"W-What are you doing here? Didn't you go home?"
"Didn't you say you were working late and wouldn't be back for dinner?" Had she lied so much that she forgot her own story?
Sophie had been having stomach issues lately; I'd been preparing nourishing meals for her every day after work.
Today she claimed she would handle dinner herself, which is why I stayed longer at the hospital.
If I hadn't been here... would I have remained oblivious to my wife's infidelity?
Whispers filled the air as nurses exchanged glances.
"Is this really Kyle's wife? She looks familiar..."
"Is this really cheating? So blatant..."
Sophie had never visited me at work; no one knew her except for a few who had seen her photo on my phone's lock screen.
Her face turned pale as she snapped back at me, "Stop making wild accusations! You don't know anything!"
But didn't I know? What exactly was her relationship with Ethan? I advanced toward her with a cold stare. Suddenly, Ethan on the stretcher pulled at my shirt weakly, his voice barely audible.
"Kyle, don't be mad at her; we really don't have anything..."
Oh please! Even now he wanted to play the hero?
I shrugged off his grip just as he began coughing violently, his face turning purple.
With a loud thud, blood gushed from his lower body as he collapsed unconscious.
The nurses hurriedly wheeled him toward the operating room while Sophie shot me a furious glare and shouted over her shoulder, "Are you happy now? If something happens to Ethan, you're responsible!"
She followed the nurses without offering any explanation.
In that vast hospital corridor, I was left standing alone.
I raced home, floored the gas pedal, and drowned my sorrows with a bottle of liquor.
No matter the truth, I at least needed to confront them face-to-face. That's what I told myself.
At 3 AM, the doorknob rattled - Sophie was back.
With her was Ethan.
Ethan looked deathly pale, wincing with every step. Sophie helped him into the guest room.
After getting him settled, she finally noticed me sitting silently on the couch, watching them.
"You're still up?" Sophie started fidgeting, cleaning the coffee table - a clear sign of discomfort.
"The hospital had no spare beds, so Ethan's staying with us for now. You're a doctor, so it'll be easier for you to look after him."
Did I hear that right? She wanted me to care for the man my wife was entangled with?