Saving the World to Save Myself

Those words used to comfort me, but they were now a knife stabbing into the weakest part of my heart.

Jeffrey realized what he had said, regret flashing in his eyes.

"Still, you have to pay for trying to ruin Elaine's reputation!

"Come with me to apologize to Elaine and take her place as a volunteer doctor, and we'll forget this ever happened!"

I squeezed my eyes shut. "I didn't do anything, so why should I say sorry?

"In three days, she won't be a part of my life anymore!"

Jeffrey was so worried about getting back to Elaine at the hospital that he did not really hear what I said.

He just snapped at me harshly before hurrying off to take care of her.

I stared at the tiger plushie on the table, felt a pang of sadness, and tossed it into the trash.

'Jeffrey, you'll get your wish for our lives soon enough!' I thought to myself.

...

The next morning, I found a gift box right outside my door.

I did not even need to open it to know it was Jeffrey's way of saying sorry.

After seven years of marriage, I knew him all too well.

I picked it up and threw it straight into the trash can.

When I looked up, I caught Jeffrey's eye.

He saw what I had done. He swallowed hard and gave me a sad smile.

I kept my cool, ignored him, and called a cab to the hospital to get my things from the office.

I wanted to surprise Jeffrey in response to his past stubbornness.

I kept my resignation as Chief and my new role with Doctors Without Borders a secret from everyone—except Elaine.

I figured that when Jeffrey realized I was gone in two days, he and Elaine would be thrilled to finally be together without me bothering them.

As I walked past the hospital garden, I saw a man and a woman.

Jeffrey was spending time with Elaine in the sunshine, helping her during her recovery.

He knelt in front of the bench, gently rubbing her calf.

He asked softly, "Does it hurt here? Looks like you might need more calcium.

"Don't push yourself too hard in Eastoria. I've asked a friend to look after you."

I could not stand watching them.

Elaine spotted me and quickly turned her gaze my way. Her smile was fake, like she was trying to start a fight, and she said in a sweet, fake voice, "A little higher… My thigh kinda hurts."

Jeffrey did not know what to do. He did not want anyone to misinterpret his actions.

While Jeffrey was still confused, Elaine grabbed his arm, bent down, and kissed him.

Elaine and I looked at each other for a moment.

Her eyes were saying she was sure she would get Jeffrey in the end.

However, I did not make a scene like I usually would.

I just looked away first, laughed quietly to myself, and walked off.

Jeffrey turned around quickly and caught sight of my stiff side profile walking away.

He ran after me, out of breath, and said, "Carol, don't get the wrong impression.

"There's nothing going on between her and me. I didn't think she'd just... kiss me."

I saw the nervous sweat on his forehead and smiled like I was not bothered.

"You don't have to explain anything to me."

Jeffrey looked worried. Even though I was acting calm like he wanted, he felt like he was missing something.

I did not wait for him to say more. I just turned and walked away fast.

I left Elaine's angry expression behind me.

...

The next day, before my flight, I received a call from a number I did not recognize.

Elaine's loud voice hurt my ears.

"You witch! Did you come over yesterday to show off, thinking Jeff cares about you? That's funny!

"Let me tell you this: Jeff only cares about me. He thinks of you as just a sister, so you’d better stay away from him."

I listened to her crazy voice and laughed a little, as if I knew something she did not.