Chapter 4 The Price of Truth
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Elena returned to the hospital a week later.
She'd already lost her brother and the man she loved—there was no way she'd lose her career too.
So, while Brandon was away at the SWAT training camp, she quietly slipped out of the villa and came back to work.
But the moment she stepped into the hospital, all eyes were on her—and not in a good way.
She knew why. A few days ago, the Harris family had completely flipped out in the hospital.
Their son, Chloe's younger brother, had died from a lodged fishbone. His name was Ethan Harris, and ever since his death, his family had gone nuts, storming into the hospital multiple times. The whole place was talking about it.
People were whispering that Elena was all show and no substance—that she couldn't even save a guy with a fishbone in his throat. The consent form they'd signed before the procedure? Everyone was treating it like scrap paper.
But Elena knew exactly what had happened that day.
Sure, it hurt to lose a young life, but she didn't believe she was to blame.
“Sophie, I've got a major surgery this afternoon. Can you help me prep?” she said, slipping on her lab coat, adjusting the collar with practiced ease.
Sophie Carter, the head nurse and someone Elena usually got along well with, fumbled with a few medication bottles, nearly dropping them. She looked uncomfortable.
Elena stopped. “What's wrong?”
Sophie sighed, “Elena… that surgery? The chief already assigned it to someone else. Look, we all know it wasn't your fault, but the patient's family's been relentless. Honestly… maybe you should just leave for now. If the Harris family finds out you're here, things could get ugly again.”
Elena's hand froze halfway through fastening her buttons. Her gaze lifted slowly, lips parting as if to speak, but nothing came out at first—just five words: “I'll talk to the chief.”
Before she could take a step, a shrill voice pierced the corridor.
“That's her! That woman killed my son!”
Before Elena could even react, she was shoved forward—her forehead smacking hard against a cabinet in front of her. She winced, clutching her head, and looked up to see a furious woman in a fur coat, eyes swollen from crying.
Diana Dawson. Chloe's mother.
“It's because of you, you quack! My son died! My daughter landed in the hospital from grief! And you dare call yourself a doctor?”
The usually composed woman was now like a wild animal, charging at Elena.
But this time, Elena didn't just stand there—she caught her arms and held her back.
“Get your facts straight. You were the ones freaking out and insisting we remove the fishbone immediately. You even refused an X-ray.”
“You rushed through the consent forms like they were optional. We explained all the risks in detail. No matter who handled that surgery, the outcome could've been the same. There were multiple surgeons in that OR. Why am I the only one you're blaming?”She tried to pull her arm back, but out of nowhere, the woman just dropped to the ground dramatically, bawling like she'd been shoved on purpose.
Sophie was right there and saw everything clearly. “Excuse me, ma'am? That was totally on you! Dr. Cooper didn't touch you.”
Diana gave Sophie a death glare from where she sat on the ground, then burst into even louder cries, her wails attracting a crowd quickly.
Just then, a woman in hospital clothes squeezed through the gathered people.
“Mom, what happened?” Chloe helped her mother up slowly, though her eyes flicked over to Elena, watching her like a hawk.
“Don't worry, Mom. Even if my brother's gone, you still have me. I won't let anyone bully you.” That last part, Chloe practically spat out through gritted teeth.
Elena blinked at her, completely speechless. Bully? Who's bullying who here? She couldn't help but roll her eyes hard.
The last thing she wanted was to waste time with these entitled drama queens. She just wanted to leave.
But after just two steps, a hand blocked her way.
“Hold it right there! You think you can just walk away after bullying my mom? Like you're some ‘death-by-fishbone' doctor or what?”
The onlookers all started whispering, eyes darting toward Elena with suspicion.
Sophie tried to say something in Elena's defense, but Elena gave her a quick shake of the head and a small smile. Don't. Not worth it.
At this point, speaking up would only put them both against the crowd. And Elena didn't want anyone else dragged into this mess because of her.
She turned to face Chloe, stepping closer with every word. “First of all, your mom approached me looking for a fight. Second, your brother's death? Had nothing to do with me. And third...”
She suddenly stopped talking. Spun around, grabbed a glass of cold water off the desk, and splashed it right into Diana's face. Gasps erupted all around as Elena shoved Diana without blinking.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Chloe screamed and darted to help her mother.
“Oh please,” Elena shot back. “Since y'all already think I'm the villain, might as well play the part, huh? Chloe, you think no one sees through you? You ruined my life. But guess what? You'll pay for that.”
Chloe froze.
Elena never wasted sympathy on people who didn't deserve it, and this woman? Not even close.
Three months ago, Brandon left the country on assignment.
No sooner had he gone than men started hunting her down. She would've been dead if her brother hadn't stepped in at the last second.
She always believed her brother would keep her safe, but in the end, it cost him everything. He died in that fire.
When she woke up, he was gone. And suddenly, Chloe was engaged to Brandon.
Right before her brother died, Elena had accidentally seen Chloe meeting with the leader of a criminal organization.
Her gut screamed that Chloe had something to do with his death. And Elena? She wasn't the type to stay quiet. She didn't forgive. She got even.
- Escritor
