Page 78 of Healed Heart

Just when I thought I might be able to return to my former life as a surgeon, just when I allowed myself to think about loving again, just when I was learning the truth about Lindsay’s death…

Fucking Ralph Normandy.

My phone buzzes.

Fuck.It’s HR.After hours.That can’t be good.

I sigh.“Sorry.I should take this.”I rise and walk into Angie’s kitchen, Tillie at my feet.I open the back door and let her out as I answer the call.

“Jason Lansing,” I say into the phone.

“Dr.Lansing, it’s Regina Morales.”

“Yeah, I know.What can I do for you?”

She sighs.“I’ve just come out of a meeting with the dean.Given your recent arrest, we have no choice but to put you on administrative leave.Your anatomy classes will be reassigned to another instructor to finish out the semester.”

“With or without pay?”I ask grudgingly.

“Without, I’m afraid, due to the violent nature of the crime you’re charged with.”

“I suppose it won’t help for me to tell you that I’m innocent.”

“I wish it did, Dr.Lansing.Honestly, we all hate to have to do this, but policy?—”

“Fuck policy,” I say.“Fuck all of it.”

“I understand your frustration,” she continues, her voice steady.“This is a difficult situation for all of us.”

“For all of you?Tell me, Regina, are you also getting royally fucked in the ass by a goddamned student?”

She doesn’t respond for a few seconds.Finally, “We will be in touch with further information.”

The call drops, and I stare at the screen, my mind racing.I have no job now.No income.And I just cut a check for fifty fucking thousand dollars.

Worst of all, I have no way to prove my innocence.

I take a deep breath.It’s no use getting worked up over something I have no control over.Right now, I need to focus on what Icando.

Haywood said there are ways to prove my innocence.Security footage.DNA evidence.Any number of ways to prove I wasn’t the person who beat Ralph up.

Of course, if my relationship with Angie becomes public because of all this—and I’m sure that’s possible…

I likely won’t be returning to my job at the medical school anyway.

I walk back into the living room and find Angie sitting with her legs pulled up under her on the couch, gnawing on her thumbnail.

“They’ve put me on administrative leave,” I say bluntly.

She drops her jaw.“They can’t do that.You’re innocent.”

I look down.“I am, but I’m still being charged with a violent crime.It’s the school’s policy, and until the charges are proven wrong or dropped, they can’t pay me.I accepted that when I took the job.”

She looks up at me, worry etched across her face.“I’m so sorry.”

I grab her and kiss her, prying her lips open with my tongue.

My life is a wreck, but one thing is sure.