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“My interview went well.”

The words hit like a punch to the stomach.

“That’s good,” I manage.

My voice stays neutral.

Apparently years of delivering terrible medical news finally paid off.

“They offered me the position. I could start in two weeks.”

I stare at my hands like they’ve suddenly developed some fascinating rare disease.

My jaw tightens so hard I can feel my teeth grinding.

She’s leaving.

She’s really leaving.

“Congratulations,” I finally say. “That’s what you wanted.”

“It’s not…”

I cut her off.

“You’re right to leave. There’s nothing for you here.”

Except me.

And apparently I don’t count.

She rises abruptly.

“Finn…”

“I’m serious. You deserve better than a village that watches your every move and a failed doctor who…”

I stop.

Unable to finish the sentence.

A failed doctor who fell in love with you when he was only supposed to pretend.

Mary stares at me with an expression I can’t decipher.

“A failed doctor?” she repeats softly. “That’s really how you see yourself?”

I stand too.

Now we’re facing each other with too many unspoken things hanging between us.

The air feels so charged I could slice through it with a scalpel.

“That’s what I am.”

“Finn, you’re not?—”

But she never finishes.