

Not loud enough to hear words. But enough to feel tension bleeding through the walls.

When Nathaniel finally emerged, his face was carved from stone.

“What did she say?” Iris asked.

“She’s filing a formal complaint,” he replied. “Emotional misconduct. Abuse of authority. Inappropriate attachment.”

Iris’s stomach dropped. “Against you?”

“Against us.”

Her vision blurred. “So now what?”

Nathaniel reached into his pocket and pulled out his ID badge. He stared at it for a long moment.

Then he unclipped it.

“I’m done letting them control the narrative,” he said quietly. “Tomorrow, I testify. Everything. The influence. The threats. The lies.”

Her heart pounded. “That could destroy you.”

“Yes.”

“And if it doesn’t work?”

His eyes met hers, fierce and unwavering. “Then I walk away with my integrity.”

Before she could respond, a senior board member appeared at the end of the hall.

“Dr. Hale,” he called. “We need to speak. Now.”

Nathaniel turned to Iris.

“Whatever happens,” he said softly, “don’t doubt this.”

He leaned in, his mouth brushing her ear, voice low and intimate.

“You were never a mistake.”

Then he walked away.

Iris stood there, shaking, as her phone buzzed again.

A message from an unknown number.

If he testifies, you lose him forever.

Her breath hitched.

Another message followed.

Unless you stop him.

She looked down the hall where Nathaniel had disappeared.

And realized the next choice… was hers.