Chapter 441

“Lena—” I started. But before I could say more, she cut me off. “Do you think I can still catch Nate if I chase after him now?”

She definitely shouldn’t, even if she had a shot. She couldn’t go back to work yet, but she also couldn’t just leave Kehlmark while the investigation was ongoing.

“Don’t overthink it. Tanya’s just lashing out, like a cornered animal.” Lena paused, then added, “Honestly, we should be the ones recommending her for a psych evaluation.”

Her attempt to lighten the mood didn’t work for me. She flicked her fingers against my forehead, reading my mind. “Stop. This isn’t your fault.”

How could it not be? Tanya’s whole problem with Lena was totally because of me. Plus, I’m the one who called Lena in when Tanya’s condition got worse. If I hadn’t called her, Lena might not have even been the one to do the surgery.

“Fault or not, I still have to deal with her,” I said, already moving toward Tanya’s room.

Lena grabbed my arm. “If you go in now, she’ll think she’s winning. You know she’ll make even crazier demands.”

“Let her. I wanna see how far she thinks she can push this.” I could feel the anger rising in my chest. Tanya was like one of those snakes you try to help, and it bites you anyway.

Lena knew me well enough to recognize that look. “Fine, but keep your head on straight. Don’t let her get to you.”

“And you?” I asked.

“I’m heading to the director’s office to explain everything.”

I swallowed down the burning in my throat. “We’ll catch up later.”

“Keep it together. Just… don’t do anything dumb. If you lose it, you’re playing right into her hands,” Lena warned.

I nodded. “I won’t. She’s leaving empty-handed.”

We split up at the doors, Lena heading for the director’s office while I made my way to the OB-GYN wing. Right as I walked in, I ran smack into Brad.

He stopped dead when he saw me, his usual cocky smirk nowhere to be found. Looks like Wayne had a little talk with him. At least now he knew better than to mess with me.

“So polite today,” I teased, flipping the script.

“Don’t start,” Brad shot back.

Watching him try to dodge me like I was some kind of curse, I crooked my finger at him. “Come here. I’ve got a question for you.”

Brad swallowed nervously. “I was out of line before, okay? It won’t happen again. Can we just let it go?”

It was actually kind of cute, seeing him so nervous. I stepped closer, and he immediately sidestepped, like he was ready to make a run for it.

“Stop right there. If you try to run, I’m calling Wayne and telling him you’re up to no good again,” I warned, watching his eyes widen in panic.

“You’re so full of it,” he muttered, finally losing his cool.

I grinned. “Guess I learned from the best.”

Brad gave me a wary look, keeping his distance like I might pull something at any second. His reaction made me laugh. I leaned in just to mess with him. “What? You’re that scared of me?”

We both knew it wasn’t me he was afraid of—it was Wayne. That only made me more curious. I gestured for him to come closer. “So, spill. What did Wayne do to you that turned you from a big bad wolf into a little puppy?”