The Doctor's Reckoning

Chapter 8: A Miraculous Turn

“What?”

“You heard me,” she said. “Get out! I don’t need a doctor who can’t see past his own arrogance!”

Carlo clenched his fists but ultimately stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

The interns hesitated, glancing nervously between Joaquin and Andrea before hurrying after their superior.

Outside the room, the interns huddled around Carlo, their voices low and filled with doubt.

“Do you think he’s legit?” one of them asked.

“Impossible!” another replied. “No one heals that quickly.”

“He’s a fraud!”

Carlo, still fuming, clenched his fists. 

“He’s hiding something,” he said. “I’ll find out what it is.” 

With that, he headed toward the caregiver station, determined to dig into Joaquin’s past.

Back in the room, Andrea’s demeanor shifted. Her stern expression softened as she turned her attention to Joaquin.

“That was… impressive,” she said, her voice teasing. “What do I owe you for such a miracle? My gratitude? Or something more… personal?”

Joaquin blinked, caught off guard by the sudden flirtation. 

“That won’t be necessary,” he said quickly.

Andrea chuckled. “Relax, I’m just joking.” She leaned back, studying him with curiosity. 

“But seriously, you’re impressive. You’re not like the others here. You’re different.”

Joaquin hesitated before speaking. “I wasn’t always in this position,” he admitted. “I was a doctor… until I was framed.”

Andrea’s smile faded, replaced by genuine interest. 

“Framed? For what?”

“Plagiarizing medical records,” Joaquin said bitterly. 

“Someone tampered with my files, and I lost everything. My reputation, my job—it’s all gone.”

Andrea leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “And yet, here you are, still working in the medical field. Why?”

“Because helping people is all I know,” Joaquin replied. “I can’t give up on that, no matter what happened to me.”

Andrea studied him for a moment, her expression thoughtful. 

“You’re either incredibly determined or incredibly stubborn,” she said. 

Then, with a smirk, she added, “I like that. How about this: I’ll hire you as my personal doctor.”

Joaquin stared at her, taken aback.

“Your personal doctor?”

Andrea nodded. 

“I have the resources to make sure you’re treated fairly. Besides, I could use someone with your… unique skills.”

Before Joaquin could respond, Andrea’s assistant entered the room, holding a tablet. 

She leaned down to whisper something in Andrea’s ear, her eyes darting toward Joaquin as she spoke.

Andrea’s expression didn’t change, but a shadow of tension flickered across her face. 

She dismissed the assistant with a nod.

“What was that about?” Joaquin asked, sensing the shift in her mood.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” Andrea said smoothly, her smile returning.

The door burst open before the conversation could continue, and Andrew stormed in. 

His eyes darted between Andrea and Joaquin, brimming with indignation.

“What’s this I hear about you hiring him?!” Andrew demanded, his voice dripping with disdain.

Andrea’s gaze turned icy. “It’s exactly what it sounds like,” she said.

Andrew scoffed. 

“You can’t be serious. Do you know who this man is? He’s irresponsible, unprofessional—”

“Enough!” Andrea interrupted sharply. “You don’t get to make decisions for me, Andrew.”

Andrew ignored her, turning his attention to Joaquin. 

“You’re nothing but a disgrace,” he sneered. “An illegitimate child, a fraud, a—”

A loud slap echoed through the room, silencing him instantly.