Chapter 4

Everyone's eyes snapped toward the isolation room. Just moments ago, Erica's chest had been rising and falling, but now, it lay utterly still. The ECG monitor showed nothing but a straight line.

"Dr. Dahmer, when did you become so cold and greedy?" Lionel shouted. "The Scarvers treated you like family. Fine, you can be ungrateful, but to seize this moment to claim all the hospital shares? Are you even human? Look at yourself. You are nothing but a bottomless, bloodsucking leech. You make me sick."

Lionel turned to offer Michelle some comfort. "Mrs. Scarver, don't worry. I promise I'll do everything I can to save Dr. Scarver."

Hearing his passionate words, the medical staff couldn't help but start clapping. A few hesitant claps came first, then more joined in, until the room was filled with a rhythmic wave of sound.

Riding the wave of applause, Lionel lifted his chin and stared at me. "Dr. Dahmer, this is your last chance. Are you really going to let her die?"

I let out a cold laugh. "Why would I go in? The contract hasn't even been signed yet, and even if it is, she still has to divorce me afterward. What's the point of all this? Besides, how do I know you wouldn't deliberately infect me with the virus and get me killed?"

Lionel's face fell, shadowed with disappointment and grief. He held up the monitor and said, "Dr. Dahmer, I always admired you in medicine and dreamed of following in your footsteps. I never imagined you could become like this.

"I never meant to harm you, much less take your place. I was wrong about you."

While Lionel donned his protective gear, ready to step into the isolation room, the crowd around me erupted in curses and angry murmurs. The live stream went berserk, and the comments erupted into chaos by what he had said.

"This is straight-up murder. Who cares that she's his ex? Anyone in her state should be saved. He's clearly trying to profit while putting her life at risk!"

As I scrolled through the comments, flashes of Erica and all our shared struggles hit me. Thinking of how she had stayed by my side through everything sent a faint ripple through my chest.

I gave in. Lionel would save her anyway. I might as well go along and play my cards right. Maybe Erica would be moved, or at least I would get a little extra in the divorce.

Just as Lionel was about to step into the isolation room, I called out, "You're right. I went too far. I'll go in and save Erica."

Surprise flashed across Lionel's face, and a strange light glinted in his eyes. The crowd froze, staring at us in disbelief. I reached into the pocket of my white coat and pulled out a small device, holding it up for everyone to see.

"Doctors in our hospital have died from infections before," I said steadily. "To avoid that, I worked with a medical equipment company to add vital sign trackers to every protective suit. This remote lets us read the data instantly and locate the infection faster."

Before anyone could react, I pressed the button. A hush fell over the room. Everyone was too shocked to say a word.

Suddenly, a shrill alarm pierced the air, echoing through the hallway.

I froze, staring in shock at the figure pushing frantically through the crowd. "Honey, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the isolation room, fighting for your life?"