When The Ward Fell Apart

Early the next morning, the official notice transferring me to logistics was sent to every department.

At the morning meeting, the charge nurse slammed the table so hard it shook.

"Some people damage the entire department's reputation for their own selfish reasons. And now you can all see the result.

"Don't learn bad habits from her. Don't think that being a senior employee means you get special treatment. Everyone in this hospital is equal."

The young nurses did not dare breathe too loudly. They only stole curious glances at my still-flat stomach.

I ignored all of it and focused on packing my things.

The eight excellence certificates I had once been so proud of went into the bottom of the box.

When I carried my things out, not a single person came over to help.

Even though I had covered countless night shifts for them.

Even though I had taught them, hand by hand, how to work in the operating room.

Only the charge nurse looked up at me.

She said, "Grace Walker, you'll regret this. But it'll be too late."

What I wanted to say was, I would not regret it.

The ones who would regret this were them.

As I placed the box onto a small cart, Valerie Stone swept into our department.

It looked like she really had fewer shifts now. Otherwise, she would not be this free.

Valerie held a handful of chocolates and handed them out to the young nurses one by one.

"I wanted to celebrate the good news with everyone. Take some—a little treat to share the baby's good luck around."

For a moment, everyone in the department started speaking.

"Dr. Stone, don't worry. Your baby will definitely be born safe and healthy."

"That's right. You're so pretty. Your baby will be beautiful too."

The charge nurse was the loudest.

"In my opinion, some babies really do know how to choose their mothers.

"Being born to Dr. Stone means a lifetime of blessings. Being born to someone else? Not necessarily."

I gripped the handle of the cart, my lips pressed tightly together, and said nothing.

Valerie walked over with a smile and shoved the last few chocolates into my hand.

"Nurse Walker, I heard about what happened to you. Take some for good luck.

"Good luck with your next pregnancy."

"It's not my next pregnancy," I said calmly, lifting my head.

"I've already applied to transfer to logistics. I'm going to give birth to this child.

"Dr. Stone, your uncle reduced your shifts for you, so of course you weren't working and didn't hear the news."

Valerie froze. Her face turned red, then white, as if she had not expected me to say that relationship out loud.

I did not look at her again. I pulled my things and walked out.

But before I could take another step, the charge nurse's furious voice rang out behind me.

"Grace Walker! Wait!

"Did you take something you shouldn't have? Put it down!"