Chapter 2

The elderly folks waiting in line gossiped and muttered among themselves. "Hey, young man, this is a hospital. Everyone's waiting their turn. How can you just cut in line?" one of them called out.

"Yeah. She looks fine to me," another grumbled.

Norman's face darkened as he snapped at the crowd, "Quiet, all of you! She's fragile. She can't take this! If something happens to her, are you gonna take the blame?"

I pushed through the crowd and walked right up to him.

I said, "Mr. Walker, this is a public hospital, not a private clinic. The emergency entrance is over there.

"If you really think she's having an emergency, take her to the ER and get her checked in for treatment. This is the check-up center. We only do routine exams here."

Norman's face lit up when he saw me, as he'd spotted his last hope, but my icy tone made him hesitate for a moment.

"Claire, you're just in time! Quick, take a look at Emily. She says her chest hurts. Is it her heart?" he asked.

He set Emily down on a nearby chair, handling her like she was a piece of fragile porcelain.

I glanced down at Emily.

When she saw me, she shrank back, trying to hide behind Norman, her voice shaky, almost crying.

She said, "Dr. Sutton, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cut in line. I felt really bad all of a sudden. If my brother was still around, he'd totally carry me through the line."

That one line hit Norman right in his soft spot.

Norman instantly stepped in front of her, shooting me a glare. "Claire, you're a doctor. You're supposed to help people, aren't you? Can't you show a little sympathy? She's suffering!

"Her brother died saving me! She's always been delicate, and she can't take any stress. Can't you see her first?"

All eyes immediately landed on me.

Staying perfectly calm, I took out my stethoscope and, not bothering to ask Emily's permission, placed it firmly against her chest.

"Breathe in," I said.

Emily glanced nervously at Norman, then put on an act and took a dramatic breath.

"Breathe out," I instructed.

I put away my stethoscope and looked at Norman, my face completely blank. "Heart rate's 80, steady rhythm, no murmurs."

"She's got a healthy color and steady breathing. Honestly, Mr. Walker, her heart's in better shape than yours."

Norman was taken aback. "But she said she was in pain."

"It's just in her mind, or maybe she's got a bit of gas," I said, hanging my stethoscope back around my neck. "She's fine, so she can get in line with everyone else."

Emily's tears started falling right away. "Dr. Sutton, I know you don't like me, and you probably think I'm an eyesore. But I really don't feel good. How can you brush me off like that?"

Norman's temper flared instantly. He snapped, "Claire! Since when did you get so heartless? Emily's my benefactor's family. She's like my own sister.

"You're a doctor! Even if you don't want to help her, how can you be so petty at a time like this?"

Using my position for personal revenge? I was so furious I couldn't help but laugh.

I pulled out the health risk analysis report I'd compiled for him. It was meant to persuade him to take a break and focus on his health.

I said, "Norman, is that what you think of me? That my medical judgment is just me taking it out on you?"

Norman shot back, pointing at Emily. "Isn't it? She's crying from the pain! And you won't even write her a test order!"

"Fine. If that's what you want," I said, nodding.

Right in front of everyone, I tore the report I'd slaved over for three nights straight into two pieces, without a second thought.

"Norman, since you don't trust my expertise, from now on, whatever happens to you. It's none of my business," I said.

The torn pieces drifted to the floor. Norman looked down and could barely make out the words "severe ulcer" and "recommended leave" among the scraps.

His pupils contracted, and he reached out, trying to grab me. "Claire, what is this?"

I stepped back, dodging his hand. "Nothing, just some scrap paper," I said.

I turned to the head nurse. "Who's next? Send them in."

"Claire!" Norman called out behind me.

I didn't look back.

Emily was still whimpering. "Norman, is Claire mad at me? Did I mess everything up?"

"It's fine, it's not your fault," Norman replied, a little annoyed. "That's just how she is. She is too bossy for her own good. She'll be fine in a couple of days."

Norman said I would be fine in a couple of days. But this time, there was no fixing it.

*****

It was July, the night before Typhoon Hazel was set to hit.

The whole city was smothered in heavy, suffocating heat, and the sky was so dark and heavy that it felt like the end of the world was coming.

I was in the ER, checking the supplies for the typhoon, when my phone suddenly rang.

It was the caregiver for my mom, her voice shaking with panic. "Dr. Sutton, please come quickly! Your mom can't breathe. Her face is turning purple."

The saline bottle slipped from my hand and hit the floor with a loud crash.

"Don't panic. Did you call 911? Get her on oxygen. Give her the red pill by the bed. I'm on my way!" I shouted.

My mom had severe heart failure and had been on the transplant waiting list for a year. She was barely hanging on with machines and meds.

I rushed out, dialing Norman as I went.

All the hospital ambulances were out, my car was in the shop, and with the storm going wild outside, there was no way I could get a cab.

Norman was at his company headquarters nearby. He had a car, and he could get me to my mom's place faster than anyone else.

The phone rang once, twice, three times.

Finally, he picked up.

"Hello? Claire? What's wrong?" Norman's voice came through, mixed with the sound of rain.

I blurted out, "Norman! My mom's having an episode! There are no ambulances left. Can you come pick me up? I'm at the hospital entrance. It's just a ten-minute drive, please."

This was the first time in two years of marriage that I'd ever begged him for anything.

There was a brief pause, then Emily's voice came on, shaky and almost in tears. "Norman, it's thundering! I'm really scared. The window's rattling. It feels like it's about to burst open."

Norman sounded uncertain. "Claire, I'm at Emily's place right now. I don't think I can make it over."

My blood ran cold. "Are you serious right now?"