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“Because you and Addie complement each other,” Josephine said. “You’re both brilliant. And yes, you have different approaches, but you balance each other out.”
Giselle shook her head, frustration building. “I don’t need balance. I need someone focused.”
Josephine smiled slightly, but there was no humor in it. “Addieisfocused. More than you give her credit for. She’s just focused on more than the surgery itself.”
Giselle opened her mouth to argue, but Josephine cut her off.
“And that’s not a bad thing,” Josephine said. “You might learn something from her.”
Giselle’s mouth snapped shut, irritation prickling at her skin. The idea that she needed to learn anything from someone like Addie—someone who spent more time talking to patients than in the OR—wasridiculous. She crossed her arms, her gaze hard.
“I’ll do the job,” Giselle said, her tone sharp. “But don’t expect me to change the way I work.”
Josephine didn’t seem fazed. “I’m not asking you to change your skills. I’m asking you to be open to working as part of this team.”
Giselle pressed her lips together, frustration simmering. She didn’t understand why Josephine was pushing this so hard. But arguing wouldn’t get her anywhere, and she could tell Josephine wouldn’t budge.
“Fine,” Giselle said finally. “But don’t expect me to play nice.”
Josephine smiled again, this time more genuinely. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Giselle stood, ready to leave, but Josephine’s voice stopped her.
“Two more things, Giselle.”
She turned, waiting.
“Try to remember that these people—your colleagues, your patients—they’re more than just bodies to operate on or order around. They’re humans. And they deserve to be treated like it.”
Giselle straightened her shoulders. “The second?”
“Your partner is Dr. Addie Wolfe this week.”
Giselle’s stomach turned. Somehow, she’d known this was coming, but it didn’t make it easier to hear. “We can work as a larger team. Include other doctors; don’t isolate me with her.”
“That’s not how we do things here,” Josephine said. “Collaboration is part of the job.”
Giselle forced herself to keep her voice steady. “I’ve collaborated before. I don’t have to do it with Addie alone. There can be others.”
Josephine smiled, but it wasn’t the friendly kind. It was the smile of someone who wouldn’t change their mind. “Addie is one of the best. And she brings what you’re missing to the table.”
“Empathy?”
“Among other things.”
Giselle turned abruptly, her patience wearing thin. “Dealing with blood and human tissue doesn’t require empathy.Imagine feeling sorry before making an incision.”
“Imagine treating people’s loved ones on your table like a pound of flesh you’re digging through.”
“Technically…” Giselle cocked her head, but Josephine’s raised hand stopped her.
“This isn’t negotiable,” Josephine said. “You’ll be working with Addie. And I expect you to learn to workwithher, not against her.”
Giselle clenched her jaw, refusing to respond. There was no point in arguing. Josephine had already made up her mind, and Giselle knew when she was facing a wall she couldn’t break through.
Without another word, she turned and walked out of the office.
The hallway outside Josephine’s office felt too quiet, too empty. Her footsteps echoed in the stillness as she headed back toward her office, her thoughts a mess of frustration. She hated how Josephine had dismissed herconcerns, but she hated that she was being forced to work with Addie Wolfe even more.