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They were strangers,not my patients.
I frowned."Ma'am,is there a misunderstanding?I don't know you."
The women behind her hurled rotten eggs at me.
"Stop yapping!We've gathered enough evidence to confront you publicly!"
Foul egg yolk dripped from my hair to my lips.
Swallowing discomfort,I tried to reason.
As I opened my mouth,the patient stepped in front,shielding me.
"Everyone,is there a mistake?Dr.Lawson's a wonderful person.She spends all day treating us,skipping meals.How could she be the villain you're describing?It's a misunderstanding."
The woman scoffed,shoving the patient aside.
I lunged to steady her,fearing she'd fall.The woman seized the moment,kicking me in the waist.I collapsed in pain.
"If you continue this nonsense,and I'll call the police!"I shouted,furious.
She laughed,growing bolder."Call them!I'll tell the cops you seduced my boyfriend.You seduced him,spent his money,and acted shamelessly while working in a hospital.Isn't it enough to earn money here?Did you have to target my man too?"
They outnumbered me.I reached for my phone to call for help,but a man behind her snatched it,tossing it out the door.
It was lunchtime.The waiting area was empty,staff off eating.
"Until we settle this,don't touch your phone."
I stayed calm."I didn't seduce your boyfriend.I've been married for years."
She spat."Married?So what?Maybe your husband's no good,and you,unsatisfied,go after other men."
"My boyfriend's rich,handsome,from a good family,lives in a mansion,drives a luxury car.A small-time doctor like you could never afford that life,so you set your sights on him.Shameless!"
She kept hurling insults—homewrecker,slut.
Even my patience snapped.
"If you're so sure I seduced him,show me proof."
She smirked arrogantly."Fine,since you asked,I'll show you evidence.Let's see what you say then."
She pulled a stack of photos from her bag,throwing them at my head.They scattered on the floor.
I saw photos of me with my husband,our chat logs,bank transfers.
Shocked,I asked,"How do you have my husband's photos and our chats?"
Slap!She struck my face hard.
"Your husband?That's my boyfriend!He never told me he was married.He's going to marry me.You're the shameless homewrecker,acting all righteous!"
Incredulous,I said,"Nathan Carter's your boyfriend?He told you he's not married?"
"Duh!"
Though I didn't want to believe it,pieces clicked.My heart churned with mixed emotions.I gave a bitter laugh.
I stood.The patient,unfazed by their accusations,spoke up for me.
To protect her,I pushed her behind me.
"Since this is about Nathan,let's not make a scene in a hospital.Call him over,and we'll sort it out.How's that?"
I offered her a way out.Nathan and I were legally married,with a ceremony and families present.
If she was exposed as the mistress,it'd be humiliating.
But my consideration was mistaken for fear.
