Our Love in Ruins

While working with the search and rescue team to save people trapped in an earthquake, an aftershock suddenly struck.

Without hesitation, I pushed a hospital intern, Serena, out of the way. However, the force of the movement sent me to the ground, where a steel rod pierced my back, leaving me unable to move.

When the aftershock ended, my husband, Derrick, came down with the others.

Yet, instead of coming to me, he rushed to cradle Serena, who only had a few scrapes. Then he turned to glare at me.

“What are you still sitting there for? Are you dead? Serena’s hurt, and you can’t even help her up?!”

I was in so much pain I could barely speak, only able to force out a faint sound.

“Honey, I… I’ve got a steel rod in my back… Please… help me.”

Serena suddenly burst into tears in fear.

“Mr. Nelson, I was so scared. Just now, Ms. Jones pushed me forward. If I hadn’t shifted direction, that huge rock would’ve crushed me!”

Derrick, furious, shouted at me. “Gwen! You’re a doctor! What about your ethics? Your humanity?”

Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head. “I didn’t. Please, just save me. I really can’t move…”

One of the medical team members who came down with him checked my condition and looked worried.

“Director Nelson, the steel rod seems to have pierced her spine. If we don’t treat her now, there’s a risk of paraplegia!”

However, Derrick yanked him aside. “Save her? Let her walk herself! Gwen, we’re saving lives right now. If you want to act, I’ll put on a show with you when we get home!

“Serena’s injured. Since there’s only one stretcher, we’re taking her up. You can walk up on your own.”

His cold, departing back left me in utter despair.

He’d barely taken two steps before one of our coworkers, who’d just been checking my injuries, stopped him.

“Mr. Nelson, Gwen really was impaled by a steel rod! If you don’t believe me, go see for yourself!”

However, Derrick Nelson shoved him off.

“I know the people in your department are close outside of work, but now is not the time for your nonsense! If you keep helping her put on this little act, I’ll make sure you’re written up when we get back!”

My coworker stomped his foot in frustration. “I’m not lying! Just look at her lab coat. It’s soaked through with blood!”

Serena Moore spoke up weakly. “That blood’s from earlier, when we were treating another patient.”

Even one of the rescue team guys carrying a stretcher could tell something was wrong with me.

“Mr. Nelson, Dr. Moore only has a minor injury. She doesn’t need a stretcher. We should prioritize Dr. Jones.”

Still, Derrick threw a mocking jab my way, his eyes full of disgust.

“Impressive. No matter where you are, you’ve always got a way to charm men into lying for you!”

He then turned to the rescue worker and barked, “I’m ordering you to carry Serena out right now, or I’ll report you to your team leader!”

Then he said to my coworker, “As for you, you’re fired the moment we get back!”

By then, I could already feel life slipping away.

The blood inside me was draining fast, leaving my limbs cold and heavy.

With the last bit of strength I had, I lifted my gaze to the man I’d loved for ten years, and thought it ridiculous.

Back in medical school, I was the campus beauty with top grades. I’d turned down an offer from an overseas hospital just to be with him.

Later, when we were working, I even gave up a promotion so he could take it, willingly staying as his subordinate.

This man I’d sacrificed so much for was now standing there, watching me bleed out, unwilling to even spare me a glance.

Smiling, I slowly raised a hand to the bullet casing pendant around my neck.

With a small tug, the chain snapped. The casing clattered to the ground, bounced once, then rolled into a crack and vanished without a trace.