When He Dumped Me in a Fire

Adalind’s P.O.V

The soft glow of my desk lamp illuminated the stacks of patient medical records spread across my desk. There was a dull ache throbbing at my temples as I forced my eyes to focus on the words. I was so tired today and after the last call to a burning house where I had to resuscitate a baby who had been locked in the room, I was ready to call it a night.

“Adalind!” Monroe’s voice cut into my concentration and I gasped, startled.

“Jesus, you scared the living lights out of me, Roe!” I snapped, rubbing at my thumping chest.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Monroe chuckles lightly and I glanced up to see him leaning against the doorframe.

“Or maybe I’m just tired after a long ass day,” I replied flatly, rolling my eyes at the look on his face.

“Nope, we both know you’re a work machine.” he persisted, furrowing his brows. “Remember when there was that crazy epidemic in the city and you worked five nights in a damn row without taking a break. Look, is it Nick? You know you can talk to me about it.”

“Don’t you have some unconscious patient to cut into?” I rolled my eyes again.

He shook his head and gave me a look that said he wasn’t going anywhere until I said something.

I sighed heavily, massaging my temples with my thumb. I needed to change something, and fast. I couldn’t bear to stay here, in this fucking place.

“Actually, Roe,” I began in a steady voice despite the turmoil in my chest. “I was wondering…is there any chance of transferring to the headquarters in another city? Maybe a change of scenery would do me good.”

Monroe’s brows climbed up but there seemed to be pride in his eyes as he nodded at me. “I’m glad you actually brought that up. Your initiative to work even harder never fails to please me. There are quite a few doctors who are truly passionate about the craft like you.”

He was no longer the concerned friend at that moment. He was the senior doctor and director of the medical rescue team of the fire department, fishVille.

“Thank you, sir.”

“There’s an ongoing project that I didn't tell you about because I figured your entire life is here in FishVille.” Monroe pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Since you are clearly willing to relocate, I’ll recommend you for the project.”

“Thank you so much, Mr. Badger.” I almost gave him a hug right then. “Could you tell me what the project is about?”

“Well, they are just handpicking the best and most excellent doctors to create a team to send up to the headquarters,” Monroe explained and my chest tightened in happiness. “You’ll need to apply for it personally…” he trailed off and an uncomfortable look slipped into his eyes. “Are you truly sure about this? You would have to separate from Nick.”

I hid the smile that threatened to spread my lips. “Don’t worry about that sir. I’ll apply for it.”

Just then, my phone vibrated against the wood of my desk, alerting me to a text message.

“Excuse me, sir,” I said to Monroe before picking it up. He said a few words and exited my office, leaving me alone.

It was a text from Juliette.

My lips instantly pressed into a tight line as I opened the inbox. What met my eyes as I scrolled through the chats made it burn with angry tears. There were numerous photos of Nick and Juliette having the best time on the beach. His hands kept moving to more intimate places on her body in the pictures where Juliette was clad in a two-piece bikini.

My phone vibrated again with a text from her that read…

–Nick and I are rekindling what we had and he’s never been so happy as he is with me. You know what to do, clown.

My teeth ground together with rage and I almost threw my phone across the room. Gathering myself, I blocked the number, dropping my phone on the desk.

I buried my face into my palm, my shoulders trembling as I fought to control my emotions. They weren’t worth it. And now, it all made sense. I’d seen a letter in Nick’s bag where he asked for an extended leave from his job. He clearly took the leave so he could spend time with his ex-girlfriend.

The tears I was fighting to hold escaped as I remembered how I begged him every time to take me to the beach, or a trip to Hawaii to see the beautiful sea life. I even promised to pay for his own trip. But Nick had always replied that he was busy. I guess I wasn’t the one he wanted to enjoy a vacation with.

The signs were there, but I had been too blind to see them. As they always say, men would never make excuses, unless they don’t want to do it.

I was such a fool.