Chapter 3
The next day, I headed back to the hospital and spotted Vanessa Castillo in her white lab coat. Connor King tapped her on the shoulder and introduced her to me.
“Ashlynn, Vanessa’s back, and I’d like you to show her the ropes from now on.”
I nodded, deciding not to say much else. But Vanessa quickly started offloading her workload onto me.
First day back, she called in sick. The second day, she handed her surgery case to me. By the third day, she asked me to cover her shift because Maggie had been crying all night...
I did five surgeries back-to-back, barely keeping it together, and finally asked for some time off.
Connor turned down my request. “Ashlynn, her situation is tricky. Please support her.”
I glanced at the overcrowded emergency room, forcing a smile and nodding. All right, I’ll help. I’ll give it my all.
I helped until I didn’t even get a chance to grab a bite to eat, helped until I was crouched on the emergency staircase at night, sick to my stomach, while the world spun around me.
Eventually, I fell ill. A fever of 102 degrees, my stomach felt like it was being twisted by knives, and breathing hurt.
While dragging myself to another department to get medication, I bumped into Vanessa.
She looked vibrant and full of life. Upon seeing me, she handed me the baby bottle she was holding.
“Ashlynn, I was just looking for you. The staff told me you’re great at preparing baby formula. Maggie’s been crying for her dad all day, but you know Connor, he’s up to his ears in work. So, I hoped you could help me...”
I returned the bottle, a painful throb pounding through my temples.
“I’m not feeling well.”
Seeing me brush her off in front of others, her eyes instantly welled up with tears. “If you don’t like kids, you can just say so... There’s no need for excuses.”
Connor appeared behind me at that moment.
With Maggie crying at the top of her lungs, his brow furrowed. His first words weren’t about my constant overtime but rather a cold reprimand.
“Vanessa is still getting back on her feet; couldn’t you just lend a hand?”
My heart sank. “I have a fever, 102 degrees.”
He paused, touched my forehead.
“Go home and rest. I’ll bring you your medication later.”
Vanessa spoke softly, "I'm sorry. I panicked because the baby was upset, and maybe Ashlynn isn't a fan of kids. I won't ask for her help again..."
Connor sighed, picking up Maggie to calm her down. “A fever doesn’t warrant giving attitude. You’ve scared the baby.”
I clenched my fists tightly, nails digging into my palms, keeping myself from losing control right there.
That night, in a feverish haze, I got a call from my mother-in-law.
“Ashlynn, Maggie... she’s a King family child. You shouldn’t take out your frustrations on her.”
The fog in my fevered mind cleared instantly, leaving my heart in icy pieces.
“I didn’t.”
“Vanessa said you let Maggie cry all night... We’re not taking sides, but since you can’t have children, you should try to be more open-hearted.”
Hanging up, the scar on my abdomen throbbed, tears silently falling.
Connor entered then, removing the fever patch from my forehead, adjusting the blanket.
It’s always this way, his care hovering just above the surface.
Yet even if it’s only at the surface, he never sees my tears.
In two days, I would be gone.