His Mother's Shadow

"Amber, are you sure you want Diana Sinclair to become Elliot Cladwell's deceased biological mother?" The mechanical voice sounded in my mind, and I didn't hesitate. "I'm sure."

"Understood. The Wish-Granting System has been activated. Diana Sinclair's wish will be fulfilled in three days."

Diana had already unbuttoned her clothes down to her chest in the on-call room. She was pinned beneath Elliot as she laughed breathlessly.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, embellishing her explanation as she spoke. "Honestly, I wish I could just become Elliot's mom. Every time I see him like this during an episode, my heart aches so much I can barely stand it!"

I let out a cold laugh.

An episode? It was nothing but lust.

"Elliot, it's been half an hour. Your 'treatment' should be done by now, right? There's been a stampede at the square. There are over a dozen patients waiting in the ER."

Elliot's expression soured instantly, his brows knitting together. "Don't try to use the hospital to pressure me! I know full well that you just can't stand seeing me with Diana!"

"Exactly!" Diana chimed in right after him. "If there were really patients, how could the hospital not notify us? I'm receiving treatment here. So, stop getting in the way."

The stampede happened 20 minutes ago, and 15 patients had already been rushed to the hospital. Every doctor was so swamped in the ER that no one had the time to send out notices. Besides, it wasn't like they hadn't tried calling.

My gaze flicked to Elliot's phone lying on the chair, which had been set to silent. He never answered my calls whenever he was with Diana.

I had no patience to waste on him. "So, you're not going to the ER?"

"That's right. It's New Year's Eve, and I'm spending it with Diana." Elliot's voice carried a chill. He lifted his chin as he gazed at me imperiously with his arms crossed. "But I might reconsider it if you're willing to get Diana a teaching assistant position at the hospital."

Hearing that, I turned and walked out without another word.

…

Before entering the ER, I replied in the group chat to the hospital director's message asking for a headcount of the doctors on duty that night.

'Elliot is busy "treating his condition" in the on-call room and refuses to report to the ER. All other doctors are present.'

'What condition does he even have?!' the hospital director fumed. 'We're short-staffed right now!'

I typed my response slowly. 'You'll understand if you check the on-call room yourself.'

Then, I muted my phone and stepped into the ER.

…

By the end of the night, we had taken in nearly 20 patients. I ran back and forth until my hands trembled from exhaustion, only managing to rest at nine the following morning.

By then, a disciplinary notice about Elliot had already been posted in the hospital lobby.

'Elliot Cladwell—engaging in misconduct and violating hospital regulations—hereby issued a severe warning!'

It seemed Elliot and Diana had been caught red-handed the night before.

Elliot walked out of the hospital director's office, his face grim as he glared at me.

"I should've known you wouldn't let this go with your petty mindset! Are you happy now that the whole hospital knows? You've dragged our entire family's reputation through the mud! Diana was supposed to apply for a teaching assistant position next month, but now the director has rejected it. What do you plan to do about this?"

The accusatory tone grated on my ears.

Diana tugged at his arm, her eyes reddening. "Amber, you really went too far this time. Even if you're jealous of how close Elliot and I are, you shouldn't take it out on his future…"

She wiped her tears, her voice softening into that of a doting mother.