"This isn't the time for this. Glenda is lying in the emergency room!"
"And how is that my problem? Chester, what makes you think I'd willingly bleed for the homewrecker who ruined my marriage?"
My eyes dropped, cold and mocking, to the seat he'd just been sitting in.
The lace underwear sitting there, stained with something I didn't want to name, proving Chester Delgado's betrayal plain as day.
I got out and started to walk away. He seized my arm and dragged me into the hospital by force.
I fought him every step.
"Chester, I am not giving blood!"
I dug my nails into his arm. "Let go of me!"
But the difference in strength between us was too vast. Even as my nails bent back from the force of my grip, I couldn't break free.
Inside the hospital room, Chester grabbed IV tubing and bound my wrists so I couldn't run.
He pulled it tight. The sharp pain traveled along every nerve and settled somewhere deep in my chest.
A nurse wheeled in the blood-draw equipment, shock and hesitation plain on her face.
"Sir, this is..."
He cut her off instantly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Leave it. She's emotional—I restrained her so she wouldn't hurt herself. Draw the blood. The type's a match."
The nurse looked at the scene in front of her and couldn't stop herself from speaking up.
"But she only just had a miscarriage. Drawing blood now could do real damage to her body..."
Chester interrupted impatiently. "Enough. Glenda's situation is more urgent."
"My wife can be looked after properly later."
Those careless words—an ice-tipped blade, slipped between my ribs and driven straight into the softest place in my chest.
I stopped struggling. I let them push the needle into the back of my hand.
Warm blood flowed through the clear tubing into the collection bag.
Even that wasn't fast enough for him. He snapped at the nurse to switch to a thicker needle.
He stared at the filling bag, not bothering to hide how badly he needed every last drop.
When the draw was finished, the nurse pressed a cotton swab over the puncture and spoke gently.
"Ma'am, please get plenty of rest. Avoid any strenuous activity for the time being..."
Before she could finish, Chester had already snatched the blood bag and was running toward the emergency room.
He didn't look back at me once.
I don't know how long passed before the light above the emergency room went off.