The lobby of the Sterling-Khan Community Clinic was bustling with patients when Dante Ricci walked in, flanked by two security guards. He didn’t wait in line; he walked straight to the reception desk where Maya was working.
“Time’s up, Dr. Khan,” Dante said smoothly. “Sell me the building, or I call the health inspector about those ‘plumbing issues’ your janitor fixed.”
Suddenly, a figure in a grey jumpsuit stepped between Dante and Maya. It was Julian Sterling, holding a mop bucket.
“Get out,” Julian said, his voice hard.
Dante laughed. “The janitor speaks. Did you think about my offer, Julian? The medical license? The white coat?”
Julian dropped the mop. It clattered loudly on the tile, silencing the room.
“I don’t want your white coat,” Julian announced, loud enough for every patient and staff member to hear. “And I don’t want your money. You can’t buy this clinic, and you can’t buy me.”
He looked back at Maya, his eyes clear and defiant. “We aren’t selling. Not today. Not ever.”
Dante sneered, realizing his leverage was gone. He turned and left. Maya looked at Julian–standing there in a stained uniform, publicly rejecting his old life for her–and felt the wall around her heart finally crumble.