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519words2026-01-26 09:06

My work schedule was always flipped—days and nights blurred together,and I rarely went home,living mostly in the hospital dormitory.
My husband had been unfaithful,hiding the fact that he was married.One day,his girlfriend found a photo of me and him at his place.Enraged,she accused me of seducing him.She gathered a group of people,marched into the hospital with banners,and stormed into the consultation room where they attacked me.
They severed the tendons in my hand,ending my career as a surgeon forever.

Later,my husband contracted a rare disease with a 90% mortality rate.
Only two people could perform the surgery:one was me,and the other was my mentor,who suffered from Parkinson's.
When my patients,who'd waited desperately for my surgeries,learned his girlfriend ruined me,they went mad,hunting her down across the world.
"Dr.Lawson,can my condition really be treated with surgery?"
The patient's voice trembled with excitement,tears pooling in her hollow eyes,now flickering with hope.
I reassured her,"Please don't worry.I'm about 70% confident in this procedure. As long as you cooperate with me,there's still hope."

She dropped to her knees.I quickly helped her up.
"Dr.Lawson,you have no idea what we've been through.We've spent every penny we had,traveled across half the city for this.So many doctors told us to give up.You're our only one.With your words,I finally feel at peace."
I'd grown used to facing desperate patients daily.
I calmly steadied her emotions.

It was lunchtime,and no more patients were scheduled.
I let her sit in my office and checked my phone.
My mom had sent several texts that morning.
[Claire,are you wearing the protective vest I sent?I've seen so many tense doctor-patient stories lately.You deal with so many emotionally unstable patients every day—I can't help but worry about you.]
[Claire,it's almost lunch.Eat well at the hospital.You looked so thin last I saw you.]
Even as an adult,Mom still fretted over me.Guilt and warmth filled me.
I snapped a photo of the vest under my white coat and sent it to her.
[I'm wearing it.Thanks for your love,Mom.]
[Mom,patients treat me well.Don't worry too much.]
After replying,I scrolled through my messages.
No texts from my husband,Nathan.Our chat was stuck on yesterday's message where I'd said I wouldn't be coming home.
Disappointment crept in.
Was he upset that I wasn't returning home to spend time with him? Was that why he was ignoring me?
But so many patients need me.I have to be responsible for them.
A commotion outside the window snapped me out of it.
Several women were directing four men to hold up a banner.From my angle,I could only read the end:
[…seduced my boyfriend.Today,I demand answers from the homewrecker.]
I tried to see the rest,but the patient interrupted.
"Dr.Lawson,it's your lunch break.Do you want to grab a meal?My treat."
I declined politely."No need.I have a meal card.You'll need money for treatment.No need to splurge.Healing you is my job as a doctor."
The noise outside grew louder.I assumed it was another patient's family causing trouble.
The hospital would handle it.In a place like this,I'd seen every kind of chaos.
I unbuttoned my coat.Then the office door was kicked open.
A woman stormed in with a group.