Then I walked away.
For two years, we had no contact.
I rebuilt.
Not dramatically.
Work.
Therapy.
Friends.
Travel.
I started procurement-risk consulting firm using experience I once
wished I could forget.
Companies hired me to examine vendor controls.
I became obsessive about documentation.
A colleague joked:
“Claire trusts spreadsheets more than people.”
I answered:
“Spreadsheets leave audit trails.”
Not always true.
But funny.
I dated occasionally.
Nothing serious.
Daniel left hospital system after professional review.
His license remained subject to conditions for a period, including
education and monitoring requirements determined by relevant process.
He later worked in a nonclinical healthcare operations role.
I learned that from mutual friend.
I did not contact him.
Then my mother died.
Unexpected stroke.
Daniel attended funeral.
He stayed in back.
Did not approach.
Afterward, I found card.
Claire,
Your mother was kind to me even after she had every reason not to be.
