Broken By Love, Reborn In Fire

A week later, Ashley Nunez was discharged from the hospital, her face healing nicely under the devoted care of the Hoffman brothers. The official announcement for the Chief Resident position was made. It went to her.

Their plan had worked perfectly.

Ashley was ecstatic, throwing her arms around Adrian in a display of triumphant joy. She insisted on a celebration party.

As they were getting ready, Dean nudged his brother, a sly grin on his face. "So, now that Ashley has what she wants… isn't it time you broke things off with your little pet project?"

Adrian's jaw tightened.

"Before you do," Dean added, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "let me have her one more time. For real this time. A proper goodbye."

A strange, uncomfortable feeling coiled in Adrian's gut. An unexpected spike of irritation. He pushed it down.

"She'll be at the apartment," he said, his voice cold. "Waiting."

He pulled out his phone and dialed my number. He listened as it rang once, twice, then went to a clipped, automated message.

The number you have dialed is no longer in service.

Adrian's face darkened. He tried again. Same result.

"What's wrong?" Dean asked, peering over his shoulder.

Adrian stared at the screen, his knuckles white as he gripped the phone. "She blocked me," he bit out, the words tasting like ash in his mouth.

Dean let out a short, dismissive laugh. "So what? Saves you the trouble of having to dump her. Good riddance."

Dean's casual cruelty, a sentiment Adrian himself had shared just moments ago, now felt like a physical blow. An unfamiliar, possessive anger flared in his chest. A feeling of being defied. Of control slipping through his fingers.

He took a deep breath and dialed his subordinate.

"Find out where Ava Goodwin is," he commanded, his voice a low growl. "You have five minutes."

The call back came in four. The aide's voice was hesitant, nervous.

"Sir… Dr. Goodwin filed for an honorable discharge. Her papers were fast-tracked."

Adrian's blood ran cold.

"And sir?" the aide continued, "According to her flight records… she boarded a plane last Tuesday. As part of a UN humanitarian mission. She's a medic now… in a combat zone in Syria."