第3章

Before I could look over the itinerary, I started my emergency-department shift and worked straight through until afternoon.

A colleague came to find me.

"Dr. Ashford, the patient we just brought in says she's related to you."

I hurried over and found Diana in a wheelchair, pushed by Gerald and Patricia.

Patricia started in immediately.

"Natalie, the older you get, the less sense you have. How could you hold a grudge against your own sister? Getting upset over a birthday? You wouldn't answer her messages, and she twisted her ankle from worrying about you."

I had no idea what she was talking about. I was completely lost.

Vincent had just arrived, and the first thing out of his mouth was also a complaint.

"I brought you a gift first thing this morning. What more do you want?

"Di sent you apology after apology in the group chat. Dozens of messages. You didn't reply to a single one. She's your sister. How can you be so petty?"

Rosa Bennett, the head nurse in the emergency department, had heard enough.

She stepped right in front of me and raised her voice for everyone to hear.

"Dr. Ashford has been on her feet all morning without so much as a bathroom break, let alone time to check some group chat!

"This is the emergency department. Are you here to see a doctor or not? If not, clear out!"

Diana wheeled herself closer to me.

"Nat, don't be upset with me. I'll give you the necklace. It'll go perfectly with the dress I picked out for your wedding next month.

"I already scolded Vincent, too. Told him he needs to put you first. He shouldn't keep spoiling me all the time. It's all my fault. Please don't be mad at Vincent."

Listening to her, you'd think I was the outsider.

With everyone right there, I made my announcement.

"Since Diana picked the wedding dress, Diana can keep it and wear it herself. The wedding next month is canceled!"

At those words, Vincent was livid.

He clamped a hand around my arm, barely containing himself, and growled under his breath,

"Natalie, you're thirty years old. How can you still act like a child? A wedding isn't something you just call off on a whim!"

I looked at him steadily.

"Actually, it is. Marriage is my call to make. I say it's off, so it's off!

"Yesterday you fawned over my sister, two years older than me, wishing she could stay eighteen forever, carefree and childish.

"Today you come and tell me that at thirty, I'm not allowed to be impulsive. Don't you see the double standard, Vincent?"

Patricia lashed out.

"The older you get, the less sense you have! You really had to make a scene at your own workplace and embarrass your sister and Vincent?"

I looked at her coldly, picked up the chart clipped to the wheelchair, and asked,

"You already saw the orthopedist at the clinic. Diana's ankle is fine. So you made a special trip to my hospital to air your grievances. Tell me, who's embarrassing whom?"

Patricia sputtered with fury and snatched the chart from my hands.

Gerald, who rarely spoke up, suddenly opened his mouth.

"Nat, can't you just give in to your—"

Before he could finish, I cut him off.

"No!

"You and Mom chose to have a second child. You two were the ones who neglected Diana because you were busy with me.

"If there's a debt to pay, it's yours. Why should I spend thirty years giving in to Diana on your behalf?"

Gerald and Patricia were struck speechless. Diana sobbed against Vincent's chest as though her heart would break.

I turned and followed the next patient into the emergency room.