Chapter 2

2.

After parting ways with Audrey, I immediately dialed a number I had kept saved for months.

"I am getting a divorce. Does the research fellowship offer abroad still stand?"

A delighted woman's voice answered from the other end.

"Of course it does! The moment you confirm, I will submit your fellowship application right away. But you have to clean up your mess at the hospital first."

I gave a quiet hum of agreement, looking down at the resignation letter in my hand.

When I handed the letter to the hospital director, he looked at me with deep conflict in his eyes.

"Sean, we all know you would never make a rookie mistake like that."

"I know damn well who actually performed that surgery. I only placed you on administrative leave to let the media storm pass before bringing you back."

I shook my head, my resolve unwavering.

"Director, I know the board is in a tough spot. My resignation is the cleanest way out for everyone."

He let out a heavy sigh and finally signed the paperwork.

As I stepped out of the executive office, Audrey walked up with Jesse in tow. She glared at me, her brow furrowed in disdain.

"What are you doing back here? Do you have any idea how toxic your name is right now?"

Before the words fully left her mouth, a group of furious people charged down the corridor straight toward me.

"Sean Mercer, you butcher! Give me back my wife's life!"

The husband of the deceased patient swung his fist with blinding fury.

Caught off guard, I was slammed hard against the tiled floor, the metallic taste of blood instantly filling my mouth.

Audrey instinctively lunged forward, pulling Jesse tightly against her chest to shield him.

"Do not be afraid, Jesse. I am right here. Nobody is going to hurt you."

In that split second, a distant memory flashed through my mind.

Years ago, when we were both junior residents, an enraged family member who could not get a specialist slot stormed the clinic with a hunting knife.

Because I was the fellow on duty, the man screamed and lunged straight at my throat.

Audrey threw herself between us without a second thought, taking three brutal stab wounds meant for me.

Those three stab wounds missed her vitals, but they left her with chronic, aching back pain every time it rained.

Back then, she had stroked my cheek and whispered, "Sweetheart, if anything happened to you, my heart would hurt a thousand times worse than these scars."

Now, that protective instinct was still alive in her, but the man wrapped in her embrace was no longer me.

The grieving family rained blow after blow upon me, channeling all their agony into violence.

I wanted to push them away, but seeing their raw, tear-streaked faces filled with unimaginable grief, I could not bring myself to fight back.

When they finally exhausted their strength and walked away sobbing, I gripped my bruised ribs and slowly hauled myself off the ground.

Audrey looked at the blood dripping from my chin, a flicker of guilt crossing her eyes as she stepped forward to steady me.

"Let me clean and dress your wounds. The online backlash is insane right now, so do not come back to the hospital. Just leave everything to me."

"No need. I can handle it myself..."

Before I could finish, Jesse let out a trembling, pitiful whimper behind her.

"Audrey... If you leave with him, what am I supposed to do?"

"Every time I see an angry mob, my PTSD acts up so badly. I will need to see my therapist as soon as my shift ends."

Audrey dropped my arm immediately and turned back to him.

"Then... find a nurse to patch you up. Jesse gets terrified easily, and he needs trauma counseling after a scene like this. I have to take him now."

A sharp pain tore through my ribs, keeping me from standing straight.

Watching her hurry away with Jesse, I let out a mocking chuckle at my own foolishness.

I laughed at the fact that I had actually felt a tiny flicker of hope when she reached out to help me.