4
542words
My parents,in-laws,and Nathan were by my bed.
Nathan saw me stir,rushing to cup my face."Honey,you're awake.Anywhere else hurt?"
I avoided his touch,my eyes filled with cold indifference.I was waiting for an explanation.Seeing my reaction,he remained silent, not daring to speak.
My mother,whose eyes were already red from crying,couldn't hold back any longer.She walked up and slapped Nathan several times.
"Nathan Carter,look at what you've done!Your affair brought that woman to attack my daughter,ruining her hands!If Claire's hands are permanently damaged,the Lawson family won't let you off!"
My mother-in-law shielded Nathan,snapping at my mom.
"What's with you,attacking my son?Isn't your daughter at fault too?Always working,never home to care for her husband.He just made a mistake any man might!"
I laughed bitterly at her words.
"What a perfect example of a mistake every man makes."
I glared at Nathan."Where's your little girlfriend?She was so bold.Not here to taunt me now?"
Nathan tried to explain."Honey,Vanessa's young,immature.She made a mistake.I'll find the best doctors worldwide to treat you.I've already scolded her.You shouldn't scare her like this."
Scare her?
I couldn't believe that woman would be scared.
I never imagined my husband would betray me,let alone defend another woman to my face.
Although I was just a department head,my family had influence.
After we married,they gave us a mansion,a luxury car,and my brother James quietly backed Nathan's startup.
Now,with his business thriving,he thought he was untouchable,disregarding my feelings to protect another woman.
"Nathan,you're shameless.Cheating and still defending her to my face."
"I know you're protecting her,but I won't let her off for what she did to me."
Nathan's expression changed.
"Honey,she just hit you.Your tendons are repaired.Once you recover,we'll deal with her.Stop saying things in anger."
He still wouldn't admit his fault.
What kind of heartless man did I marry?
I sneered."I can recover,but do you know how many patients are waiting for my surgeries?"
Nathan scoffed,"What do their lives matter to me?It's better if you can't perform surgeries."
A crash sounded at the door.Something shattered on the floor.
It was Sarah Mitchell,the patient who'd defended me.
She stood frozen,eyes wide with fear,lips trembling.
"Dr…Dr.Lawson,I…I came to check on you.Your hands…can they still perform surgeries?"
Her last words were barely a whisper.
I was worried but couldn't answer.
Before my injury,I'd have confidently reassured her.Now,I was silent.
A surgeon's hands are everything.
Only I knew that while the tendons could be repaired,hand function wouldn't return to its pre-injury peak.
Nathan hadn't expected a patient to visit.He tried to shoo Sarah away.
"Can't you see my wife's recovering?People like you,pestering her,caused this!"
Furious,unable to hit him with my hands,I kicked his back.
"Nathan,shut up and get out!"
I looked at Sarah,concerned."Don't overthink.Go home and rest."
Sarah pressed,"Doctor,can I still have surgery next week?Next month?The month after?"
Her legs wobbled.I stayed silent.
The room fell quiet.
Sarah bit her lip,turned slowly,and left.
My mood was too terrible to offer the comforting words I used to give.
"Nathan,let's divorce.You leave with nothing.Everything that belongs to me, I will take back. As for your girlfriend, I won't let her off."
Nathan exploded."Claire Lawson,enough!A doctor picking fights with a young girl?"
My brother,rushing in from out of town,overheard and punched Nathan.
