It was 2:00 AM at Sterling Medical Center. Dr. Maya Khan typed furiously at the terminal in the Records Archives.
“Come on,” she hissed. She had bypassed the first firewall using a nurse’s login, but Seraphina’s files were encrypted under a VIP protocol. Maya knew the ‘cancer’ was a lie–the lack of weight loss, the clear eyes, the convenient timing. She just needed the blood work to prove the HCG markers were zero and the oncology reports were forged.
*Access Denied.*
“Damn it.” She hit the keyboard.
“You know, breaking and entering is a felony. Even for staff.”
Maya spun around. Dr. Julian Sterling was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. In the dim blue light of the server room, the arrogant surgeon looked dangerous.
“Julian,” Maya stammered, then steeled herself. “I’m auditing files. It’s part of my rotation.”
“You’re an OB-GYN, Maya. You have no business in the Oncology archives.” Julian pushed off the doorframe and walked toward her. The room was small; suddenly, it felt microscopic. “You’re looking for dirt on the Croft mistress.”
“I’m looking for the truth,” Maya stepped forward, meeting his gaze. “She’s faking it, Julian. And you know it. You’re letting William destroy his life for a lie because your family wants his donations.”
“I protect my patients,” Julian said, his voice low. He trapped her against the desk, placing his hands on the edge of the table on either side of her hips. He was close enough that she could smell the antiseptic soap and expensive cologne he wore. “Just like I’m protecting you right now by not calling security.”
“I don’t need your protection,” Maya breathed, her heart hammering. She should push him away. She hated him. She hated his arrogance, his money, his indifference.
“Don’t you?” Julian murmured. His gaze dropped to her lips, then back to her eyes. The air between them crackled with a sudden, violent tension. It wasn’t hatred anymore; it was adrenaline and proximity.
“Prove me wrong,” Maya challenged, her voice trembling slightly. “Let me see the file.”
“No,” Julian whispered, leaning down until his lips brushed her ear. “But if you try to hack my system again, I won’t be this nice.”
He pulled back, leaving Maya breathless and flushed in the dark room, the taste of almost-kiss hanging heavy in the air.