Chapter 48 #3
“Kaori,” I forced my voice to sound professional, “I checked your results, and you're doing very well. You'll probably be discharged this week. We'll keep you informed, okay?”
I headed for the door. If I stayed one more minute, I wouldn't be able to keep it professional.
“That wasn't my intention, Kyller,” she repeated, alarmed.
“Don't worry, everything will be fine.”
I walked through the door and shut it behind me, not wanting to hear another word.
I was so shaken it took me a few seconds to notice the nurses scattering around me, as if fleeing the scene.
Some were laughing and trying to look away.
I realized they were laughing at me and had probably heard the conversation through the door.
My eyes filled with tears, and I walked quickly through the corridors, not seeing anything in front of me because the tears blurred everything.
I could only think about the way he held her, the affectionate tone he used every time he talked about her.
“Just a friend and second-in-command.” I started laughing as I walked, tears streaming down my face. “Just a friend.”
“Kyller?” I heard Ambrose call out, and I stopped in the corridor in front of the hospital’s glass exit doors. “What happened?”
“Did you know?” I asked, my voice choked, as he approached. “Did you also know that Kaori is Zion’s ex?”
My chest ached so badly I couldn’t breathe. Ambrose’s eyes filled with sadness.
“I knew, Kay, but...”
“You all knew. The entire hospital was making fun of this situation and no one was honest enough to tell me?” I asked, sobbing. “You were all laughing at me!”
I turned toward the exit and strode away.
“Kay! That’s not true. I didn’t tell you because I thought it was between you and Zion. I assumed he’d already told you, and I didn’t want to bring it up and upset you.”
Ambrose followed me, but I refused to stop.
“I don’t want to hear it. All of you...” I gestured toward the hospital. “You all laughed at me... And worse! You were all waiting for the moment I’d kill the girl.”
“Wait, Kay. Where are you going? That’s not true...” he protested as we pushed through the double doors.
“I’m going home. I’ve got overtime saved up and I’m using it now.”
I crossed the street furiously.
“Wait, I still have something to tell you,” Ambrose said awkwardly, following me. “I know it’s not the best time, and it would’ve been easier if you’d done what I asked and stopped by my office before seeing Kaori, but now that everything’s gone sideways, I might as well say it now.”
I stopped beside Rosnir’s statue and turned to face him, crossing my arms and waiting for him to speak. He looked sad and distressed.
“It’s about Kaori’s surgery,” he began, stumbling over his words. “The medical board heard about the successful procedure and sent reporters to cover the story.”
My eyes widened in surprise.
“At least some good news!”
Ambrose fidgeted, hands in his pockets, and bit his lower lip.
“So, the problem is...” He looked at the hospital, then at me. He took a deep breath and blurted it out. “The problem is the hospital doesn’t want your name associated with this achievement. They’re handing the credit to me. I’m going to give the interview in your place.”
My mouth must have dropped open so wide I’d need a dentist to put my jaw back in place.
“What? They can’t do that!” I shouted indignantly.
Ambrose flinched at the sound of my voice.
“Actually, they can, Kay. I tried to argue yesterday when I found out. I tried to appeal to justice and legal rights, but you’re an intern, you haven’t graduated yet, and you don’t have citizenship status.
So they can.” Ambrose looked upset and uncomfortable as he told me.
“Mr. Yamamoto also asked me to take over the case. He believes it’ll be easier for Kaori if you’re not the one taking care of her. ”
It felt like the ground had vanished beneath my feet, and I was afraid to move for fear of falling into the bottomless pit that had opened in my heart. I looked at the hospital, clenching my hands into fists. I didn’t even know what to feel, but between sadness and anger, I chose anger.
“Bunch of ungrateful sons of bitches!”
“I’m sorry for telling you like this, but it seemed better than letting you find out through the news.”
I shook my head and turned to leave. I knew if I didn’t get out of there, I’d end up taking my anger out on Ambrose, and he didn’t deserve that.
“Take off the lab coat—you’ll get a fine,” he called, coming after me.
Wearing the lab coat outside the hospital was against the nation’s rules.
The fabric could be contaminated with human viruses or bacteria, and walking around the streets with it could spread contamination to the human population.
I unzipped it and tossed it to him. Ambrose stopped in the middle of the square, stunned for a moment, holding the lab coat in his hands. Then he shouted after me:
“If you need to talk, I’ll be here.”
“I don’t want to talk. I want to punch someone.”
And that someone was very specific in my mind.