Chapter 3 The Transfer She Stole From Me

Natalie snapped, "Liam, that's enough!"

A sharp gust swept past my face.

I lifted my head and let the tears slide down my cheeks, waiting for the slap. However, the pain never came.

Natalie's phone rang.

It was Noah's special ringtone.

Her eyes shimmered with tenderness that couldn't be concealed, and her voice grew softer. "What happened? I told you to stay put. You don't need to cook."

A faint, wounded sob came through the speaker.

I guessed Noah must have tried to cook for her and hurt himself.

Natalie immediately began coaxing him in that soft, patient voice. "Okay. Don't worry. I'll postpone the surgery."

Then, she added gently, "You're the only person I love. There won't be anyone else."

Her voice was so tender.

To me, it was unbearable.

I turned away and curled under the blanket, letting my tears soak silently into the pillow.

After Natalie hung up, she stayed quiet for a long time. Then, she reached over and tucked the blanket around me.

"Postpone it. When the time comes, I'll cover the surgery and recovery costs. I know this divorce is only happening because you're upset about not being transferred back."

She paused before continuing, "Liam, there's nothing between Noah and me. You can choose to believe me, or don't. It's your choice."

I kept my eyes closed and said nothing. Only the pillow beneath me grew warmer and wetter.

Eventually, her patience ran out.

She stood, her tone becoming icy. "Fine. Have the surgery. But if you do, you will never return to headquarters. Liam, this is my final compromise."

...

The headquarters was at its busiest point of the year.

I knew very well that surgery on my hand could affect my transfer eligibility.

Still, I didn't hesitate.

I scheduled the operation.

When I came out, pain throbbed through my wrist in waves.

Today was the day they would announce which doctors had been approved to return to headquarters.

I had to be there.

When I arrived, applause echoed through the main lobby.

"Congratulations, Dr. Bennett, on returning to headquarters to train under Chief Hart!"

Noah stood beneath the stage, giving a thank-you speech.

Natalie smiled at him, nodding again and again.

They looked like a perfect couple as they stood there.

My steps faltered.

Then, I forced my way into the crowd and asked loudly, "Wasn't the transfer list supposed to be finalized today? I submitted my application. Why was the list announced before I even got back?"

Noah smiled and pointed at the public notice board. "Dr. Hayes, doctors who've recently had major surgery aren't eligible for this transfer."

His smile widened. "Chief Walsh reported your surgery personally, so I'm the only remaining candidate."

The taste of blood filled my mouth.

I swallowed hard, fighting back tears as I looked toward Natalie.

Her gaze was flat.

"I told you to postpone the surgery," she said. "You didn't listen."

The pain in my wrist intensified.

My stomach churned.

It was as if a thorn was scraping every nerve in my body.

I trembled all over as I asked, "You told me to postpone it because you wanted me to stay behind?"

I laughed bitterly. "No. You did it because of Noah. You screened the list early. You abused your position to get him transferred back."

Natalie's eyes turned cold. "Liam, this is a hospital. The transfer list has been finalized. Stop making a scene."

Rage surged through my chest.

I had given everything just for this chance. So why was he the one who got to come back? I refused to accept it.

I rushed onto the stage, opened my phone, and sent the documents I had gathered to the hospital group chat.

Then I spoke, each word raw with pain.

"Noah was assigned to the war-zone unit for two years, but he repeatedly abandoned his post and returned to Hartwell without approval.

"He has no respect for hospital discipline.

"During his internship at headquarters, he received more than a dozen patient complaints."

"A year ago, a surgical mistake under his supervision resulted in a patient's death." I glanced at Natalie. "And you covered it all up for him. He was never qualified to come back to headquarters."