Chapter 1

I was the director of cardiology and had been practicing medicine for fifteen years.

That day in the hospital lobby, my husband, Sean Newman, jabbed his finger right in my face, in front of all my colleagues. "She takes bribes from patients! I have proof!"

The investigation team showed up three times, checking every record.

On the day the result was announced, the president, Warren Green, revoked my medical license himself.

I didn't say a word in my defense. I just turned and walked away.

Half a month later, in the dead of night, my phone started buzzing like crazy.

I saw 99 missed calls—all from Sean.

In the latest voice message, Sean's voice was rough and desperate. "My mom is having a heart attack! Please, come home! I'm begging you!"

I stared at my phone and answered in a flat voice.

Sean's wailing echoed through the line, full of pure desperation.

*****

I was Taylor Garcia, the head of cardiology at Stoverein Medical Center.

After fifteen years in medicine, I'd lost count of how many lives I'd saved.

I always thought my hands were meant to wrestle with death itself.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine they'd be shattered by the hands of the one I trusted most.

It was a Monday, and the hospital's morning meeting had wrapped up.

I was discussing a rare case with a few of my junior doctors.

The hospital lobby was bustling with people, sunlight filtering through the glass dome in a patchwork of light and shadow.

Then, a familiar, shrill voice cut through the calm like a poisoned blade.

"Taylor! You two-faced fraud. You even took bribes!"

I froze.

I turned around.

My husband, Sean Newman, was standing right in the middle of the lobby.

His face was red, his eyes bloodshot. He looked wild, like he was ready to burn everything to the ground with me.

Everyone's eyes snapped to me, including colleagues, patients, and their families.

Shock, disbelief, and contempt were showing on their faces, and some even looked like they were enjoying the drama.

The young doctors around me instinctively stepped back.

It was like I was covered in something filthy.

"Sean, what is wrong with you? Stop making a scene." I kept my voice low, clinging to the last shred of dignity.

He let out a cold laugh and held up a manila envelope for everyone to see.

"Me? Making a scene? Taylor, after fifteen years as a doctor, did you forget your medical ethics?

"Can you really say you've never taken bribes from patients?

"You expect me to believe those designer clothes weren't bought with money meant for saving lives?"

His voice rang out in the lobby, every word landing like a stinging slap, humiliating me in front of everyone.

I stared at him, suddenly realizing I barely recognized the man in front of me.

This was the guy I'd slept beside for ten years.

He knew when I left the house and when I got home.

He knew some surgeries were over in around three hours, while others could stretch into twelve or more.

He knew I could go three days and nights without sleep to figure out the best way to save a patient.

He should know better than anyone how much I hated and refused those dirty bribes.

He shouted, "Hey, everyone! Come see! The head of cardiology at Stoverein Medical Center, Taylor Newman, is taking bribes behind everyone's back!

"I've got the proof! It's all in here!"

He waved the manila envelope around while shouting.

The crowd started to stir, and people pulled out their phones, aiming them at us and recording everything.

Camera flashes popped, making my eyes burn.

Security rushed over, trying to stop him.

The dean, Warren Green, and several other administrators arrived, their faces grim and furious.

"Sean!" Warren barked. "Do you even realize what you're doing? Get out of here now!"

But seeing Warren only made Sean even more agitated. He was practically shaking with anger.

He shoved the security guards aside and stormed right up to Warren.

"Mr. Green, you're in time. Today, I'm going to publicly accuse my wife, Taylor, right here in front of everyone!

"She's been taking massive bribes from patients for years, abusing her position, and the sums are huge!

"Inside this bag are her records of taking money and the bank card where she hid it all!"

He threw the bag down on the floor with a sharp thud.

Several logbooks and a bank card tumbled out.

I stared at those unfamiliar logbooks, my mind utterly blank.

I had never seen any of it before.

Warren bent down, picked up one of the notebooks, and flipped it open. After a single page, his expression grew heavy and serious.

He looked up at me, his gaze a storm of conflicting emotions.

There was shock, disappointment, and a trace of heartbreak he tried to hide.

"Taylor," Warren said, his voice hoarse, "let's talk in my office."

I nodded as I started to walk, my legs feeling like lead.

While passing Sean, I paused.

I looked at him.

There wasn't a hint of guilt or remorse in his eyes.

I only saw twisted pleasure of revenge and a warped sense of victory.

"Why?" I whispered, my voice so low that it was between us.

He leaned in, whispering right back in my ear, "Because I've had enough.

"I'm sick of living in your shadow, sick of everyone calling me Dr. Garcia's husband!

"Taylor, I want you to feel what it's like to fall from the clouds straight into the mud!"

So that was the truth.

Fifteen years of my dedication and ten years of standing in the spotlight never brought him pride.

Instead, all I got from him was jealousy and resentment.

I laughed until tears threatened to spill from my eyes.

I didn't say another word. I walked out with Warren.

Behind me, Sean's wild, gloating laughter echoed through the lobby.

And all around, the stares felt like countless needles piercing my back.

I knew from that moment on, he shattered my life with his own hands.

I'd been a doctor for 15 years, saving countless lives.

But today, the person I trusted most smeared me with a stain I could never wash away.

That accusation wasn't just destroying my career. It was washing away every bit of dignity I had left.

I didn't look back, walking with a calm steadiness that felt almost unnatural.

The hem of my white coat lifted behind me, trailing like a shattered sail in the wind.

I knew the ship of my career was about to be wrecked on the rocks.

And the one who tore it apart with his own hands was my husband.