Chapter 2
Kevin said with concern, "Whoa, you look awful. Go and get yourself checked at cardiology."
"About the surgery," I said, nodding toward the OR. "Dr. Miller said Dr. Cooper's got the skills to handle it.
"And he literally kicked me out."
Kevin's face darkened.
Everyone knew Callie wasn't all that.
She was Randy's handpicked 'overseas elite' he shoved into the team.
"This is insane. This is brain surgery. How can he replace the anesthesiologist with a rookie?" Kevin snapped.
He stomped his foot in frustration and turned to rush toward the OR.
I grabbed him and shook my head. "Sir, you know Dr. Miller's temper.
"If I go in now, it'll make things worse and mess up the surgery.
"Since he trusts Callie, let them take care of it.
"If anything goes wrong, it's on the lead surgeon."
I kept my voice steady, but inside, I felt empty.
Last time around, after I died, Randy claimed it was my error that caused the patient's death to dodge responsibility.
I became the scapegoat for the medical accident, and even after I was gone, my reputation was ruined.
This time, I was going to let him reap what he sowed and let him face the consequences himself.
I headed to the heart clinic by myself.
After a battery of tests, I was handed a diagnosis: severe coronary artery stenosis.
I sat on a bench in the corridor, watching the leaves drift down outside the window.
So, I was seriously ill.
And my husband, who promised he'd always be there for me, told me to stop faking it when I was hurting the most.
He even kicked me when I was dead.
Tears finally spilled down my cheeks.
It wasn't for Randy, but it was for the fool I'd been for ten years.
Suddenly, chaos erupted from the operating room.
Alarms blared.
The head nurse burst out, frantic, calling for backup.
She shouted, "Quick! Is the head of cardiology here? The patient in the OR is in V-fib.
"Anesthesia overdose. Dr. Miller's going ballistic!"
I sat in the corner, watching the chaos unfold with icy detachment.
So, that was Randy's precious angel. How utterly pathetic.
I didn't move.
Even with all the chaos, I stayed put on the bench.
As an anesthesiologist, saving lives wasn't just my job. It was my calling.
But the patient in there was a high-risk case Randy picked out to pad Callie's reputation.
During the pre-operation assessment, I'd already flagged the risks and suggested we play it safe.
But Randy shot me down in front of everyone to flex his skills.
He even sneered that I was too timid, not gutsy enough compared to Callie.
This mess was the price they paid for being so arrogant.
Besides, I was now a patient myself, who could drop dead any second.
Half an hour later, the chaos finally died down.
I heard the head of cardiology rushed in and managed to drag the patient back from the jaws of death.
But with the brain deprived of oxygen for so long, chances were the patient would never wake up again.
The OR doors swung open.
Randy emerged, his face dark and grim.
His white coat was spattered with blood, mask dangling off one ear. He looked completely wrecked.
Callie followed close behind, tears streaming down her face as she cried uncontrollably.
She sobbed, "Randy, I really didn't mean to.
"It was the anesthesia machine. It's totally different from what I used abroad.
"And when Zola suddenly left, I panicked."
Randy stopped, turned around, and drew her into his embrace.
His gentle touch was almost unbearable to watch.
He said, "It's not your fault. The equipment was to blame.
"And Zola walked out right in the middle of things. That's a serious medical incident.
"I'll make sure she takes the fall for everything."
I stood around the corner, hearing every word loud and clear.
My nails dug deep into my palms, but I didn't feel a thing.
This was my husband.
When things went south, his first move wasn't to reflect.
He shifted the blame to me even though I'd retired because of my health.
I stood up, straightened my collar, and walked out with deliberate calm.
"Really throwing your weight around, huh, Dr. Miller?" I said.
Randy's head snapped up, his eyes blazing with fury.
He let go of Callie and stormed right up to me.
He raised his hand, ready to hit me. "Zola, you still have the nerve to show your face here.
"If you hadn't walked out so suddenly, none of this would've happened.
"Do you even realize you've destroyed Callie's future with your recklessness?"
His slap came down, fast and hard, cutting through the air.
I stood my ground, but I grabbed his wrist with every ounce of strength I had.
"Randy, take a good look," I said.
I grabbed the diagnosis report with my other hand and shoved it right in his face.
I said coldly, "Acute coronary syndrome, severe stenosis. I could die any minute now.
"This is what you call faking it.
"And this is what you call being 'reckless'."