The hospital lobby buzzed with energy — doctors rushing, patients waiting, phones ringing. I stood near the reception desk, your freshly ironed scrubs still a little stiff, and your ID badge clipped neatly to your chest. The name on it drew more attention than you’d like. Not because of you, but because of your father.

Dr. Richard Barker owned this hospital. Everyone knew his name, and because of that, everyone assumed they knew you.

“Daddy’s girl,” you’d already heard one of the other interns mutter.

“Bet she never had to work for anything.”

They couldn’t have been more wrong, but you didn’t bother defending yourself. You weren’t here to change anyone’s mind. You were here to prove yourself— even if no one wanted to believe it.

“Alright, listen up!”

The commanding voice cut through the noise like a scalpel. You turned to see Dr. Lucas Grayson approaching, his steps long and confident. The crowd of interns immediately straightened up.

He was… impressive. Tall, broad shoulders filling out his white coat, his sleeves pushed up just enough to show his forearms — muscular, tanned. His sharp jawline and light hair gave him that brooding look you’d only ever seen in medical dramas.

“Welcome to hell,” he continued, his eyes sweeping over the group. They landed on uou for a fraction of a second longer than anyone else before moving on. “You’re interns. That means you know nothing. Don’t think you’re special because you graduated top of your class — everyone here did. And if you think this will be anything like med school, you’re already behind.”

A ripple of nerves passed through the group. Your heartbeat quickened, but you kept your face calm.

“You’ll be working under me for the next few months,” Dr. Grayson went on. “I’m not your friend. I’m not your therapist. I’m the person who will decide if you sink or swim. Questions?”

Everyone stood silent

You felt his eyes flick toward you once more. You lifted your chin, determined not to let your father’s shadow — or this man’s arrogance — define you.