After the Storm

"Patient's family! Who's the family of Kathryn Wells?

The patient was in critical condition. Multiple organs were ruptured, and she had a clotting disorder. The surgery was extremely complex. The family needed to prepare themselves."

The doctor's words hit me like a bolt of lightning. I nearly collapsed.

"Doctor, please, you have to save Kathryn!"

"There were only three surgeons in the city capable of performing her operation. Dr. Winchester and Dr. James were abroad for a conference. That left only Hank Thorpe. If he could take the case, there might still be hope."

Hank's name sparked a flicker of hope in me.

He was my husband.

"But Dr. Thorpe was on vacation..."

The doctor's words echoed in my ears. My only thought was to reach Hank immediately.

"Beep... beep..."

"Beep..."

After two hang-ups, the call finally connected.

"Hank, get to Central Hospital now. Your mom's in trouble!"

A slow, casual female voice answered. "Hey, it's you, right? Hank just stepped out to grab some medicine for me. He's not here."

Her intimate tone made it sound like she and Hank were the real couple.

2

I recognized that voice. It was Roselyn Fletcher.

She was Hank's unattainable first love. Hadn't she moved abroad? Why was she with him?

I pushed those questions aside. There was no time to dwell on their relationship.

Urgently, I said, "I'm Hank's wife. His mother is in critical condition. When he gets back, make sure he calls me!"

Five minutes passed. Then ten. Then fifteen...

I checked my phone repeatedly. No messages came.

Unable to wait longer, I called again.

Roselyn answered once more.

"Is Hank still not back?"

"Oh, he's back. He's in the kitchen washing fruit for me."

My anger flared beyond control.

"Didn't I tell you his mother was in trouble? I said to have him call me! Why is he washing fruit?"

Roselyn sounded startled by my outburst. Her voice took on a wounded tone.

"I told Hank you wanted him to call. He said to ignore your calls."

That sounded like something Hank would say.

I took a deep breath to steady myself.

"Please get him now..."

Before I could finish, Hank's irritated voice cut through.

"Nelly, what's your problem now? I'm finally on a break, and you have to ruin it?"

3

I refused to argue. Coldly, I said, "Kathryn's been in an accident. The surgery is high-risk. The other two surgeons who could do it are abroad. Get to Central Hospital now!"

Instead of concern, he grew angrier.

"Nelly, that's enough! I don't know how I was ever foolish enough to marry you! Cursing my mother just to get my attention? That's low! My mother is perfectly fine! She'll outlive you!"

Before I could respond, he hung up.

I called back. He hung up again. Eventually, he turned off his phone.

"How's my mom?"

Olivia Wells, Kathryn's daughter, rushed over, her face streaked with tears.

Before I could explain, the operating room doors swung open.

"Kathryn Wells' family! Have you reached Dr. Thorpe?"

My expression said it all.

"The patient was hemorrhaging heavily. This was a critical condition notice. Please sign it."

Olivia grabbed the nurse's arm in disbelief.

"A critical condition notice? How could this happen? She was fine this morning! Please, you have to save her!"

As the operating room doors closed, Olivia curled into a helpless ball.

"Nelly, what are we going to do? Where's my brother? Is my mom really going to be okay?"

Olivia had just graduated college. She had never faced anything like this.

I knew I was her only anchor now. I had to stay strong.

The priority was finding Hank. His phone remained off.

I recalled him mentioning helping a colleague move recently. Now I suspected it was no colleague.

I had to take a chance.

4

"Olivia, I'm going to find your brother. Stay strong. Kathryn needs you. Call me if anything happens."

Using fragments of past conversations, I tracked down the neighborhood.

I only knew the building number, not the floor or apartment.

The property manager brushed me off.

Gritting my teeth, I knocked on every door.

I climbed over ten floors. Sweat soaked my hair.

When Roselyn opened the door, she saw my disheveled state.

"Nelly?"

She seemed surprised I had found her. Her gaze held a hint of disdain.

"You look rough. Want to come in and rest?"

She reached to help me, but I had no patience for pleasantries. I brushed her off. "Where's Hank?"

She gasped and collapsed to the floor. "Ouch!"

Hank rushed from the bedroom, concern etched on his face as he helped Roselyn up. "Roselyn, are you okay?"

Roselyn lowered her eyes, her face full of grievance. "I'm fine. I think Nelly's just upset about something urgent. I lost my balance."

Only then did Hank look at me.

Instead of guilt for being caught, his eyes burned with resentment, as if he wanted to tear me apart.

"How did you find this place? Are you spying on me? I never realized how scheming you were! You even pushed Roselyn. I should call the police!"

5

I couldn't believe these words came from the man I shared a bed with.

I hadn't even touched Roselyn, but I knew he wouldn't believe me.

"Hank, if you have any conscience, come with me now! Kathryn is in the hospital, waiting for you to save her!"

He acted as if he hadn't heard me. He patted Roselyn's head soothingly before turning back.

"Enough, Nelly. You've become a compulsive liar! My mother is fine. She's not in any hospital! You keep wishing illness on her. No wonder you lost both your parents. It's your punishment!"

His words stabbed my heart like a knife.

He knew my parents' death was my deepest wound, yet he used it against me.

My anger boiled over.

"I'm not here to fight! Kathryn was in a car accident. She's in surgery, fighting for her life. The critical notice has been issued! Olivia is at the hospital waiting!

Get to the hospital now! You've made it clear you're done with me. Fine. Once this is over, we'll divorce. I won't stand in your way!"

My resolve seemed to shake him for a moment.

Roselyn spoke softly. "Nelly, you shouldn't joke about Kathryn's health. If it's as serious as you say, why hasn't Olivia called Hank? Doesn't she care more about her own mother?"

Her words reassured Hank. His expression hardened again.

6

I had no time to waste on them.

"You don't trust me? Fine. Trust your own sister. Call Olivia now and ask if I'm lying!"

Hank hesitated but pulled out his phone. He dialed Olivia. A robotic voice answered.

He tried three times. Same result.

"You tried to trick me with Olivia, but she's too honest to lie. That's why she's not answering!"

"You have nothing left to say!"

Hank's face darkened. His eyes dripped with disgust.

A bad feeling gnawed at me.

"Hank, I'm begging you. Trust me just this once! Just this once! You hate me, right? If you come with me today, I'll agree to a divorce immediately. You can be with her!"

Before Hank could respond, Roselyn looked offended.

"Nelly, how could you say that? I've never tried to come between you and Hank. Even if you two split one day, that's your issue. You can't blame me."