Joseph didn't say a word to Vivica, but he shot his friend a meaningful look before calling out his true motives. "Dr. Christie, he's just worried you're trying to steal his thunder."
"His thunder? Vivica getting pregnant is entirely your doing, Mr. Baird. What does that have to do with him?" Quintina was notoriously blunt, never one to sugarcoat her words.
Harvey let out an exasperated breath. "Dr. Christie, you certainly weren't singing this tune when you were begging me to help you get your job transferred to this hospital."
Hearing that, Quintina froze. A sheepish flush quickly crept up her neck.
"Um... Dr. Murphy, please don't take it the wrong way. I wasn't trying to be hostile. It's just that Vivica and I are so close—I was by her side through her entire pregnancy with Chaim. I guess I'm just being a little overprotective."
Realizing her misstep, Quintina immediately smoothed things over with a sincere apology.
Harvey's expression softened slightly, but he refused to back down completely. "Your best friend is my best friend's wife. Naturally, when my best buddy brings his wife in for a checkup, he comes straight to me."
Vivica was speechless.
It was glaringly obvious now—these two were literally fighting over her.
Who knew getting pregnant would not only turn her into royalty at home, but also make her the most highly sought-after prize at the hospital?
It was a very sweet, if slightly ridiculous, problem to have.
Quintina, who had been completely self-assured just moments ago, felt her confidence deflate after Harvey's rebuttal. She shot a desperate, pleading look at Vivica.
"Ah, well—" Vivica, always loyal to her best friend, smoothly intervened with a warm smile. "Thank you so much for today, Harvey. But for the rest of my prenatal visits, I think I'll stick with Quintina. It's just a bit more comfortable with another woman. Besides, your expertise is in fertility treatments, and your time is incredibly valuable. We should leave you to focus on the patients who really need your specialized care."
Hearing that, Quintina gave a subtle, appreciative lift of her eyebrows, her eyes shining with gratitude.
The two women exchanged knowing smiles, while the two men traded a look of mutual, helpless defeat.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty