Quintina was still on her way home when her phone rang.
"Quintina," Vivica said, getting straight to the point, "I have to ask you something. If you had the chance to transfer to Pivot Hospital, would you take it?"
"What kind of daydream are you having?" Quintina replied lazily. "Pivot Hospital's OB-GYN department is top-tier. People are practically killing each other to get a position there."
"Just forget about that for a second," Vivica said, trying to contain her excitement. "Just tell me if you'd want to go or not!"
"Well, if I actually had the chance, of course I'd want to go!" Quintina said.
"Great. Joseph said he could help make it happen."
Quintina had been sounding casual and unconcerned, but at this, her voice shot up. "Seriously? Mr. Baird can help?"
"Yes," Vivica confirmed, a thread of excitement in her voice. "I just got back and mentioned it to him offhand. He said he could help you transfer. Remember Mr. Murphy from dinner the other night? He's at Pivot Hospital."
"I remember, I remember! So, Mr. Baird thinks Mr. Murphy can pull some strings?"
"I'm not sure about the specifics. All I know is that if you're willing to go to Pivot Hospital, I'll tell Joseph, and he'll figure out the rest."
"Yes, yes! I'm a hundred percent in!" Quintina agreed readily, then a thought struck her. "But if I move to Pivot, I won't be able to visit Chaim as often."
Chaim was always admitted to Riverdale Children's Hospital, which was quite a distance from Pivot Hospital.
"Don't worry about that. Your career is more important."
Vivica was skeptical. But if he was telling the truth, his presence in the hospital this late at night could only mean one thing—the person he was with was sick and had been admitted. Here, in this very hospital.
A wave of panic washed over Vivica. What rotten luck. After all her efforts to avoid them, it seemed a confrontation was inevitable.
But she didn't want to face this tonight. She wasn't ready. Without waiting for him to say anything else, Vivica turned and walked away.
"Ms. Lynn!" Raymond called after her, just as she'd expected. "My aunt isn't well. She's been admitted to the hospital, just downstairs. Do you think you could spare some time tomorrow...?"
"No!" Vivica cut him off sharply before he could finish. She hurried back to the room, shutting the door a little too loudly behind her.
Joseph's head snapped up. "What's wrong? You look frantic."

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