Chapter 30 When Teresa Sullivan turned her phone back on , she saw countless missed calls . Some from Theodore and Yvonne , some from the hospital director , and even a few from Hector . She had been scheduled for an afternoon outpatient shift , yet she'd vanished without a word . The hospital would surely punish her for this . She braced herself for the worst : termination . Inside the taxi , she dialed the director's number , " Matthew . " " Teresa , is everything alright ? " His voice carried no trace of anger , only calm . Teresa was taken aback , momentarily at a loss for words . Then , Director Spencer's tone softened with concern . " How are you feeling ? Any better ? " Teresa was even more confused . " What ? " The director apologized . " I haven't been attentive enough as a supervisor . You were running a fever , and I still assigned you so much work . Let's do this - take three days off . Rest properly at home ." Teresa didn't understand his meaning at first , assuming he was subtly hinting at something else . " I understand ," she replied quietly . ' So this is how it is . On the surface , it's a leave of absence - but really , it's dismissal , She thought . ' But I had skipped work without explanation . I deserved this . Just as Teresa was about to hang up , Matthew suddenly added , " Don't forget to come back in three days . " " Wait - what ? " Teresa froze , wondering if she'd misheard . The background noise on his end suggested he was at some gathering , likely drinking . " Teresa , I've got to go . The drinks are waiting . But if you need anything , just say the word - I'll help ." With that , the call ended . Teresa stared at her phone , the dial tone buzzing in her ear , her mind completely blank . Then , her phone rang again - Hector's name flashed on the screen . She answered immediately , cutting straight to the chase . " Hector , did you say something to Matthew ? " Instead of answering , Hector's voice was thick with concern . " What happened ? You didn't show up for your shift , didn't answer your phone all afternoon - are you okay ? " He'd gone to the outpatient department earlier , only to find her missing Knowing Teresa wasn't one to abandon her duties without reason , he'd covered for her while frantically trying to reach her . Hearing the worry in his voice , Teresa kept it brief . " I got into a fight at a restaurant . Police took me in . Just got out . " You - fought someone ? " Hector sounded stunned . In all the years he'd known hier . Teresa had always been cabin , gentle the list person he'd expect to throw a punch . Whatever had pushed her to that point must have been extreine " Veal " She utered on further eaglanation " Is everything wild I u . Isan- 1⁄2 handled she interrupted , Dont worry P P . Chapter 30 Only then did his tone ease slightly . " Are you heading home now ? " " Yea . In a cab . " " Teresa … " A pause . " Don't bottle everything up . Sometimes letting it out helps . " " Thanks . I know . " " Text me when you're home . " " Okay . " The moment the call ended , the dam broke . She turned her face toward the window , tears streaking down silently . Charles's words in the car earlier played in her mind - suffocating , crushing . She'd given him Yolanda . She'd sacrificed everything for the Logan family . And yet , not a single kind word in return . How pathetic . How laughable . When the cab pulled up to Sullivan Mansion , Theodore was waiting at the gates . " Theodore , why aren't you inside ? " Teresa hurried over , forcing lightness into her voice . " You're late today . " His frown deepened as he studied her . " What happened ? " Not wanting to worry him , she lied smoothly . " I was in surgery this afternoon . Missed your calls ." Theodore's gaze lingered on her - the faint dampness in her lashes didn't escape him . But he didn't speak more . As they walked inside , he said abruptly , " Quit the hospital . Come work at the company . Pick something easy - just for show if you want . You'll get paid either way . " The Sullivans weren't as powerful as the Logans , but their family fortune ensured a comfortable life . Teresa never needed to work another day if she didn't want to . Yet she shook her head . " Theodore … I like being a doctor . " Theodore didn't suggest further when he saw her determination . He had always supported her decisions . The next day , when Teresa arrived at the hospital , she overheard nurses gossiping at the station . " Did you hear ? Someone big is joining the hospital . " " I caught it , but is it true ? Would someone like that even consider our hospital ? " " Dead serious , " the nurse gushed . " I saw him this morning - director himself gave him the grand tour . Tall , ridiculously handsome , gonna have every nurse swooning in no time . " Teresa passed by without comment . But as she changed into her white coat in the locker room , a thought struck her- that has to be Hector No idea why she was so certain , but she just knew . The moment she stepped out , someone blocked her path . She nearly jumped out of her skin . " Just me Hector's smooths voice tickled her car Teresa steadied beoelf and looked up . There he stood in a crisp new white coat , ' Riverdale Hospital embroidered over the breast pucker You " Her eyes traveled from tus culla tuhan maus bag in disbeliek Herapy granted . How do I k P P Chapter 30 Teresa pressed her lips together , refusing to bite . Across the hall , nurses and residents weren't even pretending not to stare . " Is that the new attending ? Holy smokes , he's like something off a medical drama . " " Looks awfully cozy with Dr. Sullivan , doesn't he ? " " Did you see that smile ? I'd let him diagnose me with anything . " Teresa's ears burned . " What do you want ? " " Lunch ? " Before she could respond, he played his trump card , " Consider it Now she had no reason to say no . " Fine . " Hector's eyes lit up . " I'll pick you up after rounds . " " Okay . " She answered . my welcome celebration . " His chuckle followed him into the elevator , leaving Teresa surrounded by prying colleagues . " Spill . What's the deal with you two ? " " That wasn't just a friendly smile and you know it . " Teresa met their stares dead - on . " Hector and I went to med school together . That's all ."