This Time, I Played Differently

Before I could unleash a comeback, Ms. Lockhart burst out of the ER, her face pale and tight. "Did you get him?"

I just shook my head.

She muttered, "Doctor Dover is the worst."

"Ms. Lockhart!" someone shouted from inside. "The patient's heart has stopped! Get the defibrillator!"

The words slammed into me like a brick. Her heart stopped?

I froze, my mind blanking out for a second. But then, adrenaline kicked in.

Without thinking, I bolted for the elevator, jamming the button for the top floor.

The hospital's big conference room was up there. At this hour, the hospital director and department heads would all be in a meeting.

When the elevator dinged, I sprinted out and burst through the conference room doors.

Spotting Ben's superior, Doctor Lowe, seated among the group, made a beeline for him. Without a second thought, I dropped to my knees.

"Doctor Lowe, please," I begged. "You've got to save my mother-in-law! She's dying in the ER!"

His face darkened. "Aren't there doctors in the ER? Why are you up here instead of with them?"

"I'm Doctor Dover's wife," I blurted, tears streaming down. "The doctors said only he can do the surgery she needs, but he won't come! You're just as skilled—please, I'm begging you!"

Moved by my desperation, the hospital director finally intervened, instructing Doctor Lowe to check on Eleanor's condition.

After hearing the details, his expression grew even darker and he muttered a low curse.

"Has Doctor Dover completely lost his damn mind? It's bad enough he's unreliable, but his own mother?

He turned to me, his tone softer but still firm. "Don't worry. I'll handle this."

He pulled out his phone, offering a few reassuring words before dialing Ben. The line connected fast.

"Doctor Dover," Doctor Lowe barked, "wherever you are, drop everything and get back to the hospital. Your mother's having a heart attack, and you're the only one who can save her!"

On the other end of the line, Ben's voice was thick with disbelief. "Doctor Lowe? Are you seriously falling for Winona's theatrics? I can't come back right now.

"Don't let her drag you into her nonsense—she'll say anything when she's jealous. My mom's fine! I checked her heart this morning; she's in perfect shape.

"This is just another stunt to get me home, but I'm not playing along. My advice? Stay out of it. Anyway, I'm busy. Goodbye."

Before Doctor Lowe could fire back, the line went dead.

His face darkened like a storm cloud. He redialed, but the call wouldn't go through. Ben had turned off his damn phone.

"That brat! Has he completely lost it?"

Doctor Lowe, usually calm and collected, let the expletive fly. His knuckles turned white as he clutched his phone, looking like he was about two seconds away from snapping it—or strangling Ben.

Then, my phone suddenly blared to life.

"Alright, everyone, you heard that, right? This is actually happening," came the voice of Mr. Hero from the livestream. "If anyone in the city sees Doctor Dover, please let him know."

That's when it hit me—the livestream was still running.

Everything. Ben's dismissive rant, Doctor Lowe's fiery reaction—every word had been broadcast live.

I glanced at my phone. The viewer count had exploded to 30,000, and the comments were flying faster than I could read:

[I thought this was some kind of hospital drama at first. I was ready to call her out, but whoa—this took a turn!]

[Ben Dover? More like Ben Done-for. His mom's dying, and he's off with his mistress? Someone hold me back before I punch this guy.]

Seeing the comment, I quickly said, "Please, don't hurt him! I'm begging all of you—don't do anything like that."

Then, I handed my phone to Doctor Lowe and knelt down in front of the camera.

"Everyone watching this livestream, I'm begging you—please help me find Doctor Ben Dover. My mother-in-law has always been so kind to me. I can't just stand here and watch her die. Ben, if you're watching, please. If you come and save her, I'll do anything you ask."

I pressed my forehead to the ground, my sobs shaking me as I pleaded. Around me, I could feel the weight of people's eyes, some even brimming with tears.

Someone whispered bitterly, "What kind of monster forces his wife to do this just to save his own mom?"

But even that wasn't enough.

Half an hour later, Eleanor was pronounced dead.

Her lifeless body was wheeled down the hall to the morgue. Ms. Lockhart rested a hand on my back, her voice soft but thick with emotion. "Don't blame yourself. You did everything you could."

I clung to her, sobbing uncontrollably. "Ms. Lockhart, she's gone! I don't have mother-in-law anymore!"

Her voice cracked as she held me tighter. "You gave it your all. This isn't your fault."

"Winona."

A familiar voice came.

I looked up. Johnny stood there, his face hollow and tired.