บททั้งหมดของ Cruel Love Back in His Hands : บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

Kristine's brain scrambled for a coherent thought. This could not be happening. Out of all the gynecologists in Seattle, how was George Mitchell standing in this room? Her George. Except he was not hers anymore and had not been for five years. She turned sharply to the nurse standing by the counter. "I think my HMO app messed up my appointment." The nurse looked confused. "Messed up how?" "I just..." Kristine's mind raced. "I wasn't expecting Dr. George." "Dr. George is one of the top gynecologists in the world," the nurse said, her tone almost reverent. "Are you sure you want to give this up, miss? His waiting list is usually six months long. You're very lucky to get in today." Kristine swallowed hard. The cramping in her lower abdomen pulsed as if reminding her why she was here in the first place. Her condition could not wait. She had already put this off for too long. And honestly, he did not seem to recognize her anyway. Maybe five years had erased her from his memory complet

Kristine's legs felt like they might give out beneath her. Assist him? In front of an entire lecture hall full of medical students? After what had just happened at the hospital? This had to be some kind of cosmic joke. But Lucy's grade hung in the balance. Ten percent was too much to lose. And walking out now would only make things worse. "Fine," she heard herself say. George's expression did not change. "Come to the front." The walk down the lecture hall aisle felt like a death march. Every eye tracked her movement. Whispers followed in her wake. She could feel their curiosity, their judgment, their amusement at whatever was about to happen. When she reached the front, George gestured to the examination table that had been set up beside the podium. Of course there was an examination table. Because apparently the universe had decided today was the day to destroy whatever dignity Kristine had left. "Lie down," George said, and "Face up." Kristine climbed onto the table,

Kristine pushed through the glass doors of Caldwell Technologies, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She was early. Good. Maybe she could bury herself in work before anyone noticed she looked like she hadn't slept in days."Kristine!"Or not.Nathan Caldwell was walking toward her from the elevators. Her stepbrother. Well, technically stepbrother—her mother had married his father Richard five years ago when Kristine fled to Portland with a broken heart. Nathan was the Chief Operations Officer of Caldwell Technologies, seven years older than her, and had given her the job in the creative department when she needed a fresh start. He had always been protective of her, maybe too protective sometimes, but she appreciated having family looking out for her."Hey Nathan.""Where have you been? I called you three times this weekend.""I turned my phone off. Needed a break."They stepped into the elevator together. Nathan pressed the button for their floor and turned to look at her. R

Kristine's phone rang at seven in the morning. She groaned and grabbed it off her nightstand without looking at the screen."Hello?""KRISTINE! Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!"She bolted upright. "Miranda? What's wrong?""What's wrong? WHAT'S WRONG? I just got an email from Professor George saying I lost ten percent on my participation grade for being late to his lecture! Ten percent! Do you know what that does to my GPA?"Kristine's stomach sank. "Miranda, I can explain—""You said you'd just scan in and sit in the back! You said nobody would notice!""I know, I know, but something happened and—""Something happened? What could possibly happen that costs me ten percent of my grade?"Kristine rubbed her face. "Can you come over? I'll explain everything. I promise.""I'm already in my car. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."The line went dead. Kristine dragged herself out of bed and threw on sweatpants and a t-shirt. She barely had time to make coffee before Miranda was pounding on h

"The consultant is here," Lucy whispered, rolling her chair over to Kristine's desk. "Nathan just walked him into the conference room.""Already? I thought the meeting wasn't until two.""It's 1:55.""Shit." Kristine grabbed her tablet and notebook. "Do I look okay?""You look fine. Why do you care?""I don't. I just don't want to look like a mess in front of some fancy doctor consultant."They headed down the hall to the main conference room. Through the glass walls, Kristine could see Nathan talking to someone with his back turned. Tall. Dark hair. Expensive suit.She pushed open the door. "Sorry I'm a little—"The man turned around.George.Every molecule of oxygen vanished from the room. Kristine's tablet slipped from her hands and clattered onto the table."Kristine?" George looked just as shocked. "What are you doing here?""I work here. What are YOU doing here?"Nathan stepped between them, smiling like he'd just won the lottery. "Oh good, you two know each other. That'll make