When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 96

Amelia

I was just finishing up some paperwork when a soft knock interrupted my concentration. Looking up, I expected to see a nurse or maybe a resident with questions about a patient. Instead, I found myself staring at George.

"Dr. Thompson?" he said formally, his voice carrying just enough for anyone nearby to hear. "May I have a moment of your time?"

I blinked twice, caught off guard by his presence and his formal tone. The last person I expected to see today was Ethan's grandfather.

"Of course, Mr. Black," I replied, matching his professional demeanor. "Please come in."

Once inside my office, he glanced around to ensure we were alone, then suggested, "Perhaps we could walk? These hospital walls have ears."

We moved to a quiet corner of the hallway where no one could overhear us. His formal facade dropped immediately.

"I apologize for the theatrics," George said, his eyes softening. "I didn't want to create any awkward situations for you at work."

"I appreciate that." I crossed my arms, unsure of his intentions. "Is everything okay with you these years?"

"I'm fine." He waved his hand dismissively.

George's expression turned earnest. "I wanted to ask about your kids."

My blood ran cold. "I don't know what you mean."

"Nothing that would cause you trouble," he assured me. "I would never interfere with your life or your choices. I just... I'd like to meet them someday. When you're comfortable with it."

His sincerity caught me off guard. I'd always liked George, even when things with Ethan fell apart.

"They're my children," I said cautiously. "I make all decisions regarding their welfare."

"As you should," he agreed. "I respect that completely. I just want you to know that whoever their father might be, if they're your children, they're my family too."

I studied his face, trying to determine if he knew for certain that Lucas and Ella were Ethan's. His expression revealed nothing definitive.

"I'll think about it," I finally conceded. "Maybe we could arrange something."

"That's all I ask," George said, visibly pleased. "Thank you, Amelia."

As he turned to leave, I called after him, "I'll bring Lucas and Ella to see you soon. I promise."

His smile was worth the risk.

---

The afternoon dragged on with routine checkups and patient consultations. I was heading to my locker to grab my purse before leaving when I heard a commotion down the hall.

"Where is she? That doctor who thinks she knows what's best for everyone!" a shrill voice demanded.

I rounded the corner and saw a middle-aged woman with an expensive handbag gesturing wildly at the nurses' station. Her face was flushed with anger, her voice carrying down the corridor.

"Ma'am, please lower your voice," Jenny, our head nurse, was saying. "This is a hospital."

The woman spotted me and pointed dramatically. "There she is! You! You're the one who convinced my daughter-in-law not to terminate her pregnancy!"

I froze, recognizing her as the mother-in-law of the woman I had saved before.

"Ma'am, I respect my patients' privacy and their choices," I said calmly, deciding to walk past her rather than engage.

"You had no right!" she snapped, grabbing my arm as I passed. "You filled her head with all that 'miracle of life' nonsense. You were so convincing about keeping the baby then, where are you now that our lives are in chaos?"

When I tried to disengage, she actually pushed me. I stumbled backward, caught off guard by the physical contact.

"Ma'am, do not touch Dr. Thompson," Rebecca warned, stepping forward.

Before I could regain my balance, a firm hand steadied me from behind. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The scent of his cologne was unmistakable.

"Are you alright?" Ethan asked, his voice low and concerned.

I quickly stepped away from his touch, my heart racing traitorously. "I'm fine, thank you, Mr. Black."

Rebecca hurried over. "Dr. Thompson, should I call security?"

Before I could answer, the young pregnant woman—the daughter-in-law—emerged from around the corner, her belly prominently rounded at seven months.

"Mother, stop this!" she cried. "Dr. Thompson didn't force me to do anything. Keeping this baby was *my* decision."

"After she filled your head with—"

"After my husband cheated on me and then demanded I abort our child because it was 'inconvenient'!" the young woman cut in, tears streaming down her face. "Dr. Thompson simply explained my options and supported my choice."

The older woman seemed undeterred. "You're ruining your life because this doctor—"

"Enough." Ethan's voice cut through the chaos like a blade of ice. He stepped forward, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Michael, please contact the hospital administrator. I believe he should be made aware that patients' families can physically assault doctors in his hospital without consequence."

"Yes, sir," Michael replied, already on his phone.

"You have no business interfering," the woman snapped at Ethan. "This is a family matter."

"She's the doctor here to do her job without being bothered," Ethan stated

Michael whispered something in Ethan's ear, and Ethan's expression shifted to one of cold amusement.

Within minutes, the hospital administrator appeared, slightly out of breath. "Mr. Black," he said nervously. "I wasn't aware you were visiting today."

"I wasn't planning to deal with hospital security issues," Ethan replied coolly. "Yet here we are. Is it standard practice at New York Central to allow anyone off the street to harass your medical staff?"

"Absolutely not," the administrator assured him, turning to the woman. "Ma'am, I must ask you to leave immediately or security will escort you out."

At that moment, a man in an expensive suit rushed in, his face pale when he saw Ethan.

"Eleanor, what have you done?" he hissed at the woman. "Do you have any idea who that is?"

"I don't care who he thinks he is!" she retorted.

"That's Ethan Black," the man whispered urgently. "Black Investment Group. Eight companies pulled their investments from my firm after crossing him last year."

The color drained from Eleanor's face.

"Dr. Thompson, I sincerely apologize for this incident," the administrator said to me. "Please be assured we'll be implementing stricter visitor protocols immediately."

I nodded, maintaining my professional composure despite the circus unfolding before me. "Thank you. I would like to emphasize that I always respect my patients' autonomy and never pressure them in their decisions."

"She's absolutely right," the pregnant woman confirmed. "She simply supported me when no one else would."

Eleanor's husband practically dragged her toward the exit, forcing an apology that neither of us believed. I turned to Rebecca.

"Let's finish up for today," I said quietly, deliberately not acknowledging Ethan further.

As I walked away with Rebecca, I could feel Ethan's gaze following me down the hallway. I refused to look back, but the weight of his stare lingered like a physical touch between my shoulder blades.

Even after three years, Ethan still came to my rescue just like he did three years ago.