Cover of The Candle Palace

The Candle Palace

by Devney Perry


Genre
Romance, Contemporary, Fiction
Year
2021
Pages
182
Contents

Chapter 10

Overview

HR's weak response to Sara's report forces her back to work, where Vernon's icy professionalism masks his resentment. After a tender night in which Milo lets Sara see his scars and they exchange 'I love you,' Vernon ambushes Sara on the sidewalk demanding she rescind her statement. Milo, secretly stationed at the hospital, intervenes, prompting Sara to quit her job on the spot.

Summary

HR informs Sara that they have only verbally reprimanded Dr. Vernon for the locker-room incident, taking no further action. Sara dreads returning to work but cannot afford to quit without another job lined up. She and Milo spend the rest of the day together, and Milo discusses his plans to call his parents, work, and Maisy, whom he still feels guilty about not protecting from her kidnapping.

That night, Sara turns on the bedroom lights and gently coaxes Milo into letting her see his burn scars uncovered for the first time. She reassures him that she finds nothing about him ugly. Vulnerable and emotional, Milo tells Sara he loves her, and she returns the words. They make love and reaffirm their commitment to finding a future together.

The next morning, Milo walks Sara to the hospital. Avoiding the locker room, she works her shift on Milo and Luna's former side of the unit. Vernon behaves with cold professionalism throughout the day, treating Sara as inconsequential, which unnerves her. She avoids being alone with him until he corners her briefly at the supply closet, exchanging hollow pleasantries.

After her shift, as Sara walks home, Vernon grabs her elbow on the sidewalk and demands she rescind her HR statement. He blames her for leading him on and accuses her of trying to ruin his career. Milo, who has secretly been waiting in the hospital lobby all day in case of trouble, intervenes. He hauls Vernon off Sara, threatens him after Vernon calls her a bitch, and forces him back toward the hospital until Vernon retreats inside.

Shaken but unhurt, Sara decides she cannot keep working there. She and Milo go straight to HR, where Vernon is already attempting to spin the story. Sara delivers her statement, quits on the spot, hands over her badge, and walks out with Milo, who promises they will figure out her future together.

Who Appears

  • Sara
    Burn-unit nurse who confronts Vernon's hostility, exchanges 'I love you' with Milo, and ultimately quits her job after Vernon's sidewalk ambush.
  • Milo Phillips
    Montana deputy and Sara's boyfriend; lets her see his burn scars, declares his love, secretly guards the hospital lobby, and rescues her from Vernon.
  • Dr. Vernon
    Burn-unit doctor; feigns indifference at work but ambushes Sara outside, calls her a bitch, and demands she rescind her HR report.
  • Kym
    Fellow nurse covering the opposite side of the unit, briefly chats with Sara about the day's patient load.
  • Maisy
    Milo's friend back home recovering from a kidnapping; Milo plans to call her, still carrying guilt for not being there.
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