Page 97 of Accidental Doctor Daddy

A stab of guilt pierced me, but I swallowed it. “I appreciate everything, truly. You bent over backward for me, and I’ll never forget that. But it’s time I move on. It’s what I need to do for my family.”

Carrie’s eyes narrowed, bitterness lacing her tone. “You realize you’ll be walking into a bigger mess, right? New city, new environment, no stable connections. And Dom’s here—aren’t you two a thing?”

A pang shot through my chest. “That’s…complicated,” I managed, looking away. “He’ll be fine in Manhattan.”

She let out an exasperated huff. “Whatever. Do what you want. Seth will probably be thrilled to hear you’re breaking up with Dom. One more thing to put him off his game. Doesn’t that bug you?”

I stiffened. “I’m doing it for me and my girls. I can’t stay where everything is…I can’t stay.” No need to explain myself to anyone.

“Fine. When do you leave?”

“End of the week,” I said, forcing my chin up. “I’d appreciate your keeping it discreet until I finalize everything.”

She rolled her eyes. “Sure. Whatever. Good luck in Chicago, Ella.” The sarcasm practically dripped.

My shoulders sagged, but I mustered a polite nod. “Thanks. I’m sorry, Carrie. Really. I know I’m leaving you in a tough spot, but Winner can handle it.”

“She’s good, yeah. But it doesn’t mean I trust her fully yet. And you’re wrong if you think you’ll find some magical fix in Chicago. Problems follow you like chewing gum on your shoe. Running away from home never solved anything.”

The remark stung. “I hope you find happiness, Carrie. I truly do.”

She looked away, tension in her jaw. “Bye,” she muttered, clearly done with this conversation.

My head was a mess when I left her office.That’s that, then.No going back now.I severed the last tie.

Outside, the air hit me with a chill that cut through my jacket. I breathed in, letting the adrenaline drain. A sense of finality loomed.

I’m leaving this place.

My mind flicked to Dom, how he’d react. Probably furious, or maybe sad, or worse…relieved.He’ll hate me short-term, but eventually he’ll realize it’s best for him.

I pictured our last conversation, how his eyes lit up when we confessed we loved each other. Tears pricked my eyes again, but I blinked them away. My current emotions didn’t matter. If Dom left me and the girls in a year’s time, I’d be devastated. The way I felt now was nothing in comparison.

When I got home, the twins were asleep, and Amanda had tidied up their bottles. She deserved a heads-up, in so far as I could manage one. I thanked her in a shaky voice, telling herthere might be changes soon. She gave me a curious look but didn’t pry.

Once she left, I stood in the quiet living room, phone in hand, resisting the urge to call Dom.No. If I hear his voice, I’ll lose my resolve.

So I dropped onto the couch, stared at the faint glimmers of city light through the window, and let tears slide freely.I can do this.

I had to. Better a heartbreak now than a total catastrophe later. My daughters deserved a stable mom, not one tugged back and forth by complicated bullshit. Dom deserved a fair shot at his promotion, at repairing things with Leo, without the scandal of fathering twins with his son’s ex.

As I finally crawled into bed, I clutched my pillow, feeling the emptiness of the sheets where Dom might have been. With time, he’d understand.He might even thank me.

Morning would bring new logistics—packing, final arrangements with the Chicago restaurant, saying goodbye to the city I’d known forever. It felt like too much to handle, but I knew better. People moved all the time, even with kids. This was the right call. I was sure of it.

I just had to convince my shattering heart.

Chapter 38

Dom

I’d known something was wrong the moment Ella’s texts trailed off into silence.

By the time I finished my last surgical consult, I couldn’t stand it any longer. I slipped out of the hospital, telling myself I’d surprise her at her apartment, maybe find her on the couch with the twins, too busy or too stressed to reply. A thousand rationalizations.

But as I drove, that hollow ache in my chest only deepened. I climbed the familiar stairwell, each step echoing ominously. At her door, I knocked, heart in my throat.

Silence. No infant cries, no shuffle of footsteps.

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