Maya's POV
Richard's smug face across the conference table made my hands clench into fists.
He sat beside his expensive lawyer, looking confident and untouchable. The hospital board members filed in—seven people who would decide if I kept my medical license or lost everything.
Dr. Chen avoided my eyes.
Jennifer Martinez squeezed my arm. Remember what we practiced. Stay calm. Don't let him rattle you.
But my heart hammered so hard I could barely breathe. This was it. Win or lose. Future or nothing.
Let's begin, the board chairman said. Dr. Castellan, please present your evidence regarding Dr. Reeves's alleged negligence.
Richard stood smoothly, all charm and wounded nobility. Thank you. As difficult as this is, I must speak the truth about my former fiancée's dangerous behavior...
He painted me as reckless, unstable, careless with patient lives. Showed the forged medication orders with my signature. The falsified login records. The altered timestamps.
It was perfect. Too perfect.
And Jennifer was ready.
May I? She stood, her voice sharp as a scalpel. I'd like to examine Dr. Castellan's timeline more closely.
She pulled up a presentation on the screen. According to these records, Dr. Reeves made the medication error on November 15th at 2:47 PM. However... She clicked to the next slide. Dr. Reeves was on a plane to Seattle for a medical conference at that exact time. Here's her boarding pass. Her hotel check-in. Her attendance confirmation at a seminar that started at 3 PM Pacific time.
The board members leaned forward, studying the evidence.
Richard's lawyer jumped up. Dr. Castellan provided documentation showing the conference records were falsified
By whom? Jennifer's smile was cold. Who had access to alter hospital records, conference registrations, and login credentials? Not Dr. Reeves, who was suspended and banned from hospital systems. But perhaps someone with administrative privileges? Someone from a prominent family with unrestricted access?
She let that sink in.
Furthermore, Jennifer continued, isn't it convenient that all this 'evidence' surfaced only after Dr. Castellan publicly ended their engagement? That five years of spotless service suddenly became a pattern of negligence the moment Dr. Reeves was no longer useful to him?
That's speculation— Richard's lawyer protested.
Is it? Jennifer pulled up more documents. Because I have testimony from three nurses who witnessed Dr. Castellan's unusual interest in Mrs. Patterson's file after the medication error occurred. I have login records showing someone accessed and modified that file multiple times from Dr. Castellan's computer. And I have this.
She displayed a timestamped security photo showing Richard at a hospital computer terminal at 11 PM—hours after Maya had been suspended.
What were you doing accessing sealed records at midnight, Dr. Castellan? Jennifer asked sweetly.
Richard's face paled. I was checking on a patient
Mrs. Patterson was transferred to another facility three days prior. Try again.
The room erupted in whispers.
The board chairman held up his hand for silence. Dr. Castellan, can you explain these inconsistencies?
I... Richard looked to his lawyer, who suddenly seemed very interested in his notes. This is a misunderstanding
No. Dr. Chen spoke for the first time, his voice heavy with disappointment. This is a betrayal. Of your fiancée. Of this hospital. Of the oath we all took. He looked at Maya, and his eyes were sad but clear. I'm sorry, Maya. I should have trusted you.
Tears burned my throat, but I kept my expression neutral.
The board voted quickly. Unanimous.
Dr. Maya Reeves is cleared of all charges and reinstated immediately. Dr. Richard Castellan will face investigation for evidence tampering, falsification of records, and potential malpractice. This hearing is adjourned.
Victory crashed through me so suddenly I couldn't breathe.
I'd won.
I'd actually won.
Jennifer hugged me tight. Told you we'd destroy him.
Across the table, Richard stared at me with pure hatred. His perfect reputation, his spotless image, I'd just shattered it in front of everyone who mattered.
Good.
I made it halfway down the hallway before Richard caught up.
His hand clamped on my arm, spinning me around. His handsome face was twisted with rage.
This isn't over, he hissed, low enough that passing people couldn't hear. You think you won? You think clearing your name changes anything?
I yanked my arm free. I think you're going to lose your medical license. Seems like I won plenty.
I know you're involved with someone. Someone with serious money. His eyes narrowed. I've been investigating. Damon Blackridge. Mysterious billionaire with too many secrets. What's he want with you, Maya? What are you doing for him?
Ice water flooded my veins. That's none of your business.
It is when my fiancée suddenly has half a million dollars and expensive lawyers. He stepped closer, threatening. I'm going to find out what you're hiding. And when I do, I'm going to destroy you properly this time. Not just your career, everything. Your reputation, your future, your life. I'll make sure you end up with nothing.
You already tried that. I met his eyes without flinching. You framed me. Humiliated me. Poisoned my career. And I survived. More than survived, I won. I smiled, cold and fierce. I'm not the same woman you betrayed, Richard. I'm not scared of you anymore. I'm done being your victim.
We'll see about that. He leaned in, his breath hot on my face. Whatever you're hiding, whatever deal you made—I will expose it. And then you'll wish you'd just accepted defeat quietly.
Dr. Castellan. Dr. Chen's voice cut through the tension. I believe security is waiting to escort you from the premises. Your hospital privileges have been suspended pending investigation.
Richard's face went white with fury, but he stepped back. This isn't over, Maya. Not even close.
He stalked away, leaving me shaking with adrenaline and fear.
Dr. Chen approached cautiously. I owe you an apology. I should have known Richard was lying.
Yes. You should have. I couldn't keep the hurt from my voice. You knew me for five years. Mentored me. And you believed his lies without question.
I know. And I'm sorry. His expression was genuinely remorseful. For what it's worth, you're one of the best doctors I've ever trained. This hospital is lucky to have you back.
I'm not coming back. The words surprised me as much as him. Not here. Not where everyone watched Richard destroy me and did nothing.
I walked away before he could respond, before the tears could fall.
I'd won the battle. Cleared my name. Destroyed Richard's lies.
But the victory felt hollow.
Because in twelve hours, I'd be leaving for a Summit surrounded by golden-eyed predators and impossible wolves.
And Richard was right about one thing—I was hiding something. Something dangerous.
Something that might destroy me worse than his lies ever could.
Outside the hospital, I pulled out my phone and texted Damon: I won. Board cleared me. Richard's being investigated.
His response came instantly: I knew you would. You're stronger than you know. Congratulations, Maya.
Then another message: Tomorrow at 5 AM. Everything changes. Are you ready?
I stared at the question, my thumb hovering over the keyboard.
Was I ready? Ready to face whatever waited at that Summit? Ready to learn what Damon really was? Ready to accept truths that shouldn't exist?
No. I wasn't ready.
But I typed back anyway: I'll be ready.
Good. Pack the blue dress. And Maya? Whatever happens tomorrow, remember—you're mine now. That means something in my world. Something important. Don't forget it.
I walked to my car, my hands shaking.
I'd won against Richard. Proved I could fight back. Reclaimed my name and career.
But tomorrow, I'd face something infinitely more dangerous than a narcissistic ex-fiancé.
Tomorrow, I'd enter Damon's world.
And I had no idea if I'd survive it.
That night, I packed mechanically. The blue dress Damon wanted. Comfortable clothes. Toiletries. Everything for two weeks in a place I couldn't research or prepare for.
My phone buzzed. Ivy: Heard you won the hearing! I'm so proud of you! Drinks to celebrate?
I typed back: Tomorrow. I promise. Love you.
Another lie. I wouldn't be here tomorrow.
My phone buzzed again. Unknown number: 5 AM sharp. Don't be late. And doctor? Leave your normal life behind when you get in that car. Because where you're going, normal doesn't exist. -K
Kieran's warning settled like ice in my stomach.
I looked around my apartment—the place where my old life had died and something new had begun.
Tomorrow, I'd leave it all behind.
Richard's threats. The hospital politics. The board hearing victory.
All of it would seem like a pleasant dream compared to what waited in that wilderness estate surrounded by forests full of wolves the size of horses.
I touched the scar on my wrist—a small mark from a childhood accident. A reminder that I'd survived worse than fear.
But had I ever survived anything like this?
My phone lit up one last time. Damon: Sleep well, Maya. Tomorrow, you meet my world. And my world meets you. I hope you're both ready for each other.
I turned off the lights and climbed into bed, knowing sleep was impossible.
Because in six hours, everything I thought I knew about reality would shatter.
And I'd have to choose—accept the impossible truth and survive.
Or reject it and die trying.
Either way, the Maya who got into Damon's car tomorrow morning wouldn't be the same woman who got out two weeks later.
If I got out at all.