Chapter 6 First Day

Olivia's POV

Monday morning. Seven a.m. I stood outside the hospital’s employee entrance clutching my Starbucks like a lifeline. My brand-new ID badge read:

Dr. Olivia Peterson — Director of Cardiovascular Research.

“Nervous?” a voice asked behind me.

I turned—Daniel. Dark blue scrubs. Damp hair. Even under unforgiving fluorescent lights, he was ridiculously good-looking.

“A little,” I admitted. “You’re here early.”

“Emergency surgery,” he said, swiping his card. “Got called at three. Heart transplant.”

I followed him inside, doing my best not to notice the way his scrubs stretched over those shoulders.

“How’d it go?”

“Perfectly. Sixteen-year-old girl—she’s got a brand-new shot at life now.” He smiled, tired but deeply satisfied. “This is why I do what I do.”

We stepped into the elevator. The sudden thought hit me—this was just the beginning. We were going to be in close quarters a lot. The idea was both exhilarating and unsettling.

“Andrew said I’m meeting the whole team today?”

“Nine a.m., conference room. I’ll make introductions.” The elevator stopped. “Your floor. I’m upstairs in surgery.”

As the doors slid open, my phone rang. Unknown number.

“Dr. Peterson.”

“Olivia! Finally!” Charlotte’s voice, shrill and furious. “What the hell are you playing at?”

Daniel caught my shift in expression; I held up a finger—wait.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Charlotte.”

“Don’t play stupid! Credit cards frozen, bank accounts emptied, and the lawyer says you’re divorcing William? What the hell is this?”

I took a slow, steady breath. “It means I know. About you and William. About the fake beach wedding. About you burning through my money.”

There was a beat of silence. Then she exploded.

“You crazy bitch! You can’t do this! We’re sisters!”

“Sisters don’t steal each other’s husbands,” I said evenly. “And they sure as hell don’t commit credit card fraud.”

“We can explain—”

“No need. I’ve got all the proof I need.” I hung up. Blocked her.

Daniel was still there, brow furrowed. “Ex-husband’s… accomplice?”

“My twin sister.”

His eyes widened. “Jesus, Olivia.”

“Yeah. But today’s a fresh start.” I straightened my shoulders. “Let’s go meet the team.”