The perfect wife

MIRIAM POV  

"Retractor," I said, without looking up, stretching my palm forth. Nora placed the instrument in my hand with a movement too clumsy.

I felt the slight tremor coming from her through the handle, and my jaw clenched.

Has this ever happened before?  

Yes

This wasn't the first time. Nora was always sloppy, but today was not the day to test me.  

Suddenly, I heard the monitor shrieking, and the patient's heart rate spiked. My head snapped towards the screen to see the numbers racing. 

"Nora, what happened?" I questioned, my voice tightening.  

Her face went pale. Her gloves were streaked with blood. "I-I-made-" 

"Did you nick the iliac vein?" I asked, almost yelling as I gazed at her. 

She staggered backward, returning the gaze with a horror dancing on her feature.

"Get me a clamp now!" I ordered. Within two seconds, a clamp was placed in my hand, and I worked fast, sealing the bleed in seconds. 

The heart rate steadied, and the beeping slowed back into rhythm. Then I glanced up. Across from me, behind the wide glass window, stood the hospital chairman with some doctors behind him.  

His arms were folded, and his eyes were fixed on me. Meeting his gaze, my stomach tightened.  

A mistake happened, and he witnessed it. 

And Nora just stood, gazing at me blankly.

When the ruptured appendix was removed, Nora stepped forward.  

"I-I-I will stitch it up," she stuttered, her voice low. I locked eyes with her.

"See me after the surgery," I said, my voice sharper than a scalpel.  

I stepped back, letting her stitch the wound. A voice came from the window. "You did a great job, Dr. Ford," the chairman said, and I stopped in my tracks.

His tone was calm and smooth, but his words carried weight, which I understood. He'd seen everything. 

I looked at the wide window and smiled politely. "Thank you, sir." With that, I took off the gloves, disposing of them in the bin as I strode out of the theater room. 

After changing, I sat in my office, sliding my wedding ring back onto my left finger. My phone buzzed, and I checked it to see a reminder. 

A dinner reservation I made for three. Dinner with Delano and Arina. My husband, my daughter, my perfect family.  

A knock broke my thoughts. "Come in," I muttered. 

The door opened. 

Nora slipped inside, dressed in something bright and flashy, clutching her bag tightly, afraid someone might steal it.  

"You're leaving early," I muttered, eyeing her dress. "An emergency? Or a date?"  

Her lip curved into a big smile. "Yes, ma'am. Dinner with my boyfriend." 

I nodded once, leaning back in my chair. "I called you here because of what happened earlier."  

Her face dropped.  

"You nicked the iliac vein. Do you realize you almost murdered a patient? I know you to be sloppy, but I was not expecting this kind of mistake from you," I asserted, and she bit her lower lip.

"I'm sorry about it. Such a mistake will never repeat itself again." She apologized, burying her head down.  

Her lips pressed together. Her eyes flicked to my desk, my nameplate. "If you make one more mistake, I won't hesitate to take it to the chairman, and I'm sure you know what that means," I replied, and her eyes flickered to my nameplate on the desk.  

A knock came on the door. "Come in," I said aloud.  

The door opened.  

Itzayana strode in, but her steps slowed when she saw Nora. "I didn't know you had company. I can come back later," she said, ready to leave. 

"You're dismissed, Nora," I said, not missing the quick glance they exchanged.  

Nora stepped out.  

Itzayana dropped into a chair, chuckling. "Her outfit's... different. It's flashy today."  

"She said she has a date," I replied.  

"Maybe that's why she was distracted, too busy thinking about her little boyfriend to remember basic anatomy."  

"Itza..."  

"She nearly sent a patient to heaven today," she uttered, immediately in defense. 

I gave her a look.  

"Didn't you see the way she glared at me, or didn't you see the way she stared at you in the theater room with no remorse after almost murdering the living daylight out of an innocent patient? Someone's daughter!" Itzayana articulated, her tone firmer. 

My phone buzzed. It's an alarm. 

Time to go.  

I stood, grabbing my bag and cellphone. "Itza, you're reading too much into it. Nora's careless, yes, but she's not malicious. Try to see her differently. In a good way, please." 

 "Whatever. I'll think about it. By the way, where are you heading to -" she trailed off. 

"Geez! How could I forget that today is your wedding anniversary? Oh my god! I'm a bad person!" 

Here she goes blaming herself.  

"No, you're not a bad person. You remembered before I left, so you're forgiven."  

We walked together to the parking lot. In front of my car, she hugged me tight. 

"Happy anniversary, dear." I smiled in gratitude. 

She waved at me as I drove off.  

On the way, I stopped at a café for two cups of hot coffee. 

Something thoughtful, right? 

Delano would be surprised. This year, I'd promised not to miss our wedding anniversary.  

I dialed Delano's line, but he wasn't picking up.  

I called again.  

And again.  

No response.  

Maybe I should go to his office and pick him up. I kept calling him until I reached his office. 

My car halted in front of his law firm. I slid out of the car, holding a two-cup coffee carrier as I went inside the building. 

The lights were out. I switched on my phone's torchlight, finding my way to his office. I found his office and went inside to see it empty. 

Has he gone home?  

I dialed his line and heard a faint ringing tone. I followed it, and it led me to the lounge. 

My fingers tapped the red button, ending the call.

My heart suddenly started racing fast, my breath hitching.

My hands became cold and sweaty. I froze, finding it hard to move my body. 

I just stood in front of the door, stagnant. Why am I suddenly getting scared?  

Why do I feel that opening the door won't be a good idea? 

It's just a door; Miriam Delano is waiting for you. Remember, today's your wedding anniversary. Let's not keep him waiting. 

I opened the door.  

The lights were dim, but I saw enough in fact, more than enough. 

Delano was kissing another woman intensely, his hand tangled in her hair. 

Her head tilted back as he pressed his lips to her neck, and her lips parted in pleasure.  

My heart slammed against my ribs, watching the eyesore scene. 

I leaned forward to catch a glimpse of her face, and the light caught her features.

Wait-Nor  

Nora?

My junior. 

My assistant.  

My chest tightened. 

My vision blurred.  

I shut the door back almost immediately without making any noise. Just then, I heard her playful voice.

I didn't move. I just listened as I felt my eyes getting more blurred with tears.

"Sweetheart, if Miriam and I were drowning, who would you save?" 

I heard him chuckle, and his response shattered the last piece of me. "Miriam will be abandoned, and you'll be saved. I love you, Nora, and I'm happier being with you than with her." 

My grip tightened around the paperboard until it collapsed, the hot coffee spilling over my hand. It burned, but the fire in my chest burned hotter. 

The only thing I feel right now is the sting of betrayal.