Elaine's POV
“Did you hear what happened? A woman came into the ER in the middle of the night with something stuck... inside!”
A nearby nurse leaned in, eyes gleaming with gossip. “I just saw her! I think her boyfriend carried her in. And get this. He looks all cold and uptight, like the reserved, no-fun type. Never would've guessed he was into kinky stuff behind closed doors.”
I frowned as a small group gathered, whispering excitedly.
So, I call them out. “Seriously? Have you all forgotten the hospital’s privacy policy? We don’t gossip about patients.”
Before I could say more, someone from the ER rushed over, grabbed my sleeve, and practically dragged me down the hall.
Expecting a tough case, I followed. But just outside the ER, I stopped short at the sound of a whiny, tearful voice from inside.
“I don’t want a male doctor! No, no, I won’t let a man do it!”
I reached for the door, ready to step in. But then I heard a voice I knew all too well, speaking gently.
“Don’t be scared, Laura. I already told them to find a female doctor for you.”
My hand froze mid-air.
But the doctor next to me, unaware of my hesitation, pushed the door open. And there it was. The scene inside hit me like a punch to the gut.
My husband of six years was holding a young woman, whom I had been financially supporting, in his arms. He was gently patting her back, comforting her like she meant the world to him.
I held back the tears burning at the corners of my eyes and forced myself to speak in a trembling voice.
“Milton, is this what you meant by sponsoring her? Right into your bed?”
——
The room fell deathly silent.
A fellow doctor, stunned, instinctively let go of the door. It slammed shut with a bang, jolting everyone back to reality.
Seeing their stunned faces and barely concealed panic, I sneered.
“What? Surprised to see me here?”
Tears streamed down Laura Fox’s face like they cost nothing. She looked at me with wide, pitiful eyes, stammering an apology.
“I’m so sorry, Elaine. Please don’t get the wrong idea. I was just scared, so I called Milton.”
Before I could respond, Milton West stepped forward, placing himself between us. His expression darkened with irritation as he interjected, “She’s still young, and she’s scared. She’s not feeling well. You don’t need to be so harsh.”
But noticing the look on my face, he softened his tone a little. “Anyway, good thing you're here. Laura really doesn’t want a male doctor. Can you just help her with the removal first? I’ll explain everything later.”
I drew in a deep breath, trying to keep it together. My colleagues were watching. I didn’t want them to see me break.
“In the eyes of a doctor, there’s no gender. All our ER staff are professionals—”
Milton didn’t let me finish. He cut me off, brows furrowed in frustration.
“Can you not make a scene right now? She’s in pain. Can’t you be more considerate?”
The tension was thick enough to cut with a scalpel, so one of the other doctors quickly tried to mediate.
“It’s just a simple hysteroscopy. Should I call one of the other OB/GYNs on duty?”
Milton looked like he was about to say something. But then Laura let out a carefully timed groan of pain, making his face instantly change and say, “No. Let Elaine do it. Laura can’t wait much longer.”
Everyone in the room turned to me, waiting for my decision.
I looked across the room at the man who had turned his back on me, now comforting another woman. I had no interest in dragging this out any further. So, I turned to the nurse and gave a crisp instruction.
“Prep the OR. Set up for a hysteroscopy. Give the patient local anesthesia.”
As I turned to leave, Milton grabbed my sleeve with agrim on his face.
“Wait. Where are you going?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and met his eyes without flinching.
“To prep your precious Laura for surgery. That alright with you?”
With that, he looked away, avoiding my gaze, the crease between his brows deepening.
