Page 82 of Broken Dream

“And what?”

She pauses. “They’re concerned about your…mental health. What you’ve been through with the loss of your wife and child and your ability to perform surgery. They’re concerned that without a proper support system, you might not be able to handle the potential stress and complications, should any arise. It’s not just about the physical risk, Jason. It’s about your emotional well-being too.”

A bitter laugh escapes me. “They think I’m unstable?”

“It’s more about your ability to cope under such stressful circumstances. Surgery can take a toll on anyone, Jason, even those who haven’t experienced the kind of trauma you have.”

I push away from the wall, anger surging through me. My personal life is my own damned business. How dare they pry into it like this? They wouldn’t do it if I were a normal patient. They just happen to have this extra information on me. Information I wouldn’t dare let them know if I were going into the hospital as a normal patient.

“I have a support system,” I argue weakly.

It’s not entirely untrue. There are people who care about me, but since Lindsay’s death, I’ve pushed them away.

But if I really needed them, I could reach out.

“Gita and I tried,” Louisa says, “but the board is adamant.”

“Fine,” I say, my voice clipped. “When is this meeting?”

“We’ll schedule it as soon as possible,” she says.

I end the call abruptly without saying goodbye.

Yeah, that was rude as hell. This isn’t Louisa’s fault.

But I know what’s coming. If I want this surgery in this hospital, they’re going to make me go to therapy.

Fucking therapy.

Therapy cost me my wife.

And God damn it, it won’t cost me my hand as well.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Angie

When I reach anatomy lab on Friday, the sign is there again.

Anatomy Lab Canceled

I’m relieved.

And also disappointed.

I don’t have to cut again, but I also won’t see Jason.

“Are you kidding me?” Eli walks up and bangs his hand on the door. “He’s canceling again?”

“I know, right?” I answer, trying to sound upset. I am upset, but not for the right reasons. “We’re never going to learn at this rate.”

Eli runs a hand through his black hair. “This is unprofessional.”

I shrug, though really I want to agree with him. But I don’t want to seem too eager or too invested. Plus, Jason probably has another appointment about his surgery.

Eli looks at me, one eyebrow raised. “Something wrong, Angie?”

“No,” I lie quickly. “Just tired, I guess.”