Chapter 2

Ellie's scream hurt my eardrums. Even Mom, who was partially deaf, turned to look at me with a worried expression.

I forced down my anger, stepped outside, and lowered my voice. "What the fuck are you yelling at me for?"

There was a brief silence on the other end, then Ellie snapped back, "I know you're upset because I bailed on you, but I already promised I'd make time to go back with you later. What are you throwing a fit for?

"You're doing Jaiden's surgery whether you like it or not. If you don't, then we're done."

Fine by me. I didn't want to be with her anymore anyway.

Just as I was about to bring up divorce, I heard Jaiden shouting in the background. "Ellie, the party's about to start. Dad's asking for you to come to the table."

I heard her cover the phone, then respond in an unnervingly sweet tone, "I'm handling some hospital stuff. I'll be there soon. Tell Dad I'll be right there."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, Dr. Harper, you have another dad now, huh? You've been on the phone with me this long. Aren't you afraid of keeping your dad waiting? Oh, right. I forgot. I'm petty."

Jaiden seemed close by. Ellie's voice dropped as she growled, ​"Jaiden's village is small, and the people love to gossip. I'm his boss. What's wrong with showing up to make him look good? Is there any need for this sarcastic attitude?

"Listen up, Vance. I'm giving you three days to get that surgery done. If you don't, you can get the hell out of my hospital!"

With that, she hung up.

I stood there at the entrance of my house. As the wind brushed past me, I felt a hollow ache in my chest.

But my mind was made up. I was done being the scapegoat.

The next second, I received a call from the Chief Medical Officer of the hospital, George Hudson. Apparently, someone had reported that I performed surgery while drunk, and he wanted me to come back and handle it.

I felt like I was losing my mind.

My breath hitched. "Dr. Hudson, are you sure there isn't a mistake? This patient has congenital hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He was already at death's door when he first arrived."

But George sent me the complaint letter anyway.

My mind went blank. I didn't even get to finish dinner. I rushed back to the hospital in a panic.

Faced with George's accusing look, I requested a confrontation with the accuser. But he remained silent. He simply pulled forward a witness to identify me.

But the witness—the anesthesiologist for that surgery—happened to be Jaiden's best friend.

The realization hit me like a physical blow, and my blood boiled.

"Dr. Hudson, he's Jaiden's friend. Jaiden has a grudge against me. He could easily be framing me!"

It was a desperate, hollow defense. I had no proof.

Before I could say more, a shrill voice cut through the room. "Enough!"

Ellie stormed in. Her eyes were filled with disgust as she glared at me.

"A grudge?" she snapped. "You're the one who hates him! You're the one trying to ruin him! Vance, I thought you were just petty, but still professional. I never imagined you could be so shameless!

"Do you have any idea how serious it is to fake a malpractice claim? I can't believe you'd gamble with a patient's life. You don't deserve to be a doctor, and you certainly don't deserve to be my husband!"

I froze in place, my throat tightening as if it were being squeezed.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally managed to speak. "Ellie, do you really think I'd risk a patient's life out of jealousy?"

Ellie's chest heaved with anger, her gaze dark and unreadable. "Why not? I've seen the alcohol bottles in the fridge at home."

That single sentence sealed everything.

George handed me the termination papers, and I felt the scorn of my colleagues raining down on me.

Dazed and defeated, I finished packing up. I was just about to walk out the door when the patient's mother kicked me to the ground.

"You bastard! Why did you kill my son? Why did you drink before the surgery?"

The woman kicked me again and again while slapping me across the face.

My vision began to blur. As the woman was dragged away, I crouched on the floor, quietly gathering my scattered belongings.

And then, I heard Jaiden's voice from behind me. "Vance, you got what you deserved!"

I turned to find his smug face twisted into a half-smile. Striking the pose of a victor, he looked down at my box of belongings with a look of mock surprise.

"Oh no. Are you resigning to atone for that medical accident of yours?"