Chapter 3
The paper slipped from Randy's hand, and he froze.
He instinctively lowered his gaze to the paper.
The writing on it was startling.
Callie also stopped crying and looked at me in terror.
Randy murmured, "No way, you're always so healthy."
He picked up the medical report, his hand shaking a little. "When did this happen?"
I shook off his hand and let out a cold laugh. "It was when you kicked me out of the operating room.
"It was when you were holding your precious Callie, telling her not to be afraid.
"Randy, if you'd slapped me just now, you might be staring at my corpse right now."
Randy's face turned pale as a sheet.
He opened his mouth, like he was about to say something, but the words wouldn't come.
He panicked. "Zola, I didn't know..."
I cut him off. "You didn't know?
"I told you my chest hurt, and you said I was pretending.
"I begged you for help, and you told me to stop getting in the way.
"Randy, if it had been me lying dead on that operating table today instead of the patient, would you have kicked my corpse and made me get up to celebrate Callie's return?"
Randy's eyes flickered with conflicting emotions.
It was as if I'd exposed the darkest corner of his heart.
Randy's panic only lasted a few seconds.
He quickly went right back to acting like he was above it all.
He gripped the medical report as if it were contaminated.
Randy scoffed, "Zola, you'd even forge a medical report to get out of this?
"Joseph from the Department of Cardiology and I go way back. You really think I can't check this out?"
I looked at him, and whatever hope I had left inside me was gone for good.
It turned out that in Randy's eyes, I wasn't some jealous woman, and I was a liar, too.
Callie finally realized what was going on.
She wiped away her tears and nervously grabbed Randy's sleeve.
Callie said, "Randy, maybe Zola's scared.
"I mean, this accident was pretty serious. It's only natural she'd want to come up with an excuse.
"Don't blame her, okay? If anyone has to take the punishment, I'll do it."
I had seen all those fake innocent moves before.
Sure enough, Randy's heart went out to Callie even more.
He turned his hand over and held hers. "Don't be ridiculous. This is her fault. Why should you take the blame?
"Zola, I'm calling the medical department right now.
"Faking medical records and bailing in the middle of a crisis? You can kiss your license goodbye."
He pulled out his phone and dialed right in front of me.
His eyes sparkled with vindictive glee.
I stared at him quietly and suddenly laughed. "Randy, you're so pathetic."
He paused mid-motion. "What did you say?"
I said, "You ruin your own wife's life for someone so useless that she doesn't even know how to use the anesthesia machine.
"You really think that if you get rid of me, she'll be able to take my spot?
"Do you believe you could've saved that patient without me?"
I took out my phone and hit play on a recording.
It was the whole blame game I'd caught around the corner.
Callie admitted she screwed up, and Randy promised she wouldn't have to face any consequences.
The audio was sharp and unmistakable. It cut right through the room.
Randy's face turned livid. "You recorded us? How dare you!"
He lunged for my phone, trying to grab it.
I backed away, holding my phone out of his reach.
I said calmly, "I've sent it to my lawyer, and I've also sent a backup to Kevin's email.
"Randy, I'm done with you in this lifetime. I won't play your games anymore.
"I'll send you the divorce papers.
"As for the medical accident, I'll see you in court."
With that, I turned and walked away.
Randy's frantic shouting and Callie's panicked screams rang out behind me.
When I stepped out of the hospital, the sunlight hit me hard.
I took a deep breath.
It felt good to be alive.
But deep down, I knew this was only the beginning.
Randy was the kind of guy who'd get revenge for even the smallest slight.
He'd never let me walk away unscathed.
When I got home, I quickly packed up my stuff.
This house, with all our memories, felt suffocating.
Our wedding photo was still on the wall.
In the picture, I was smiling with happiness, while Randy looked emotionless.
Looking back, I realized I'd already lost from the start.
I took the wedding photo off the wall and smashed it hard onto the floor.
The sound of glass breaking was crisp and strangely satisfying.
It was like my heart, shattered, and finally dead for real.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
I thought it was Randy coming back to cause trouble.
But when I looked through the peephole, it was the cops.
The officer said, "Ms. Zola Finch? We've had a complaint.
"Someone's reported you for intentionally injuring a patient, causing them serious harm.
"You'll need to come with us."
I opened the door and stared at the stern-faced cops. A chill swept through me.